[pct-l] yellow blazing

[metam01 at earthlink.net (Monty Tam)]

Thanks Mags
Yellow Blaze?
Sure.  I have no problem with a mile or two.  
This year I took a, Highly Suggested by the guide book, road walk alternate
SOBO into Cascade Locks.
Post Office closing soon for the weekend, the owner of the ice cream store,
my real reason for the alternate, said "My husband is driving into Cascade
Locks right now."  I finished my pint of Ben and Jerry's(or was it two
pints?) and hopped into the truck.  11 miles of roadwalk?  Only competing
against myself, I'd do it again....maybe.

Last year a hitch ended WAY off track 20 miles north of my destination. 
Double stress fracture, I cashed in on it.  I made it up as part of this
year's hike.

My goal is 97-98% of the trail.  Your mileage may vary.

Warner Springs Monty


> [Original Message]
> From: Paul Magnanti <pmags@yahoo.com>
> To: PCT MailingList <pct-l@backcountry.net>
> Date: 10/21/2005 9:37:00 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] yellow blazing
>
> Funny how AT terms have seeped into the overall trail
> culture. Heck, I've even heard of people "blue
> blazing" on the PCT...when there are no blazes. :)
>
> Anyway, I think the "standard" definition of yellow
> blazing is to skip a portion of the trail by hitching.
>
>
> I must confess, I think I missed .25 ( or maybe even
> .50 !)miles total of the PCT. My hitch did not drop me
> back off exactly where I orginally exited the trail.
> I've been living a lie the past three years. If I was
> REALLY hard core, would have crossed back over the
> road, THEN started my hike for the morning.  :)  
> (--tounge firmly planted in cheek here folks!)
>
> A nice part of the western trails culture in general
> is the accepted nature of taking alternate routes.
> More of what I call the "corridor approach". The CDT
> is the best example of this type of approach. Not just
> a single trail..but a network of trails (or jeep roads
> or cross country routes) that get you from A to B.  
>
> I know of very few hikers who did NOT take the
> "unofficial" Eagle Creek route outside of Cascade
> Locks. What I find interesting is when AT alumni start
> talking about "purity"...in a culture that really does
> not have this concept. 
>
> Of course, when this discussion is all said and done
> *MAYBE* 1000 people in the world really know/care what
> were are talking about. ;-)
>
> Back to my morning coffee...
>
> Mags
>
>
>
> ************************************************************
> The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
> caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
> --Thoreau
> http://www.magnanti.com
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