Words of wisdom

[ATSeamstress]

Never quit on a bad day.

For section hikers: You complain all the way up the mountain, but on the way home you start planning your next trip.

[Stoker53]

Early to bed and early to rise = more time avail for walking.

[Doctari]

To determine how much daylight you have left: PM, locate the sun, preferably near the horizon, hold your arm out full length, put you hand in such a way as your fingers are paralell to the horizon, the thickness of each finger is aproxamatly 15 minutes. This works for me, with less than a 1 to 2 minute error per finger. In the mountains, this "guide" works for where you are at NOW, as you move the time may change as you climb & descend, but you will have a rough guide.

Doctari.

[TDale]

It's always darkest right before it goes pitch black.

Walk quietly, stop often, look around, breathe.

[Rainman]

Walk quietly, stop often, look around, breathe.

This is great. I have always felt it, but have never said it so well. Thanks.

[Hike Meister]

Better in you than on you


(drink plenty of water...)

[littledragon]

Hiker's Prayer

Lord, if you pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down.

[Nean]

Hope for the best, Plan for the worst, Take what you get

[DLANOIE]

Leave no Trace.

[Mags]

I have maintained a 2x weekly e-mail list for an informal outdoor group here in Boulder since Feb 2003.

Since taking over the list, have put a outdoor related type quote on every e-mail.

I just uploaded the list if anyone is curious. The quotes come from my reading, or cribbed from other sources (other quote files for example) or take from other hikes. Sometimes I would google for an appropriate quote (e.g. a Valentine's day quote) Some I stole from people on White Blaze.

Have all the quotes picked out until Aug 30 2005 (HEy..I get bored at work sometimes. ), and some extra ones thrown in for later.

Most of the quotes are ones I picked. Some are from people who did the e-mail list when I was away temporarily (when I did the Colorado Trail, for example).

Anyway, enjoy.

Any flames..direct them to me.

http://magnanti.com/miscwritings/chaosemailquotes.txt

[SGT Rock]

Those are great Mags. I love some of them because they describe some many aspects of how I like to hike, like this one:

We wanted to make good time, with the emphasis on good and not time.
-Pirsig, ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

That link is a winner Mags! Thanks.

[Mags]

Those are great Mags. I love some of them because they describe some many aspects of how I like to hike, like this one:

That link is a winner Mags! Thanks.

Glad you enjoyed them. After two plus years of doing the e-mail list, have accumulated a not-too-shabby quote list, if i do say so.

[rsmout]

"You ain't gonna get no nouveau, amandine, thin crust, bottled water, sauteed city food."

[Lone Wolf]

it's just walkin'

[Sir-Packs-Alot]

My best advice to thru-hikers is this: "Never decide to quit the trail when your body aches, you are in the middle of a tough climb, or the weather is crappy (a bad day). Table those emotions for a beautiful day when you're feeling good and the view is amazing. If you still want to get off the trail when it's like the latter - go ahead and go home. The trail has it's good and bad moments and you are less likely to make a decision that you will really regret a bit later"

[Burrhead]

On the Appalachian Trail "Dry" clothing does not exist! Less damp than anything else is the best you can do!

[Tin Man]

For section hikers: You complain all the way up the mountain, but on the way home you start planning your next trip.

Yup. In fact, the countdown starts 180 days before the trip and we get real serious at this time of year with less than 90. Maps come out, we debate how many miles we can do in a day, start talking menus, and how much Scotch will be needed.

A tradition I started with my brother on our first section and follow each year at the start of our 50 miles:

Walk 10 paces from the car, stop, hold hand to right ear, "Do you hear that? [pause] No whining women!" Walk 10 more paces, stop, hold hand to left ear, "Do you hear that? [pause] No whining kids!"

Personally, I like Sgt. Rock's "No sniveling." Sort of captures it all.