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[at-l] Self Doubt (How to help a Newbie: Update 4 - Part II)
I don't really disagree too much - certainly re this being the case for
Weary, and probably for a lot of other folks . . . but, for me, my
reactions were almost exactly the opposite! I had already extrapolated
my experiences with 7-10 day hikes out over a thru-hike, and had gotten
my mind all set for "the grind." Instead, I was positively overwhelmed
by the incredible, life-giving impact of all the new trail friends I
met, all the awesome natural scenes I experienced, all the unique trail
towns I got to visit, all the neat historical tidbits I learned, all the
incredible climbs that I did, where my body actually got to a point
where it LIKED those physical challenges! [it was the DOWNhills that I
got to where I would dread them a bit!], and all the
tear-and-smile-inducing spiritual moments that would sneak up on me at
the most unexpected times! I am now a long distance hiker addict for
life precisely because all of these positive things were a lot more
intense than I ever dreamed they could be - heightened by the
realization that I was doing something taking me back and taking me
closer to some ill-defined primal sources of life, God and humanity . .
. yes, the pain and grind comes to the forefront sometimes, but -as for
me - I can't get enough! :)
thru-thinker
"Bob C." wrote:
>
> "... And it occurred to me that I had set out to have fun, that fun was a pretty
> high priority. After all, if I'd wanted a job, I wouldn't have quit a perfectly
> good one in order to do my hike. "
>
> I've said this on this list and others -- and to anyone who asks-- but I think
> it is an impossible thing for people to understand -- until they experience
> it.
>
> I don't care how much you have read, how many lists you participate in, how
> many miles you have hiked on how many trails. For most starting thru hikers,
> the trail is a surprise.
>
> All of us who are into hiking have experienced cold, wind, snow, blistering
> heat, and chilly rains. Most serious hikers exult in the challenge.
>
> But on a thru hike, these are not a short term experience, to be over in few
> days or a week or two. About Neels Gap, one begins to realize that the pain,
> the wind, the rain, the snow is likely to continue for weeks -- and to be
> followed by the bugs, the heat and the pain of summer. It gradually dawns that
> this is not a short term "fun" challenge but a hardship that is likely to
> continue all the way to Katahdin.
>
> Yes. The trail is a job. Every job is a challenge -- especially every new job
> -- but most of us soon settle into a routine. On the trail nature keeps giving
> us surprises. The biggest surprise is simply the sheer number of challenges
> nature can throw at us.
>
> Some with extraordinary will power and perserverence will end on Katahdin after
> having followed every white blaze. Others will end on Katahdin after seen other
> things. These are themes with a thousand variations, which I lack the time and
> R probably lacks the space, for me to spell out.
>
> Regardless of how they hiked, a few will end on Katahdin after having had the
> most enjoyable six months in their lives. I place myself among those lucky few.
>
> I had had more experience then most, read more than most, talked with more
> thru hikers than most. But I was totally surprised by the reality of the trail
> and the commitment it requires. But overriding the hardship for me was the joy
> of the woods and the mountains, the endless parade of fascinating people,
> plants and creatures, the continuing curiosity about what was around the next
> bend or down that next side trail to something some maintainer had thought
> important for me to see.
>
> Weary
>
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