[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[pct-l] Getting off work



A lot of emphasis on "priorities" has been made on this subject. Most of
it made from the perspective that a thru-hike is the obvious top
priority and that the rest of life can be interrupted with no regrets
being realized after-the-fact. Allow me to provide a counterview.

Sure it would be great to embark on a life altering adventure of a thru
hike. But some of us have equally, if not more exciting adventures in
the raising of families, the pursuit of careers, and the occasional
weekend or holiday travel.
A wise, old, six foot six tall friend once told me, "There's no right
way to hike the PCT". For me, a huge part of the PCT experience is
simply meeting the people I've met who are   active and enthusiastic in
and about the PCT community. Whether they're packing eight gallons of
water to a water cache, providing invaluable first-hand knowledge of the
trail to everyone else, camping in a school bus along the trail to
provide burgers and beer to hikers, or most especially; meeting another
foot-sore hiker on some wind swept ridge out in the wilderness and
hearing "So YOU'RE Oilcan!".
I have a tremendously satisfying and fulfilling career that I couldn't
possibly interrupt for six months. Wouldn't want to, I love it so!
Though I left ADZ last year with a honk of the horn and a wave as I
drove past the herd as they approached I-8 with heavy disappointment
that I wasn't on the trail with them, the depression vanished the moment
I got caught up in the first flurry of phone calls back at the office.
This e-mail list allows those of us to stay connected on the progress
(or lack of) those who intend to make it to Canada. It also allows us to
hook up with some of us for weekend hikes and to provide support in our
own way by reporting back water and trail conditions.
Until I can be like Eric and kick off retirement by staring down 2600
miles at ADZ, I'll plug away at the miles as I can and happily report
back to you all!

Gotta get back to work!


-Oilcan

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Pat
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 11:43 AM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net; Dave Blumenthal
Cc: EShoe2000@aol.com
Subject: [BULK] - Re: [pct-l] Re: Getting off work

Ya coming out to play this year?
Pat

> How does someone make the time?  Sometimes you can work out a leave of

> absence,  otherwise you just quit.  Its not that hard, and people do 
> it
all
> the time for reasons far less compelling than for making a five month 
> life changing pilgrimmage.  What are your priorities?  Sure my career 
> took a
hit
> since I hiked in 2004, but I re-evaluated what I wanted to do and have

> since had much more success both making strides towards my 
> professional aspirations and making the most of life.
>
> Just keep in mind, that in the words of Chipper, "Long distance hiking

> ruins you for work".  I have no regrets, just satisfaction and dreams.
>
> Packman
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
unsubscribe or change options:
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l