[pct-l] Class of 05 thru-hike completion rate?

[rellinwood at worldnet.att.net (Robert Ellinwood)]

Hey, Scott,

Something about your David Horton quote didn't seem quite right:

>> David said something to the effect that letting *everyone* know what he
was
> doing motivated him because he didn't want to appear as a failure in their
> eyes if he quit. I always thought the concept of shaming yourself was an
> unhealthy way to motivate one's self.

So I went back to check.  Here's what he said:

"I also think that it 
is important to announce to the world and everyone that you know 
that you are planning a big adventure.  This puts the pressure on you 
to train for the adventure and to complete the adventure.  It also 
makes it much more difficult to stop during the adventure."

His emphasis was - and always is - on finishing, completing, succeeding.
I hear a more positive tone there than you did, I guess.  

BTW, your Postholer site is terrific!

Dr Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-
> bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of stillroaming
> Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 10:15 PM
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Class of 05 thru-hike completion rate?
> 
> That reminds me of something David Horton said in his interview with Dr.
> Bob.
> 
> David said something to the effect that letting *everyone* know what he
was
> doing motivated him because he didn't want to appear as a failure in their
> eyes if he quit. I always thought the concept of shaming yourself was an
> unhealthy way to motivate one's self. What is the journey really about if
> you have folks betting on your success or failure?
> 
> In the case of 'lists', the journey, much less Manning, no longer becomes
> the destination. Your name in someone's ledger is your destination. Even
> being the data processin' fool that I am, that doesn't make sense to me.
> 
> Maybe putting Elvis' name in the trail registers isn't such a bad idea.
"135
> Elvis' completed the trail this year...."
> 
> But that's just me...
> 
> FWIW, In '05 I was an utter and complete failure by every popular
yardstick.
> It turns out my destination was Cajon Pass and not a place in someones
> ledger.
> 
> HYOH,
> Scott
> 
> >>>
> It just seems to get away from the concept of journey, and the deeply
> spiritual sense of what that means to individuals. Counting sends a
message
> -- you didn't finish, so your journey didn't count. The meaning and
personal
> relevance is lost. My guess is that many hikers don't want to be counted
in
> this way, and would be appalled to know that people were betting on their
> completion.  I know I would hate and truly resent it if it was applied to
> me. Probably would avoid signing registers, just to spite 'em and to avoid
> their scrutiny and unwanted judgment of my journey.
> <<<
> 
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