Why I read Trai Journals

imported
#1

I thought I would expand a little on a recent poll on who reads Trail Journals. To make it easy, select one or more of the reasons below and also comment if you’d like. If it gets enough response, I’ll tally at the end.

Why I read Trail Journals:

#1. I’m preparing to hike the AT and I’m researching the Trail, gear, food, hostels, stops…anything to help prepare myself.

#2. I’m not a hiker and have no plans to hike…just following a friend, loved one or relative who is doing the Trail.

#3. I just find it interesting reading…following the individual adventures is like reading a novel.

#4. I’m addicted to anything that has to do with hiking…it’s all I care about.

#5. I don’t have anything better to do.

#6. I just like to troll and stir up s@#t in Trail Forums.

#7. I’ve got a crush on Leif and/or ZipDrive.

#8. I’m looking for someone to hate.

#9. It’s none of your damn business why I read Trail Journals.

#10. None of the above. (Please explain)

My reasons are 1, 3, 4 & 5

Skeemer

#2

#11. Because after last night, reading TJ is the next best thing I can do to going for a hike.

#12. I’ve got a crush on Skeemer.

Skittles 03

#3

1–it started out as a resource

3–it’s great reading, why buy books…

4–yes, I’m an hikie junkie

7–I have a huge crush on the guys :happy Sue/HH

Hammock Hanger

#4

#13-because it beats writing critical and/or literary essays for school

#14 Chicks who hike are hot

#2172 I like seeing my words on the screen (and I ALSO have a crush on Skeemer)

A-Train

#5

#4. I’m addicted to anything that has to do with hiking…it’s all I care about (Not Really I care about lots of things)

Check out my web site on www.mtleconte.com and you will understand my reason. The Journals are informative, entertaining and good reading. I really admire folks that even try to hike long wonderful trails.

Ed Wright

#6

It started out #2, but indirectly. My friend Little Tree set out last February, and in her letters she’d mentioned Pickle & Peanut, Stumpknocker and Hippie Longstockings, among others. When I met up with her in Pennsylvannia, she was hiking with the DutchBoy Posse, and two of them have TJ’s. That’s how I got here. I would scour the journals for mention or pictures of Little Tree, but she finished her thru-hike in July (there were 2 Little Trees, btw), so now I am here for #3.

Wild Hare

#7

#10, sorta…

I had said, I think in my journal, that when I left the trail, I left a part of me there as well. I loved, and love, being outdoors and hiking. But my current life just isn’t very conducive to hiking. Studies, research, teaching, etc. Finances are a huge one, even my summers are pretty bleak looking right now. And driving, my car I drive as little as possible so to keep it operating as long as possible, long distance driving is definitely out, and can’t afford busses on my current income, or lack thereof.

So, I read, and live/hike vicariously through others entries. Others said it well, they are entertaining, informative, etc. And it is a temporary fix for a heart that yurns to be out there again.

I am missing traildays’05 this year, school conflict. Hoping to squeeze 1-2 weeks of hiking in July, if possible, but not looking good either. I have felt more at home out on trail (anywhere on trail, AT, Mojave, or other) then I do on my apartment right now. And I am homesick.

-xtn

airferret

#8

#2 - I found the site through neighbor/friend of my kids’, Afterburner, who hiked the AT in 03 and I got totally addicted, and #3 - the journals are BETTER than a novel (and reality TV for that matter) because they’re about as real as it gets. The drama can be somewhat slower than the average novel, the character development a little more subtle, and you often have to read between the lines for the romance (or cross-check journals), but it’s all there. Also, #4 - I’m an avid hiker, but of the Sunday afternoon with a 13-year-old dog variety which is all my crazy schedule allows right now.

Iris

#9

Damn Skittles! you didn’t have to tell everyone about last night.

Sorry A-Train…I’m already taken…I’ll keep you in mind if things don’t work out.

It’s Miss Janet’s fault…she made me wear that apron in front of Skittles.

Skeemer

#10

Damn Skittles! you didn’t have to tell everyone about last night.

