[at-l] "Good stuff" not found in books.

[rafeb at speakeasy.net (Rafe Bustin)]

At 01:22 PM 8/22/2005 -0500, Shane wrote:


>OK.  Here's an on topic discussion for you.  What are some of the things we
>learn while hiking and backpacking that aren't found in hiking books?  I was
>talking about this with a buddy the other day, and we came up with a few
>things.  Oddly enough, most of them have been topics of discussion here in
>the last number of days.
>
>I'd say the #1 thing not covered in the books is how to successfully urinate
>and defecate in the wild.  I've only got one book that covers the subject,
>and that's _How to Shit in the Woods_.  Even that book, for all its
>frankness doesn't really cover technique.


Without going into gory detail... one of the (few) things I did right
on my last section was to take along and down a cup of Metamucil --
orange-flavored, in packets -- each day.  But hey, I'm an old
geezer (52) and maybe the young 'uns can ignore that advice.



>Psychological issues aren't covered either.  I have seen hiking trips turn
>best friends into bitter enemies because they didn't understand the
>psychological mechanics of group dynamics.  Your friends WILL drive you
>crazy.  If you know that and have a plan to handle that, then you'll stay
>friends.  This isn't a big deal on shorter trips, but once you're out with
>someone for three weeks you're going to start having issues - mostly stupid
>little stuff.



I know that keeping a "steady" hiking partner is no mean feat.
I thought I had one for a couple weeks in '90.. and when that
started going south.... well, it was one of several factors leading
to a terminally bad attitude.

I'm reading "A Walk for Sunshine" right now.  And the author
relates a similar sadness -- at losing a long-time hiking
partner after 30 days together.

Very few hiking partners actually walk together, tho.  Most
often they camp, eat, and take breaks together -- but walk
separately.  Sen. Daniel and Opa (on this years' hike) were
among the few exceptions I've seen.

I traveled with a buddy through Europe when I was young.
We spent eight months together traveling in a tiny Fiat.
We didn't speak to each other for about a year after that
trip was over.



>The books also never tell you, "If you're not having fun, STOP!"  I see so
>many hikers make the mistake of getting miserable and staying miserable. I
>read a trip report by one lady who kept hiking in her boots even though they
>were eating her feet. The boots started to torture her, but she stayed with
>them, even though she had sandals.  WHY?  Because nobody had ever told her
>any better.


I've never had any problem in that department <grin.>

Offhand, I think hygiene is a huge topic that needs more attention.
I can't say I've mastered it, by a long shot.  How do you deal with
the sweat, grime, DEET, sunblock, etc. -- using just a tiny
washcloth or bandana, without messing up the stream, your
cooking pot, or anything else...

Sometimes when folks ask, "how do I prepare for a thru hike"
I suggest this:  try a week with no running water, no stove,
no toilet...


rafe b
aka terrapin


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