[at-l] Toe's post re hike prep issues, and those pesky check engine lights

[icw at esisnet.com (Clark Wright)]

In running quickly thru the past few digests, I would like to offer a 
couple of comments:

1)  Re Sloetoe's statement re lack of intelligence to add an avoidable 
"handicap" to a thruhike, I would like to at least offer a softer 
perspective.  I think the amount and type of pre-hike training and 
preparation you do is a very personal thing.  I have seen (anecdotally) 
almost as many a potential thru-hiker hurt his or her chances by 
over-training before starting as by undertraining . . . and I have seen 
retired 65 year olds show up with 70 pound packs and no training and 
make it all the way because they were humble and open-minded enough to 
accept wisdom and help from others while watching very fit, seemingly 
fully prepared and well-equipped hikers quit after just a few weeks 
because they realized that a thru-hike was just not right for them - at 
least at that particular point in their lives.  To me, the hardest part 
of pre-hike preparation is trying to figure out enough about who you 
are, and what makes you tick, and why you want to do this at a 
particular time to help prepare those closest to you (family, spouses, 
significant others, employers, etc.) for a 5-6 to 10 month absence . . . 
not to mention the changed being that will return at the end of that 
journey.  No matter what gear you have, what shape you are in, and what 
personality type you are, the single most important factors are your own 
personal growth once you hit the Trail, and how those you love support 
or do not support you emotionally and spiritually . . .

2)  Re that pesky engine light that has presented Jim with a real 
challenge in his own journey, I am a big believer that check engine 
lights, while sometimes serving legitimate functions, are fast becoming 
a stealth tool for revenue generation by the auto industry.  Heck, on 
newer cars, you darn near can't run the thing once those lights and 
bells start flashing, and - like with my 2000 maxima recently - that 
$600.00 oxygen sensor didn't make one whit of difference in pre-repair 
versus post-repair enginer performance or gas mileage.  Now, having said 
that, there are some major things that these lights can legitimately 
diagnose, but - just as with major surgery recommended for your own body 
- definitely get a second opinion from an independent repairshop who 
knows your vehicle type but is not tied to the manufacturer, and who has 
the tools to turn the darn thing off and do a lesser repairwork job if 
that will suffice to protect your vehicle . . . and try to find a 
mechanic who can relate to your story about the financial dilemma this 
poses, and see if they can work with you . . .  good luck, Jim!

Thru-Thinker




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