[at-l] Physical and other conditioning on the trail

[mjenks at christiancentury.org (Melissa Jenks)]

What's weird is that I'm not feeling very much panic in my waking life.
Angst, yes, panic, no.  I'm sure I'll get more and more panicked as I
progress.  But maybe I'm finally old enough to accept that I'm doing the
best that I can to prepare, and that whatever happens is what was meant to
happen.  Very zen, I know.  In theory.  I find, though, that any new extreme
experiences where I'm testing myself bring about these insanely vivid,
emotionally draining dreams.  It's a great way to not have to suffer through
that awake.

Melissa


> From: Pat Villeneuve <pvpvpv@earthlink.net>
> Reply-To: Pat Villeneuve <pvpvpv@earthlink.net>
> Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 19:23:01 -0600 (GMT-06:00)
> To: Melissa Jenks <mjenks@christiancentury.org>, at-l@backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [at-l] Physical and other conditioning on the trail
> 
> Okay, Melissa, the first thing I should do is admit I have not followed this
> thread. That said...
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Melissa Jenks <mjenks@christiancentury.org> wrote:
> 
>> Well, poor li'l ole newbie hiker me seems to have set off a bit of a
> firestorm.  Unintentional, to be sure.  <snip>
> So, does everyone want to hear the panic dreams that keep coming?  There was
> the one where my whole body was crushed  [etc.]
> 
> 
> Panic is not unusual prior to the first big hike. If more people spoke openly
> about it, we might be able to say that it's common. I remember when I first
> headed out. I was as prepared as I could be, yet I shook all the way to the
> airport. When the flight attendant asked if I wanted a cocktail, I said "Yes,
> PLEASE." I kept thinking about the gear manufacturer who ran the ad that said
> something like "If your teeth are still chattering, it's fear." Somehow I knew
> that once I got out there I would be fine, and I was right. There is a
> community out on the trail, and it is a comfortable community--although the
> trail is not always a comfortable place to be. Think cold, sore muscles,
> fatigue, etc., rather than monster boulders with sinister intent. The trail
> was a luxurious place for me. My everyday life is pretty demanding, and life
> on the trail was reduced to walking, eating, keeping warm, etc.. Getting to
> the shelter at the end of the day, getting comfortable, eating, reading the
> register was an incredible experience. The blisters, bugs, and all faded, and
> I knew I was at a special time and place. I relished it. (Stop, Felix!!!)
> 
> I have a friend who might like to hear from you.  ;->  She used to enjoy
> asking people about their irrational childhood fears. One of her classic
> examples was the run-away boulder. Anyone want to play--off list, perhaps? I
> used to fear that I would be a witness to a crime and be unable to give a
> complete description of the get-away vehicle. Police reports in my home town
> always had such good descriptions, and I was afraid of being humiliated by
> saying "Um, it was red."
> 
> Give Me Chocolate
> 
> 
>