[pct-l] Solo hiking

[rbelshee at hotmail.com (Rod Belshee)]

In 2004, from Crater Lake north Manning Park I hiked four days with others, 
and hiked 45 days alone. I would have prefered more time with others.

Early in my PCT hike I looked forward to the solitude, with the hope of 
clearing the mind and spiritual contemplation. However for me, this was 
incompatible with hiking 20 miles a day. A few days in a meditation retreat 
are much more conducive to such pursuit rather than hiking. True, I was able 
to leave all the bustle of the world behind and to be in a natural setting. 
However the need to remain alert, the internal push and plan to accomplish 
the daily milestones, and the natural elevation of mind and body activity 
levels were in opposition. Much more effective is to sit on a meditation 
cushion.

Loneliness? Maybe. Probably more just regretting the opportunity to interact 
with some really quality people on the trail. I do okay by myself, but there 
were some fascinating people on the trail that I'd like to have spent more 
time with. That's why I'd try to hike more with others next time.

Safety? A concern. When I hiked through the Glacier Peak area, for example, 
I waited for someone else to show up rather than attempting to cross High 
Pass alone.

Steady Sr.