[at-l] Hiking Advice (2)

[greyowl@rcn.com (greyowl@rcn.com)]

Seriously people there is such a thing as overplanning. There is a word for=
 it, anal retention. Orange Bug can tell you about it as I am sure that he =
has people with the same problem coming through his office door. I need inf=
ormation! I need it now!! I will not be able to complete my journey without=
 help!!! It is your job to provide it to me!!!
Will kiddo you weren't born with a user's manual tied to your toe, but your=
 parents managed to raise you to adulthood. It is called on the job trainin=
g. If you want an adventure then go out and seek one. Prepare but over prep=
are.

Earlier this year we had Gizmo talk to our group. We spent 71 days at Sprin=
ger at the start of the AT hiking season. The first words out of his mouth =
were "You would not believe the number of people who quit the trail without=
 even seening the first white blaze". Some of these people had dreamed for =
years and had planned the hike for years. It doesn't matter which hiking ph=
ilosophy you follow, or what type of gear you have or what shape you are in=
 the trail will rear up its ugly head and kick your butt. What is important=
 is what is inside of you. Can you gut through the pain, the cold , the sno=
w and rain? Are you going to quit because of the PA rocks, the lack of wate=
r, or any number of other problems that you can think of. OK we may not tal=
k of gear or mail drops, but we do talk of the spirit and soul. That is pro=
bably the most import of the
hike.

Grey Owl