Re: [pct-l] hitching to towns

["Brett Tucker" <blisterfree@hotmail.com>]

Meese eloquated:
>I look forward to the day when ALL PCT thru-hikers rely on the kindness of
>strangers and their motorized vehicles to take them into town when there is 
>a
>PERFECTLY GOOD FOOTPATH THAT LEADS DIRECTLY INTO TOWN. Why walk when you 
>can
>hitch? You shouldn't have to hike a trail that is difficult and steep, even
>if it is well maintained, especially when you can stick out your thumb and
>let someone else do the work for you. After all, the Acorn Trail isn't
>official PCT. [insert annoying sideways smiley face thing here]

You may recall that my original reservations over the use of the Acorn Trail 
into Wrightwood were delivered alongside a suggestion to resupply instead at 
the motel at the I-15 crossing, which is easily ambulated toward without 
vehicular assistance of any kind. The hiker gets in on foot, and out as 
well, and with far less gravity weighing upon the body and mind.

In spirit, I'm with Meese: I think there's something noble about walking 
from Mexico to Canada, or where have you, using nothing but your own two 
feet during all of the many weeks and months. This is akin to the migration 
of wild animals (and not far from the truth). But most hikers are perfectly 
happy walking only where necessary to complete the journey, "only" being 
perhaps 2600+ miles of PCT. And in some cases, hitching is just practical, 
such as to Skykomish or the bus to Stehekin. There's a fine line between 
hitchhiking in such a manner that resolve and focus become jeopardized, and 
hitching to facilitate and energize the journey. I think we all benefit by 
asking ourselves, from time to time on the trail, whether we're feeling 
drained or energized, and how our actions might relate to those feelings.

- Blisterfree


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