Mikel1971 - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2014

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Day 5 and 6

I had two great days. Starting in Mount Laguna with a little stuntshow, rolling down a small hill at the very beginning of the hike. This was a good reminder to watch EVERY step. :-) The views this day were amazing and I safely arrived at Sunrise Trailhead at about 4 pm. After filtering water out of a horse trough and having my first outdoor dinner I pitched my tent and got ready for the night. The wind made it a bit hard to sleep but it was okay. It was gorgeous to be in a tent out in the wilderness.

I got up with the rising sun and hiked out with enough water to get me to the next source. Again I enjoyed the landscape and the views. I met some really nice people out there and enjoyed a very interesting chat with Prometheus at the spigot of Rodriguez Spur fire tank. Okay actually it's more a hose than a spigot but it was fine. My water management worked pretty well. The hike to Scissors Crossing was hot, long and exhausting with some extraordinary views.

During the day a thought built up in my mind... why are we hiking? Of course I saw some out there really enjoying what they did but for the majority it seemed to be more like a torture. So why are these hiking? Why am I? Is it the Ego so addicted to success, to this short climax of satisfaction, knowing that it will leave a bitter taste when it's over, that forces us to go beyond our abilities? Or is it on the other hand the Ego (mostly big enough to deserve a capital E) which is trying to push us back into our comfort zone in fear of change and the outcome of it? Or is it neither nor or both? Everybody might decide for himself/herself.
So eventually I ended up thinking about the purpose of this hike for me.
Some try to escape from their life but looking back at mine I think I had and have a pretty cool one therefore now reason to escape.
I have to admit that telling people about my great achievement is a sweet idea for me. But looking closer the only people who would really care (and count) are the ones who care about me already, they want me to be happy no matter what I'd do.
Some hike to find some purpose on the hike so I investaged this. I think my life have some very good purposes,?? in my opinion worth hundred times more than every step on the trail. Being a good son, brother, uncle and friend means so much more to me!
So what was the purpose of my hike? I couldn't find it and that's why I stopped hiking!

Good luck and happy trails to all out there. May you find your purpose and succeed!

Sorry that this entry is not just about hiking and the trail but maybe this is just a glimpse on what can happen on the PCT!

Thanks for listening
Mario

Entry 21 of 21
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