Well, I found an article that represents things most people just cannot say in public without getting lambasted for being honest. However, this is seems like one of the few safe places to do so, so here it is.
Over in that other sandbox I posted my concerns about all the crap that was going on with BSP (and with careless, discourteous, selfish hikers in general) and what was becoming of it along the trail. I posted my concerns about the effects that others preceding me were having on the trail. And I posted my concerns about having access to some amenities along the way that (while certainly not necessities) make extended trail life a tad more enjoyable.
Of course, some of the hard-core came out of the wilderness long enough to enlighten me on the merits of ice-cold bathing, the advantages of clothing that can walk by itself, and the pure joy of treating yourself to some pine needles in your Ramen instead of a cheeseburger (I made that last one up, but I have a lurking suspicion that ol' Tipi wouldn't argue with it, lol.)
I was told that I was "thinking too much" and "needed to get outside" as if implying that trail-concerns were only had by those who never leave the house or that NOT thinking about the few more places that closed to thru-hikers this year might NOT have really happened if only I were NOT thinking about them. Even worse, I dared to mention the heresy of wanting to visit some places along the way (some iconic hostels, the AT Museum, etc.) and really got my ass handed to me.
I mention these things for context, not because any of it has changed any of my plans or my concerns about selfish-idiots. (And certainly nobody here will be surprised by any of the above!)
But one thing that did seem to carry over to here is the attitude of, "Screw BSP, just move the damn Terminus somewhere else!" And more often than not, that sentiment comes from people that have already had the Katahdin experience. For the record, I doubt that anyone intends for it to sound very negative, but sometimes it comes across as, "Since I got do it already, it's no longer matters if it's important to others or not!" Again, I'm not declaring that to be the general consensus, but sometimes it appears that way when only a brief, disgruntled remark is offered.
I'm not overly obsessed with Mt. Katahdin as a necessary experience as much as I am with it simply being a huge focal point - a milestone for the overall goal. Actually, my mind is currently obsessed with simply getting to the trail first, and then doing my best to pursue the goal of making everyday fun and memorable - how ever many days those might be. But, once I do set foot on the trail, Katahdin really is the end goal for this particular journey. It does not signify the end of hiking or the end of life or whatever. But it does provide a huge iconic milestone for this specific trip.
I've considered flip-flopping and other types of journeys on the A.T., for a few different reasons, but always come back to starting in Georgia and finishing in Maine. It's just the way it's always been in my head, what I've always dreamed of, and exactly what I hope to do. Again, my daily goal for the trail is about the same as my daily goal anywhere else in life: to pursuit of making everyday fun and memorable. But Katahdin will always be a huge part of the dream.
Anyway, it's 8 o'clock and time for wifey and I to enjoy our evening walk. But this article over on Appalachian Trials struck a chord within me because finally someone else said many of the things I've been trying (or wanting) to say all along.
appalachiantrials.com/flipping…out-flip-flopping-part-1/
Over in that other sandbox I posted my concerns about all the crap that was going on with BSP (and with careless, discourteous, selfish hikers in general) and what was becoming of it along the trail. I posted my concerns about the effects that others preceding me were having on the trail. And I posted my concerns about having access to some amenities along the way that (while certainly not necessities) make extended trail life a tad more enjoyable.
Of course, some of the hard-core came out of the wilderness long enough to enlighten me on the merits of ice-cold bathing, the advantages of clothing that can walk by itself, and the pure joy of treating yourself to some pine needles in your Ramen instead of a cheeseburger (I made that last one up, but I have a lurking suspicion that ol' Tipi wouldn't argue with it, lol.)
I was told that I was "thinking too much" and "needed to get outside" as if implying that trail-concerns were only had by those who never leave the house or that NOT thinking about the few more places that closed to thru-hikers this year might NOT have really happened if only I were NOT thinking about them. Even worse, I dared to mention the heresy of wanting to visit some places along the way (some iconic hostels, the AT Museum, etc.) and really got my ass handed to me.
I mention these things for context, not because any of it has changed any of my plans or my concerns about selfish-idiots. (And certainly nobody here will be surprised by any of the above!)
But one thing that did seem to carry over to here is the attitude of, "Screw BSP, just move the damn Terminus somewhere else!" And more often than not, that sentiment comes from people that have already had the Katahdin experience. For the record, I doubt that anyone intends for it to sound very negative, but sometimes it comes across as, "Since I got do it already, it's no longer matters if it's important to others or not!" Again, I'm not declaring that to be the general consensus, but sometimes it appears that way when only a brief, disgruntled remark is offered.
I'm not overly obsessed with Mt. Katahdin as a necessary experience as much as I am with it simply being a huge focal point - a milestone for the overall goal. Actually, my mind is currently obsessed with simply getting to the trail first, and then doing my best to pursue the goal of making everyday fun and memorable - how ever many days those might be. But, once I do set foot on the trail, Katahdin really is the end goal for this particular journey. It does not signify the end of hiking or the end of life or whatever. But it does provide a huge iconic milestone for this specific trip.
I've considered flip-flopping and other types of journeys on the A.T., for a few different reasons, but always come back to starting in Georgia and finishing in Maine. It's just the way it's always been in my head, what I've always dreamed of, and exactly what I hope to do. Again, my daily goal for the trail is about the same as my daily goal anywhere else in life: to pursuit of making everyday fun and memorable. But Katahdin will always be a huge part of the dream.
Anyway, it's 8 o'clock and time for wifey and I to enjoy our evening walk. But this article over on Appalachian Trials struck a chord within me because finally someone else said many of the things I've been trying (or wanting) to say all along.
appalachiantrials.com/flipping…out-flip-flopping-part-1/
*
For once I'd just like to hear myself say, "Great job, self! Why don't you just take the day off."
For once I'd just like to hear myself say, "Great job, self! Why don't you just take the day off."