[pct-l] Time off for long distance hikesRe:

[brandt@snf.stanford.edu (Karl Brandt)]

Many of the long distance hikers I met out on the trail were at some
transition point in their lives. Many were either recently done with
school or taking a break before grad school. Others were recently
divorced or had quit jobs in order to go. Ultimately, it just has to be
important enough to _you_ to take the time out of the rest of your life to
go hike.

I was lucky in that I was able to get a leave-of-absence to do my
thru-hike. Like most employers, they acted like it would be the end of the
world if I was gone for more than a few weeks much less multiple months. I
told my boss that I really wanted to do this and _had_ to go. Strangely
enough, things hadn't fallen apart without me. 

If you're dreaming of a long distance hike somewhere, find a way to make
it possible and just go. Life is too short not to strive towards those
things that make you happy.

-Karl

*********************************************************************
Karl Brandt                                            
http://people.ucsc.edu/~kbrandt/


On Sat, 15 Sep 2001 "Brian Davis" <DJBrianAZ@home.com> wrote:

> I've been on this list for a few months now and look forward to reading
> everybody's posts.  I am planning on doing a PCT thru hike in 2004.  Right
> now I am attending school and working full time.  In 2004 I will be quitting
> my current job to do a career change and that will probably be the only
> chance I get to do the PCT.  My question is;  I read about everyone here on
> this list and other places doing the PCT, AT or triple crown or various
> segments many times and just plain spending alot of time on the trail (I'm
> jealous).  How are you able to get that much time off.  Are many of you
> self-employed.  I really want to be able to spend more time on the trail
> (and eventually be a part of the PCT family) but can you give me some
> suggestions on how you schedule hikes from your "daily grind".  Right now I
> am only able to do weekend hikes here and there but hiking is what makes me
> happy.  Unfortunately, I can't make a living hiking (although I would be the
> first to sign up for a hiking degree if you could).
> Thanks
> Brian Davis
> Phoenix, AZ