[pct-l] the subjectiveness of a thru-hike

[dude@fastmail.ca (dude)]

--
I also think that it depends on the context of the claim.  If you
hiked from Tuolumne to Whiteny and in conversation you refer to
your "JMT hike" as a matter of convenience, who the hell cares?

In fact, if you skipped sections due to hitch-hiking or whatever, it
really only matters if you are claiming that you hold some sort of
record.

In my view, if you hiked the PCT from mexico to canada and skipped a
mile here or there because it was easier to get a ride into town or
back to the trail or because you fell behind schedule and needed to
make up time so that you could continue on your dream hike before
returning to work, then you did a thru-hike.  The point in
distingushing between a thru-hike and a section hike (especially for
the purpose of conveying your experience on this list) is because
they are different experiences and it puts the message in
perspective.  If you hiked the whole PCT, but hitched 1.6 miles, then
your experience is that of a thru-hiker and that is who will identify
with your experience.  I have never done that, so I would Identify
more with a section hiker's experience.

Of course, there will be people who disagree and will want to safe-
guard the "true" definition of a thu-hike, or something to that
effect.  But come on...  what does it really matter? claim whatever
you want unless it infringes on someone else's acheivement.

peace,
dude

> A few comments:
>
> first, I agree with the poem. Life is like a backpack trip and
> vice versa.  It is the journey that is important, not the
> destination. For a backpack, the destination is the end; similarly
> for life, the destination is death. And on/in either, one may
> achieve some goal or not the important aspect is the journey.
>
> Now as to labeling oneself a "thru-hiker". How much of the trail
> does one hike to be a thru-hiker. Obviously more than the first
> few feet at one border and the last few feet at the other border.
> I think it is dishonest to claim to have thru-hiked the PCT unless
> you did. If one took detours because of trail closures, that's OK.
> If one caught a ride on one side of the road and resumed the hike
> on the other, no problem. However if one skipped walking a mile or
> two or more, than I think one should qualify the trhu-hike with
> "almost all" or some such descriptive phrase. As to the trail
> varying from year to year, of course. The point is you walked the
> trail.
>
> I've hiked the JMT from Tuoulmne Meadows to Mt Whitney and out to
> Whitney Portal in segments over several years. I haven't yet done
> from Tuoulmne to the Valley, don't know if I ever will. But I
> don't say I've thru-hiked the JMT.
>
> Sure the trip is different for each one. But one shouldn't claim
> or give the impression that one has done what one has not.
>
> My view.
>
> John
>
>
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