When to call it quits on the PCT.

[Malto]

Here's a brilliant write up on the increasing trend of hikers getting into trouble by pushing their luck by pushing for the border late in the season.

https://www.thehikinglife.com/2017/1...c-crest-trail/

[capehiker]

I love that quote by Mags which defines Thru hikers not as experts but as specialists. I prefer to call them “YouTube Pros”. Lol. There are so many people claiming to be AT experts when really they only know what they experienced.

[jjozgrunt]

I've been bushwalking for 40+years and still don't consider myself an expert. I had not walked while it was snowing until the AT this year, so that was a learning experience, I'm still learning new things, but what I do is have the skill and knowledge to get out of tricky situations or even better not get into them in the first place.

I've noticed the trend of especially AT hikers to finish and suddenly have youtube channels and webpages offering advice, not just on the AT but hiking in general. And some of that advice as I pointed out in a recent thread is just ridiculous.

[House On My Back]

I enjoyed the article. "Border fever" should bring about focus and consistency in time/miles logged, not overconfidence that could put myself or others in jeopardy. It's humbling.

[Dogwood]

Indeed, a sagacious sharing. Also appreciate Paul's comment. When addressing talents, skills, and competence utmost self honesty and a multidude of diverse wise council, not pride nor ego is needed.

[gwschenk]

That's a really good article.

[Rasputen]

Favorite line from article, "Mother Nature never has a copy of your hiking itinerary."

Lot of sound wisdom in that article.

[one-eyed guy]

Nature has not heart and no emotions. Nature feels no compassion for human struggles and will continue on it's path of destruction and harm regardless of the circumstances.

[Tipi Walter]

I love that quote by Mags which defines Thru hikers not as experts but as specialists. I prefer to call them “YouTube Pros”. Lol. There are so many people claiming to be AT experts when really they only know what they experienced.

I've been bushwalking for 40+years and still don't consider myself an expert. I had not walked while it was snowing until the AT this year, so that was a learning experience, I'm still learning new things, but what I do is have the skill and knowledge to get out of tricky situations or even better not get into them in the first place.

I've noticed the trend of especially AT hikers to finish and suddenly have youtube channels and webpages offering advice, not just on the AT but hiking in general. And some of that advice as I pointed out in a recent thread is just ridiculous.

It seems the height of lunacy to call oneself an expert of the outdoors. A guy named Gonzales wrote a book about Who Survives---and he says one of the keys of outdoor survival is humility and keeping the Learner's Mind.

Nature has not heart and no emotions. Nature feels no compassion for human struggles and will continue on it's path of destruction and harm regardless of the circumstances.

Destruction and harm? I couldn't disagree more with your assessment of Nature and our place in it. If you're right I would've been killed my first night out on a backpacking trip in 1958. Since then I've logged tens of thousands of bag nights and Nature has not only let me live in Her splendor but showed me her exquisite beauty on a daily basis. And when it's time to go Miss Nature will kill me with a lightning bolt or a rattlesnake bite or a clogged artery or a stroke or a heart attack sitting on a couch. She spurts us out at birth and checks us out at death.

Destruction and harm? Not the forests I know.

[AllDownhillFromHere]

Nature has not heart and no emotions. Nature feels no compassion for human struggles and will continue on it's path of destruction and harm regardless of the circumstances.

What a wonderful world view you have.

[gwschenk]

You are right, Tipi. The mountains don't care. They do what they do, if you happen to be in the way, that's too bad!

[colorado_rob]

Nature has not heart and no emotions. Nature feels no compassion for human struggles and will continue on it's path of destruction and harm regardless of the circumstances.

Knowing this on a deep objective level is precisely why being out there and challenging yourself is so satisfying. The mountains just don't care! I understand why folks push it to the limits, as I do myself all the time with alpine climbing. So far so good! (said the guy after having jumped off a 100 story building, as he passes the 50th floor...)

[one-eyed guy]

What a wonderful world view you have.

I live within 40 miles of Mt St Helens, 70 miles of Mt Rainier - have seen too many floods and co. to think that nature is all flowers and rainbows. I love being out in the woods, up in the mountains and seeing the wonder of life. I just know that Mother Nature doesn't give a rip about what I think should happen, She has her own ideas of life.