[pct-l] New PCT Hiker's Handbook: your input needed

["Brett Tucker" <blisterfree@hotmail.com>]

... interested in hearing from folks about their PCT experiences, for 
inclusion in an all-new version of Ray Jardine's PCT Hiker's Handbook...

Dear listers,

I've been enjoying all of the stories and insights from this year's PCT 
finishers, and from the others offering replies and advice. In fact, this is 
exactly why I joined the list in the first place: to learn about the Pacific 
Crest Trail from those who have hiked it, and to find out what the trail 
experience means to them. I came here knowing little about the PCT corridor. 
But by the time I set my resolve to hike part of it this year, I was 
inspired and far more aware.

It's been the responses from the PCT veterans that have made the difference, 
and by "veterans" I mean everyone with some on-trail experience, whether as 
a thru-hiker, section hiker, or what have you. I'm sure there are many 
would-be PCT hikers lurking on here who are likewise benefiting enormously 
from the experiences of all who have simply "done."

So, what if we could take some of this great information and place it also 
in a forum that would reach a much wider audience of prospective hikers? We 
could compile the insights and reflections of PCT walkers from the list, and 
present it in a way that future PCT'ers could draw inspiration from it, all 
the while planning and preparing for a hike of their own.

I'm interested in hearing from folks about their PCT experiences, for 
inclusion in an all-new book I'm editing: The PCT Hiker's Handbook THIRD 
EDITION by Ray Jardine. Ray and I are completely revising the book so that 
it will serve the needs of ALL Pacific Crest Trail hikers, from day hikers 
and weekend backpackers, to distance hikers and thru-hikers.

What could you say about your PCT experiences that might convince a curious 
reader to likewise give it a go, to put on a backpack and hit the trail? 
From those who would like to contribute, we're looking for about 1 to 3 
paragraphs worth of insight here that would answer from the following:

--------------
Have you most often visited the PCT as a day-hiker, weekend backpacker, 
section hiker, or thru-hiker? Choose whatever term you prefer to use in 
describing your approach, as a ready way for readers to identify with what 
you've done. It would be great if you could then respond to any or all of 
the following questions based on your answer here.

a) What brought you to the PCT in the first place? That is to say, what was 
the motivation behind that journey?

b) Did you find what you were after? While traveling along the route, did 
you find that your expectations aligned with reality, or was the experience 
more of a surprise and a host of lessons than a confirmation of your ideals? 
If the latter, then what did you learn?

c) Whether among your expectations or not, what can you say about the 
wilderness experience you had out there? Did the wilderness aspect of the 
trail have meaning for you, and would it be a motivating factor if you were 
to return to the PCT someday?
--------------

What we're looking for here are words of enthusiasm, first and foremost. 
Picture a person browsing around at a bookstore, knowing little or nothing 
about the PCT, then happening upon a book on the subject. Given the chance, 
what could you say to that person to inspire him or her? In just a few 
words, how would you convey the magic of your PCT experiences? How might you 
say something positive about the Trail for posterity? This is the idea!

Use your own words, by all means. Use the above questions as a reference 
point only. We would like to include a fair number of hiker comments, and I 
think it would create a better effect if each person strove to create 
something unique. So please, no filling in the blanks. Speak from the heart, 
so that a reader would think you were sincere, and would sense that the book 
were sincere, as well. Those who give it an honest effort (and remember, it 
doesn't need to be long - 1 to 3 paragraphs, max) may find their words 
published in the near future.

I'd also appreciate if respondents could make my job a wee bit easier by 
including their full name in the reply - and no trail names, please. Also, 
please include a valid e-mail address that I can reach you at, if not the 
one listed in the header.

Reply to me privately, at blisterfree@hotmail.com

If there is a hearty response from the list, and it seems appropriate, then 
I might also send the full list of replies back to pct-l, in a single, 
compiled form - for the benefit of next year's hikers.

Thanks for your help!!
- Brett Tucker




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