[pct-l] purity

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

CAVEAT: It is YOUR hike; go where and when you want by whatever route you 
want.

Sure, weather conditions, safety concerns, and natural disasters can force 
you off the "official" guidebook route. If that happens, can you still be 
pure? Sure. You didn't put all that snow there; you didn't create the flood 
that took the bridges and made the stream crossings impossible or deadly; 
you didn't convince the USFS or NPS to close that section of trail because 
of some @#$ endangered species or an active fire. Of course, you could 
always stop, enjoy a protracted lay-over, and resume when the underlying 
cause is negated, but that could be expensive in both time and money. What 
price purity?

That said, there are several beautiful alternate routes along the PCT. In 
some places, IMO, these really should be the official route instead of what 
is. (But no one asked me before they designated the official route). Some go 
to water, others to views or campsites, others to egress points, others take 
you around obstacles on the trail or let you avoid meaningly elevation 
change or crowded tourist-laden areas. I've been on some and missed others. 
Never was I disappointed by my choice.

I say again: It is YOUR hike; go where and when you want by whatever route 
you want.


Wandering Bob