[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [pct-l] room 4 everybody
- Subject: Re: [pct-l] room 4 everybody
- From: "Mike \"Snoop\" Paton" <snoop@erols.com>
- Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 00:00:28 -0500
Quote from Owen:
>I think most of us on the list fit that general category whether we're
>thruhikers or not. I've been through this argument more than once - it
>generally leads into the idea that thruhikers are no different than
>anyone else and therefore are not "special" and deserve no more
>consideration or respect than any other backpacker. And the argument is
>"partially" (but ONLY "partially") true even though it's invariably
>presented by someone who has not and probably will not ever be a
>thruhiker. Thruhikers are not supermen - and they're not "special".
>But they are different - and they do have experience that others lack -
>and that some people want - and want to know about. And they do
>something "different" than those who consider themselves backpackers.
>Not "better" - but definitely different.
>
>The last time we went though this, it came down to somebody's bright
>idea that thruhikers shouldn't take pride in what they've done because
>it makes others "feel bad about themselves". I believe that's what's
>called a "Politically Correct" idea. It's also nonsense.
~~~~~~~~~
I agree that there are a number of people out there that feel thruhikers are
not that special. When I meet other hikers, and if they know about my
thruhiking experience, most show respect by asking the usual questions
followed by the "...I wish I could, but..." When it comes to gatherings
though, this is when one is proud to be a thruhiker. You can relate to and
bond with other thruhikers, compare stories, and truly know what its like to
be among the few.
The draw back, there's not a high proportion people that hike at all,
period. So explaining why you took 6 months off "to live in the woods" gets
to dull the "specialty" of being a thruhiker. There's not many people who
can relate, or even comprehend the idea. I just avoid the subject when ever
possible.
<Owen>Thruhikers are not supermen - and they're not "special".
Thruhikers may not be supermen, but they definitely are special (among
themselves mostly). Thruhiker friendship is among the tightest I've ever
known. I keep in regular contact with as many as I can, and when I meet
another thru-hiker I feel like I'm meeting a family member.
-=# s #=-
* From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List | http://www.backcountry.net *
==============================================================================