Sorry A-Train…I’m already taken…I’ll keep you in mind if things don’t work out.

It’s Miss Janet’s fault…she made me wear that apron in front of Skittles.

Skeemer

#11

Boy, Skeemer, you sure do have a dirty mind. I was referring to New Years festivities :cheers. But go on beleiving whatever you want to, even dirty old men can dream ;).

So, as an attempt at keeping this thread on-topic, I like to read TJ to stay in touch with what’s happening on the AT. Also enjoy reading about other trails and daydreaming about taking some time off and going for a walk somewhere new!

Skittles 03

#12

A combination of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

I’ve read a lot of trail journals over the years. Some I followed all the way through, some I just read on a quiet day at work. I love reading about the CDT, as it was my favorite trail, so I read all the CDT journals I can find. Used to be I followed a lot of the AT and PCT journals as well, but now I only do that when it is a friend who is hiking. Since I plan to go back to the CDT, part of my reading is to see how it has changed over the past few years. Partly I just enjoy living vicariously when I’m not hiking myself.

Spirit Walker

#13

i post here because it feels good to pretend that i am an expert on this shat.
i read other peoples journals to wonder why anyone else would read thier journals instead of mine.
i read my own journal cuz its the best.

milo

#14

I have a crush on Leif, Zip Drive, Skeemer AND A-Train. Skittles is right cute too. Sorry guys, but Skeemer has the best legs.

The only problem with Trail Journals is that you can’t take it to the “the library.” It’s contemplative stuff. Some things are best lingered over.

Although, I suppose, if one had a laptop…

:wink:

Jan LiteShoe

#15

I’ll tack onto that crush list and include having a crush on HH and 'Shoe.

Bluebearee

#16

#4 & #5 for sure!

There’s only one reason I would start the AT in February and it ain’t because I like the cold;)

That reminds me, I need to start one of those journal thingies again. Or maybe not. Cold fingers and typing, people reading all your personal sh*t…

Apple Pie

#17

My hikes are getting longer and longer…It’s exciting to try out things I read about in the journals. I plan an AT and FT when I retire (under 2 years now!). Collecting gear and knowledge now, and a few trail miles here and there. I don’t have crush on any of you all, yet.

duffy

duffy

#18

I love you for many different reasons, let me count the ways.

1, 4, 5, 6, and 11

1-I’m always hiking the AT and I’m always planning to hike the AT (between hikes)

4-I’m addicted to hiking–great diversion from the real world I have to put up with. And hiking really kicks my a-- in a real good way.

5-Got better things to do, but this is one of my diversions.

6-Oh yes, I do like to stir up s— now and again. It makes life interesting.

#11–I am a student, always looking to learn something and trail forums is a great place to learn.

And speaking of crushes----still looking for a really really hot hiker chick to have a crush on. Maybe one day I will find her…

See you out there on the trail.

:cheers

Maintain

#19

To add a bit to some of them: TJ has definitely been as much as a morale booster as it has been a preparation aid. Also I think it should be pointed out that a lot of the pictures have valuable information in them as well. Some people don’t think to write about the little things, but I know that I’ve picked up almost as much info from browsing pictures as I have from reading journals.

Perhaps we need:

5(a) I’m an IT worker

At least from reading trail journals, it seems as though there are quite a few IT people who hike the trail. When you’re stuck behind a monitor all day, trail journals is a godsend, and compiling/rebooting/downloading is a great chance to do some reading, I now look forward to server update days, I get to spend almost the entire day reading TJ and “making sure nothing goes wrong”.

Wyatt (as yet trailnameless)

#20

#1. I’m preparing to hike the AT (as I do every year) and I’m researching the Trail, gear (ultra lite), food (new foods), hostels, stops…anything to help prepare myself. .

#3. I just find it interesting reading…following the individual adventures is like reading a novel. (I love looking at all the pictures from the journals, sometimes run into the hikers I read about).

#4. I’m addicted to anything that has to do with hiking…it’s all I care about.(That’s Me in a nut shell)

Happy Hiking.

POOH-BEAR

POOH-BEAR