Am i the only one who

imported
#1

misses hiking on a dailey basis? Its so wierd sometimes, even after hiking a whole lot of miles since 98’,…I just have this feeling that I need to pack my stuff, and hit the road to some new adventure, no matter where it leads. After all the fine people I have meet and the adventures, and the good things I have experianced, while in trail towns, or on the trail iteself,(Even the bad stuff—not that any of the learning I get from it is really bad)…I just am ready to roam.

God, man, some one needs a therapy session for those who have to wander…some may think its a sickness, but for those who have walked outside for a long distance, and experianced all the beauty…no matter in what form, they all know the need to continue living the life of a traveler.

Merry christmas, happy hanukauh, Joyous Kwanza, etc, etc and I hiope whatever you do this sesaon of joy it leads to a new adventure…I know I am ready all ready.

LION KING

#2

I’m behind you dude

Tha Wookie

#3

That’s why I live in Damascus, King. 50 yards from the AT. I walk it every day. Most times to Dot’s!:cheers

Wolf

#4

I miss long distance hiking every day. Even though we hike almost every week, and I get a quick fix for a few hours, it isn’t the same. Finding time to backpack is hard, with long work weeks, an old house and family nearby. But more, I miss the whole thruhiking process. I miss the planning, I miss the dreaming, I miss the uncertainty of the unknown, I miss the challenge, I miss being part of the hiker community, I miss waking up in the woods and falling asleep to the sounds of the night, I miss watching the wildlife, I miss being so close to the natural world. It is still two and a half years until our next one – some days I really wonder if I can wait that long. If it were just me, I’d be packing my stuff now. The two weeks of vacation we have every year gives me a taste for the wandering life, but it just doesn’t come close to being long enough. And when I’m home again, I know that it will be 11 months until the next one. For those of us with a gypsy spirit - that’s a long long wait. It’s too soon to get serious about the planning for the next long hike - but I’d much rather be doing that than just surfing the web mindlessly, looking for someone who understands about LD hiking.

Spirit Walker

#5

I miss the life so much I’m going on another thru next year (PCT). Then there is the CDT, the Long Trail, Florida Trail, Ice Age Trail, International AT, Pinhoti, Arizona, North Country, Wonderland, etc, etc. To paraphrase (and bastardize) “Midnight Rider” by the Allman Brothers: “And the trail goes on forever…”

raru

#6

this one. Couldn’t resist!

I hated my job before I started LD hiking. Now that I know and understand the wonder of it, the job I keep coming back to seems more depressing every time. I hear you say “Make a change, do something rewarding and stop moaning. You have a choice”

I do have a choice, you’re quite right. I have chosen to sacrifice my non hiknig life for my hiking life. I don’t think it’s such a good idea right now becasue I’m losing my mind through working to much. (I’m at work now!) The hiking experience, for me , is profound and inexplicable. The feeling of living in the moment, taking what comes and managing to smile, makes trail life something really worth doing. It is also a burden. However hard you try, it’s hard to slot back into a previous lifestyle, even if that lifestyle was rewarding and enjoyable before you left! I feel distant from my non-hiking friends and find it hard to explain my experiences without sounding condescending. They don’t understand what I’ve been through or why I’m doing it anyway. How do you sit down and tell a good friend “You don’t understand” without making them feel like your experinces dwarf there’s? I notice every single day, since all my hikes, that I’m doing the same thing…every day. A few minor changes of direction but pretty much the same stuff. That’s why I say the hiking experience can be a burden (maybe just to me?) having tasted that freedom can leave your lips dry post event. I guess it’s about trying to strike a balance, trying to connect with people on some kind of level. Not feeling isolated or distant because they haven’t, and likely never will, experience htat feeling of complete calm, focus and freedom.

I’m sure some will disagree. Please don’t be to harsh if you don’t. It’s just the way I feel about it all right now. Never the less, can’t wait to hit Springer in March! Merry christmas to all in the forums and I hope the New Year brings lots more of the thing we all love.

Ross

Ross

#7

I know it may not be an option for everyone, but you can always consider looking for a job that is more adventuresome than the one you currently have. You can look for a job that requires a lot of traveling. Or look into becoming a forest ranger or a mountain guide - you’ll be getting paid for doing what you love!

Cube dweller

#8

Also live right on the AT and hike it very often, at least once weekly or so.

Also walk/hike daily for several miles to stay in shape and also to keep my mind clear and sharp.

This allows me to get thru life’s BS. Without doing this, I doubt I could mentally survive it.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#9

Is it about the hiking? Or the hiker? Do you miss hiking in the wilderness or do you miss how you feel about yourself when you are hiking? The sense of freedom and fearlessness you experience, the trusting and faithful person you become…Isn’t that what you want in your everyday life? Maybe you should try seeking those things in yourself wherever u are…That way you never stop hiking! Love and magic for Christmas and the New Year!

FindersMagic

#10

i dream of the trail every waking moment… Merry frickin Christmas to one and all… peace and love… see you in March in 2004

aswah

#11

Hiking= :slight_smile: Yo-YO

yo-yo

#12

Ross,

No one ever said from their death bed, “Gee, I wish I had spent more time at the office”. I used to be like that. I would spend 10 to 12 hours a day at the office plus some time on weekends. Then I got downsized out. BEST thing that ever happened. I got another BETTER job with working some rational hours.

I seem to recall there being a book called “Outdoor Carreers” or something like that. Maybe you would think about doing something that involves the outdoors? Anyway don’t give away a bunch of years that you WILL NEVER get back to just pay bills.

Regards,

George

george