Re: [at-l] hiking friends

["W F Thorneloe, MD" <thornel@ibm.net>]

At 10:13 PM 6/26/1999 -0400, CHoover241@aol.com wrote:
>When we choose to hike, we are leaving others who are not going. They may
>support us, but they are leaving us just the same. My mother lives in another
>state and is having huge problems with my hiking next year. The reason is
>that she loves me and she cannot believe that I would give up all my
>possessions to do this crazy thing. She will get better as the time
>approaches. Thing is, she is my mother not my wife.


I can't disagree with you, except that I doubt many hikers believe they are 
abandoning or neglecting their loved ones. OF course, there is that aspect 
to hiking. A hiker needs the support to maintain the hike, paying bills, 
keeping the home fires burning, packing maildrops, transcribing journals, 
and other vital (but too often thankless) tasks.

One aspect of the problem is that those left behind may not recognize that 
these feelings are very reasonable and important. It is sad to hear that 
you feel abandoned by the list, but even the list cannot learn of your 
experience and frustration without your communication. You have given us 
this, excellently and poignantly.

A thru hike is a selfish act. It costs money, takes time away from others, 
and serves a number of individual purposes. It may be very important for 
the hiker in dealing with relationships, but the world does not stop while 
we hike. I hope Sly knows as well that the hope fires are smoking heavily, 
and you two can get some off trail time to mutual support and such.

I hope you are getting a number of real and cyber hugs off list. You need 
and deserve them. I hope your message helps others remember those things 
they can't squeeze into their packs, and should never be treated as 
lightweight.


OrangeBug
Atlanta, GA
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