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[pct-l] Re: ATML Down but not yet out (fwd)

Here's a message I posted to the AT-list about being overwhelmed with 
stuff to do the week or two before the big hike.  It would probably be 
easier to understand if you read the last part first and the first part 
last (?). 

Jeremy Rice

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 06 Mar 1998 08:40:30 -0700 (PDT) 
From: riceje@AURORA.CWU.EDU
To: Epleyhead <Epleyhead@aol.com>
Cc: atml@trailplace.com
Subject: Re: ATML Down but not yet out 

ATML--A place to discuss AT issues with friends in friendship!



David,

Don't worry about feeling overwhelmed, it happens to many thru-hikers 
right before the trip.  It's probably a combination of stress, 
excitement, lack of sleep, and that nagging feeling like you really don't 
know what you're getting yourself in to.  I remember that I was up until 
about 3 AM the night before I left on my thru-hike doing all that last 
minute stuff.  Yes, there is a lot of preparation involved, but once you 
get on the trail and actually start hiking, most of this "last-minute 
stress" evaporates and you'll start enjoying yourself and thinking more 
positively about the adventure that awaits you in the coming months.  Just
don't stress out too much, nobody is ever TOTALLY prepared to do a thru-hike.
You don't need to be totally prepared anyways.  As long as you have the pack 
on your back (hopefully without leaving some needed piece of gear at 
home), you can buy/borrow/mail anything to yourself along the trail.
  
Fear is a very natural reaction when people do something new, especially 
something that they've planned on for so long and means so much to them.  
Fear is actually very healthy, cause without fear you might make a stupid 
mistake in the backcountry. So like I said, don't worry about it.  During 
this next week, try and think about the POSITIVE reasons that you are 
trying to accomplish this dream.  Let these positive emotions help you 
accomplish all the last-minute details that you need to get done before 
the trip.  Remember, if you forget to do something before the hike, 
it's not the end of the world.  You can always work something out while 
you're on the trail, or at the first town you come to.

Also, try and get everything done a day or two before you leave, so that you
aren't totally stressed out when you hit the trail.  Get a good night's 
sleep, start out easy, and enjoy your first day on the trail!


On Fri, 6 Mar 1998, Epleyhead wrote:

> ATML--A place to discuss AT issues with friends in friendship!
> 
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> I'm having a completely unexpected problem:
> 
> I'm leaving in one week for Springer to begin my thru-hike (March 12, night of
> the full moon) and have found that I am letting myself get so overwhelmed by
> everything I haven't done yet, and my general fears about the hike that I have
> a sense of dread whenever I think about it! Gone is the feeling of expectation
> and freedom of adventure, except in occasional glimpses. PLEASE HELP!  Has
> anyone else experienced this right before their hike? I sure could use some
> words of encouragement.
> 
> thanks,
> 
> davidE
> 
> 
> **********************************************************
> Contact ATML list administrator at admin@trailplace.com
> To withdraw from list, see http://trailplace.com/lists.htm
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> 


**********************************************************
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