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Re: [pct-l] What about the tedium and boredom?
- Subject: Re: [pct-l] What about the tedium and boredom?
- From: ROYROBIN@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 23:06:09 EST
Joanne wrote (on 1-25-99):
<< But many hours are spent looking at the same type of scenery, just walking
every day. My mind quickly seems to submerge into a porridge of daydreams,
schemes, imaginary conversations, and attempts to solve various mundane
problems.... What do the people on the list do to cope with the tedium and
boredom of so many hours of walking? What was your mind like at the end of
a thruhike of the PCT anyway?
>>
Mike "Snoop" Paton added (1-26-99):
<< ...there's not a high proportion people that hike at all, period. So
explaining why you took 6 months off "to live in the woods" gets to
dull the "specialty" of being a thruhiker. There's not many people
who can relate, or even comprehend the idea. I just avoid the subject
when ever possible.
>>
Thanks, Ginny and Rebecca, for starting a thoughtful thread -- and thanks to
many others who added to the discussion. During our '97 hike, I spent some of
those long hours on the trail wondering how a thruhiker would explain to
others why he or she was out there.
On the trail, my mind tended to generate song lyrics (to a walking beat). One
of these efforts addresses Snoop's question about whether, or how, people in
the real world might relate to our "specialty". Here 'tis:
THAT FAR LOOK
Words by TrailDad
1. It came up in conversation that I'd hiked the PCT.
I felt anticipation; it meant a lot to me.
"What's that?" says one, "How nice," another.
Then the subject died.
They just don't understand our need to hike, I think,
surprised.
Why don't they show some interest? Perhaps they just
don't care.
Not everyone can see much point in spending time
out there.
Not many share our interest in reaching for this prize.
But then, just for a moment, I see something in their
eyes.
Refrain:
That far look, (for a moment I see)
that far look in their eye,
(And) I know they're out there somewhere
on that trail up near the sky.
Counting stars at night
or cutting steps across the snow,
Pausing long enough to see
the cactus-flower's glow.
I can see they're out there somewhere,
There's that far look in their eye.
2. If I had the time, that look says, I'd be there today.
I'd get some boots and pack my pack, and I'd be on my
way.
I'd tramp across the desert, stop in to see Jack Fair.
Listen to his salty talk and laugh to clear the air.
Climb into my bag at night and search my starry room.
Spot a feathery comet beside a crescent moon.
Watch great Cygnus chase Aquila down the Milky Way,
Dodging Sagittarius' arrow, till the break of day.
3. If I had the strength, that look says, I'd go on that
hike,
Along the LA aquaduct, into the snowbound heights.
Meet Edward, Duke of Gorp from York, and Dale from
New Zealand,
Walk with Justin and Katrina, Andyman and Susan.
Travel fast, travel light, hope for decent weather,
Scale walls of rock and ice, Glen and Muir and Mather.
Start out early on the trail to stretch the daylight
hours.
Drink pure water, breathe fresh air, stop to smell the
flowers.
4. If I had the will, that look says, I could find the
time,
I'd be strong enough, I know, to do the Whitney climb.
See this country, south to north, the mountains, lakes
and flowers,
Listen to the rushing streams, gaze up at granite
towers.
Smell the scent of Jeffrey Pine, hear voices in night
wind,
Stand with friends at trail's end and talk it through
again.
I must take this chance I have to hike along the Crest,
From Campo up to Manning Park, then take my well-earned
rest.
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