Scott Williamson, the only person to ever yo-yo the PCT, has done a few presentations at California REI stores. There’s a nice article about Scott and his REI presentations here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/02/16/SPGAJH95BS1.DTL
yogi
yogi
Yogi,
Thanks for providing the link. I attended the presentation mentioned in the link. I didn’t realize that my comment re: my thru-hike attempt would make print, though! Way cool, this might be the only time I am ever mentioned in the same article as this legend!
Jeff
For those in the Bay Area, Scott’s not finished with his presentations yet. He’s speaking at the Berkeley store February 28th, at the San Francisco store March 1, and at the Santa Rosa store March 2.
Snowbird
For those interested…I interviewed Scott at the ALDHA West meeting last Oct. near Tahoe and it’s included in new documentary “Still Walking” available at www.walkpct.com.
Also included is video footage of Scott finishing his historic Yo-Yo of the PCT in '04 at the Southern Terminus. Scott is, indeed, a great guy and one truly kickass hiker.
Squatch
Does anyone else notice how the current generation of thru hikers is more competitive, name dropping, and maybe altogether missing the point of being in the wilderness? I concede it is a personal thing, but with people always talking about miles per day and pounds per pack, have you heard of this hiker or that, the ‘triple crown’, maybe it is relective of our cultural attitude towards sports as a whole ie, mountain dew extreme sports syndrome. I personally don’t applaud someone who hikes 40+ miles a day, I worry about them.
But again, I respect the rights of others to do whatever on the trail.
slowAndLow
Does anyone else notice how the people who are incapable or unwilling to achieve a goal are the first to criticize those who DO achieve their goals?
Scott is the most humble, unassuming hiker you’ll ever meet. He doesn’t ask for, expect, or need your applause. He’s just a guy who likes to hike. He packs light, is very tall with a long hiking stride, and therefore covers high miles each day. I’ve never heard him critize someone who walks different daily mileage than he does. That’s a lesson slowAndLow could learn.
yogi
yogi
Different people have different ways of enjoying the wilderness. Some people enjoy hiking all day and camping less. Is that a less valid way of being out on the trail? Personally, camping is a small part of the thru-hiking experience for me.
Seeing the sun rise and seeing the alpen glow while walking all day is simply magical. I don’t hike 40 MPD, but I’ve done many 30+. Is my enjoyment of the wilderness less than someone who does 8? I am in good shape, able to hike all day, keep a light pack. I just love to walk.
Getting back to Scott… Anyone who has met him will tell you that he is the most softspoken, unassuming guy around. He does not brag, he is always happy to hear about YOUR hike. He just walks for the pure pleasure of it.
I respect anyone who enjoy camping at a beautiful overlook and spending much of their time there. I think, though, it is important to give respect in turn - for those who do not neccessarily enjoy the wilderness in your way. And not just say “I repect your way”, then go on to say the other person’s way is incorrect.
HYOH means “Hike your own hike”, not “Hike your own hike, but may way is better”.
regards,
PM
Paul Mags
I have never met Scott but have read his trail register entries over the years. He was interviewed last year for Backpacker mag and his compassion and gentle strength was easily perceptable.He has helped others through his actions. Only time will tell when a hiker hikes half the PCT walking backwards,turns around and rehikes that section, then continues the same hiking style back to Campo.Then the hiker not only yo-yos,their view remains the same, though they are making progress as measure by distance covered.:lol
mike
People approach the trail differently. In hiking the AT, I found there was a small cadre of ultralite/high mileage hikers who sometimes seemed competitive about mileage and boastful over pack weight.
Then again, there were times when I would get a little bored and would want a physical challenge and would attmept some high mile weeks and felt proud of my own mileage.
While a ultra light hiker would be proud of a 35+ day, I would be proud of a 25+ day. Its all relative. Sometimes its good to push yourself and some folks like pushing themselves all the time. HYOH will get you through.
:cheers
jalanjalan