[at-l] Gear Demons

[swampblar at bellsouth.net (swampblar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)]

Wow, Shane..... :-)

In my humble opinion, this post demonstrates profound wisdom on your part -
especially your comments regarding the great value of input offered by the
various individuals who post to the at-l at this time.  I think that perhaps
your wisdom is the reason why one of the FNG's (who apparently is quite wise
also) chose to refer to you as "Grandpa Shane" (in spite of your young age).

And, thanks to everyone else who has offered encouraging, helpful, [and/or]
humorous comments (whether they be defined by the majority as "on-topic" or
"off-topic) within the last few days too.

You are helping to restore my confidence in the thru-hiker "family" on at-l.
:-)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shane" <shane@theplacewithnoname.com>
To: <at-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 11:31 AM
Subject: [at-l] Gear Demons


> > Tibetan Monks currently cross their border and the Himalayan range to
> > escape Chinese oppression.  They carry not more than a daypack, and
> > often wear only tennis shoes.  (Nine days into their passage to India,
> they
> > walk through a pass skirting Mt. Everest, where mountaineers are hard at
> > play; their rendition of a thru-hike.)
>
> Good point.  One gentleman I met claims to have done that 'escape'
barefoot.
> Better men (and women) than I...
>
> > Many of us will never start a thru-hike.  Most of us, who begin to
> > thru-hike, will never complete even one.  Few who succeed will do more
> > than one.  The people who cannot stop thru-hiking are amazing.  When
> > you learn to do something well, why continue to do it?  Learn something
> > else.  Go to Pamplona.  Be an idiot, and run with the bulls.
>
> I took that advice.  I didn't run with the bulls, I did something much
> crazier.  I got married, bought a house, and had a child.
>
> It isn't about DOING, in my estimation, it's about BEING.  I think that's
a
> major 'problem' with some wannabe thruhikers.  They set out to accomplish
> something.  To conquer something.  Those that fail, fail for that reason.
> Sometimes it's a failure of the body, of time, or of money, but more often
> it's a failure of the heart.
>
> > Even if this site is only idle fantasy for some of us, so what?  It
helps
> us
> > get through the day, the week, all the way to retirement without
climbing
> to > the roof, dragging that rifle and all that ammo.  We hike for our
> enjoyment, > or thru-hike to see if we can meet that challenge.
>
> I agree completely.  I myself am on this list looking forward to the day
> when I'm free to wander again.  A little camaraderie keeps the heart glad.
>
> I didn't say that gear was bad, or totally unimportant.  What I said was
> that it's one of the least important issues.  Yes, discussing and learning
> about gear is part of the process.  While you're at it, though, learn
> everything else too.  Trail history and appreciation like RnR wants,
> conservation like Weary espouses, and Philosophy from Felix.  Don't be
> concerned only with equipping your body.  Equip your mind and your heart
as
> well.  Failure in this will cause other failures.
>
> > Bob has his own demons.  Don't saddle him with more.
>
> (For clarification, we aren't talking about Weary (Bob Cummins), we're
> talking about my friend 'Coach'.)
>
> It wasn't my intentions to saddle anyone with demons, but to make a point
in
> a personal way.  Bob isn't a bad person for not making it.  What he was
> reaching for just wasn't who he was.  I'm glad he discovered that, and he
is
> too.
>
> Shane
>
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