Jason-March 13--
This is the first real entry into the official 1999 PCT thru hike attempt journal.
WOW!! Here we are with a month to go until we'll be standing at the Mexican Border.
Why in the world are we doing it? It's the easiest question to answer for myself. The challenge of this explanation only comes when I'm trying to explain it to someone else. I've heard 1000 explanations for why someone would do this type of thing. I've heard people explain their reasoning with quotes from Walden Woods and I've met people that were simply AWOL from the US Army. The wilderness can be a good hiding place I guess. There are as many reasons for doing it as there are people doing it. For me it's simple. That's the reason. It's simple. The entire concept of a long walk is so simple. The days are filled with an easily recognizable beauty makes me smile in awe. The feeling of freedom is reached effortlessly and reminds me of my relative size. One of the goals, to hike 2700 miles in 5 months, though a very challenging task in itself, is defined simply. It is the simplest greatest physical challenge that I can present myself. One that I can quantify, organize, and enjoy. AAAHHHH...ENJOY. This, at certain times can be what many people find the impossible challenge. And a large on it is. The task of ignoring fatigue, physical discomfort, and lack of an air conditioner in order to be able to live in the moment, enjoying the fact that there is a masterpiece laying in front of you. It's the getting all the way into the outdoors that drives me as well. Living there. I don't know why sleeping next to the dirt is appealing. I guess you have to appreciate that without paying a price to get the real deal, your only looking through the glass at the museum.
I feel very fortunate at this point in my life to be able to attempt this trip. Placing ourselves in a position to spend this length of time outside was a challenge to say the least, but with support from work, families, and friends, here we are. Were gonna have a hoot. And the real beauty of it is we'll be there together.
Jason-March 13--
With just over a month to go I'm going to begin trying to document some of the pre-planning and other subjects of concern that fill the minds of a thru hike attemptee.
Jason March 27--
I'm at home in NC this weekend saying goodbye to all my friends and family.
Jason March 27--
This is Jason's somewhat confused dad who will be supplying the journalistic skill required to memorialize this epic adventure for two hundred million information hungry Americans.
Month/Day--
More to come....
