(Mile 2417 to 2438 = 21 miles; 2438 to 2464 = 26
miles)
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| High Life, moth tamer. |
Well, the days are growing short, the miles
growing long, and it is a mere ten days until we finish. We are sticking
with our plan of 25's for the most part. Yesterday was an exception as
Gumby got lost without knowing it and sent High Life and I on a wild goose
chase trying to find her. It was quite a day, and by the end, I was too
tired to write. It seems to be the case these days. It is hard to
make myself stay up to write when I just want to try to get eight hours of
sleep in. So, I will keep this short and sweet.
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| He seriously just picked this up off the bridge, and it started feeding off of his finger. We could see the little wet tongue marks. |
What I would like to do is take a moment to get
some suggestions from all of YOU. I am planning to do a few talks when I
finish this hike and could use some help framing them. What I would like
to know is what you all would like to hear about.
 |
| Look at how far we've come! |
Here's what I plan:
1) A talk/slideshow for friends and anyone
interested from around my home town--it'll be in a public space with people of
all levels of interest.
2) A talk/slideshow at the local hiking
club or nature center, for the public, but perhaps aimed at avid outdoors
folks.
3) A talk for later elementary/middle
school kids, slant on pursuing your dream/adventure.
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| This place is gorgeous. Unfortunately, you can't really tell with all of the smoke! |
If you were to attend a talk on the PCT, what
would you want to be included? What questions would you like answered?
 |
| Resting the dogs. |
Very cool...I am so there if it is open to the public and I can get there for it. Check out Stryders blog on the PCT site as I think his are so insightful and interesting as he sums up his sections. I like the nuanced things that one would never know unless a thru hiker. Definitely a focus on the human and social side. The struggles and victories. Things you didn't think you could get through but did. The sites of the trail are shown by everyone. So the human/social side is so much more interesting (with some of your favorite photos thrown in). Like your bubble insight and your hand stands and your injury and also strategies that worked or didn't. And the mental aspect. (Of course my perspective is the PCT thru hiker wanna be who follows a ton of blogs but alas...only section hikes. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh...finally...just be you...your blog is one of the best on the PCT so just let that shine through.
ReplyDeletePortland PCT Section Hiker Mike aka GoalTech
There are several things that I would like to hear about. What you thought might go wrong, but did not and conversely, what went right but could have gone very wrong. What were the best things on the trail and what were the worst. Or, in other words, the highs and lows of doing the hike and were these expected or anticipated? You did so much planning. How did that help on the trail? Did it allow you to avoid common problems on the trail? I may have some others, but these are things I have wondered about as the miles have gone by. :) Lou
ReplyDeleteGet someone to video your talk and then post it to your blog afterwards? I'd love to see your talk, but being in the UK it's very unlikely to happen. Ideas: what was the minutiae of every day trail life like and take us through an average day, how did the trail change this over time. What would you change if you did it again. What are you most proud of out of all your achievements on the trail. I agree with Michael that your insights such as the hiker bubble would be really good to expound upon, the social dynamics and interactions on the trail, the social or peer pressures. All the best and take care.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had some suggestions, but the details you provide in your blog will no doubt be how you do your presentations, which will make them very interesting and memorable. I love the suggestion Steve gave to have someone video tape your talk for posting on your blog or better yet, come back to Iowa to do one of the presentations!! I am so appreciative to your dad for sending me the link to your blog...it has been fascinating to follow these past few months. Your determination, courage and focus to accomplish your goal is absolutely inspiring! True adventures are a rarity in this day and age, and you have my utmost respect!
ReplyDeleteAnd mine is another vote to video your talk and post it!
DeleteHey, you two! So happy to hear you're so close to completing such an awesome trek. In that most of us will never thru-hike the PCT, but have been bitten by the section-hike-bug, might you give some insights on how to choose a section of the PCT (hiking ability, health conditions, passions for certain types of "lay-of-the-land," how to prepare, and whatever else)? I've followed your blog from the very beginning, and the more I read, the more you make me want to get out there -- for a little ways, mind you.... What's up for y'all next? The Continental Divide Trail? Happy Trails!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have to say that you've kept a very good blog, with all the things I think most people look for in a trail blog. You go into a bit of the day to day, but generally stay focused on the overall feel of each day. You also have a lot of introspective posts, which are great, but you have the wisdom to not make the whole blog introspective.
ReplyDeleteAs far as how to present your experience to other people, I think it depends a lot on your audience. You mention three distinct groups that you want to speak to.
"A talk/slideshow for friends and anyone interested from around my home town--it'll be in a public space with people of all levels of interest." For this group, you'd probably want to introduce the trail: show the places you've been (lots of pictures), but also explain the social side of the trail (also with lots of pictures). Don't try to give a play-by-play, but stick to highlights and overall themes.
"A talk/slideshow at the local hiking club or nature center, for the public, but perhaps aimed at avid outdoors folks." You'd probably want to talk more about the preparation and execution of the hike. What worked well, what didn't? What would you have done differently? What gear choices worked for you? What about food? Did your resupply strategy work? In addition to those things, you'd want to talk about the social aspect of the trail as well. Most 'outdoors folks' who haven't done a thru-hike won't have considered the social side of the trail to be as important as it is.
"A talk for later elementary/middle school kids, slant on pursuing your dream/adventure." For this group you'd want to keep things in very general terms. Show the highlights of the trip, but focus on the preparation and planning involved, and on sticking to your plan, but making changes as needed.
Dorothy, you've done such a spectacular job of communicating your personal thoughts and conclusions that have come from hours of introspective bantering, I feel we all have had an opportunity to share in many of your trials and successes. Thank you for that - it's truly been a joy! (Not to mention, simply a great read). Knowing how much planning and organization went into the pre-trip, I'm curious about how much of that actually helped you, and what you wish you would have known more about before you left...which items were priceless to you, and which you found to be unnecessary and sent home...how much food did you actually need, and what did you find unpalatable...what did you miss or crave the most, and what surprised you that you didn't miss at all...what clothing items provided you with the most comfort, and what would you redesign to improve its comfort and longevity...was there something else you wish you had accomplished on this trip that will be gnawing away at you till you set off on another adventure? Well, maybe that one should be in another blog.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, in your analytical and organized manner you approached this pursuit with many anticipated scenarios from what and how much to eat, to personal achievements and social interactions. How did the reality compare, or is there really no way to make the comparison?
Oh, one other thing I think would be interesting is a lesson book on the PTC "Trail Language”… what would a "Cheat Sheet" of trail courtesies look like (sort of like visiting another country-what behavior would be expected by other hikers)?
Good Luck in your final days. Hope to see you soon! Tricia
(sorry it's taken awhile - we've been on vacation)
Hi Dorothy and Co., I am from the Willamette Valley and I have always had a great interest in hiking the PCT. It is one of my life goals... well right after a triathlon. In going through the PCT site, I stumbled upon your blog and was very amazed about how informative you were in writing about life on the trail. Thanks putting yourself out there and sharing your knowledge and passion for the trail with others.
ReplyDeleteLet's see, some of the questions I would have for you would be :
What trail gear were you most satisfied with? and did you have to replace it throughout the trip?
What gear would you have left behind? and What gear did you wish you had but didn't bring?
What kind of shape would a future PCT hiker need to be in? How would you suggest to train?
When I think of doing the PCT, I always envision having a friend to hike with...but would the trail be safe/comfortable enough to hike alone? (I only ask because I am a female in my early 20's.)
Well, I guess that is all the questions I can think of now. Thanks again for sharing your adventure! Your writings have inspired me to take the leap into the great outdoors and learn to understand more about the beauty that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
lia