[at-l] A few thoughts...

[jsmith at wate.com (Jim Smith)]

I know exactly what you're talking about, though I doubt I would have
put it so well.

I took the first step of my first thru-hike about three years ago.
Unfortunately for me, it will be many more years before I'm able make my
last steps to the summit of Katahdin. 

But that's okay, because I will have many enjoyable steps to take in
between.

Thanks for sharing that, Mags.

jns 

-----Original Message-----
From: at-l-bounces@backcountry.net [mailto:at-l-bounces@backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of PM
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 2:37 PM
To: AT MailingList
Subject: [at-l] A few thoughts...

..who can say where a voyage starts - not the the actual passage but the
dream of a journey and its urge to find a way?
--William Least Heat Moon, RIVER HORSE


The first step on a thru-hike is not when you are the trailhead. It is
not looking  north of the Springer summit, and seeing a series of white
blazes heading towards Katahdin. It is not being at a border fence,
looking at the rolling high desert hills. It is not being at Glacier,
following where the waters divide.

The first step on a thru-hike is not getting the maps, marking your
route. The first step is not plannning your resupply. Or buying your
gear. Or training for the hike. Or buying a plane ticket.

The first step on a thru-hike is when you make the commitment to walk
the trail. The feeling that the journey is going to happen one way or
another. When you know the journey is something you don't want to do,
but something you HAVE to do.

This past week or so I made the decision to do my CDT journey regardless
of what happens. Leave of abscence or not. The journey has started in
January 2006. I still have to fine tune my intinerary. Plans still have
to be solidified. Gear has to be tweaked a bit. 

But the journey has started. 

And I could not be happier. 


************************************************************
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught,
a portion of the rainbow I have clutched --Thoreau
http://www.magnanti.com _______________________________________________
AT-L Mailing List.  

Go here to unsubscribe or change your options:

http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/at-l