[pct-l] Why Hike?

[wpsnotebook at charter.net (Richard Woods)]

I've asked myself that question too. I know there will be pain, 
discomfort, sleepless nights for some days on the trail, a bit of 
loneliness, but all that just doesn't seem important enough to keep me 
off the trail.  I think about the trail a lot. I have the screen saver 
on this computer set to randomly bring up images from a file of trail 
pictures. I drop everything to read these posts, and respond to a few. 
I know I'll just have to work later tonight.
Health. I've collected damage over the years that has slowed me down, 
and it gets harder and takes longer to heal back up again.   But I hike 
because this body was meant to move. Walking far suits me just fine.
Solitude. I need to interact with a few people, but crowds get on my 
nerves. Sure, I like a game, a performance, a good restaurant, but I 
also like a retreat to peace and quiet too. More of the latter I guess.
Beauty. I appreciate a fine work of art, a complex musical arrangement, 
the craft of good writing.  I think I appreciate the random beauty of 
shadows racing over the Minarets, the rumble of river falls in the 
night, the story of animal tracks in the mud around a spring just as 
much. Which do I prefer? That's hard do qualify. They're apples and 
oranges. Both kinds take effort of one kind or another to experience 
and appreciate.
Simplicity. On the trail, living is a very simple routine. Walk, pick a 
stopping place. Find water. Make shelter. Eat. Sleep. Wake and eat, 
anticipate more walking, when to stop, what is ahead, where to find 
water, shelter, where to sleep. Keep an eye on the weather, monitor my 
health, watch the scenery roll by. That's it.
Challenge. I can walk ten or twenty miles because it needs to be done 
if I want the rewards above. I do. The challenge is to keep going, 
ignoring the discomfort, overcoming the obstacles. I know I can do the 
tedious part of walking 2,600 miles. The discomfort will pass, if I 
have the determination to overcome it.