Monday, June 18, 2012

June 18th Homeward Bound

As much as I don't want this to be true I am not wanting to go back into the mountains. Even the glorious High Sierras aren't enough of a pull to get me beyond the mental place I currently find myself.

I've learned something about myself. It is very hard for me to quit something that has been a long term goal and focus of my energy. While I understand the goal was mine to make, and change if I want to do so, it still feels like a failure to quit.

I guess from the beginning I didn't know if I had it in me to do the whole thing in one season. Maybe that's why I always qualified my statements with "I'm attempting" the PCT or "that's the goal" when I spoke of my plan. I didn't know if I liked thru hiking or simply the idea of thru hiking. Of course there's only one way to find out but still, I am disappointed to find out I liked the idea more than the reality.

A secondary goal might be to take some time off and then in early August go to Ashland and walk north from there. That would give me two months to get as far north as possible. Canada possibly but somewhere in Washington for sure. That would make me feel somewhat better about the whole thing.

So here I sit, having tea in the Java Joint, it's 3:49 Monday afternoon, I have taken two buses today and I find myself in Mammoth with five days till the next bus going west. I don't know what I will end up doing.

Anyone interested in driving over to Mammoth to pick up a wayward hiker?



6 comments:

  1. Oh I know that feeling.

    Hold your head high though!! Hiking is not about reaching the end of some trail - it is about being out there. You are out there, have been out there, and will hopefully keep going out there!!

    Where at from Mammoth do you need a drive too?

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    1. Hi Highliter. I'm looking to get to Santa Cruz, but anywhere west of the Sierras would work. There are buses over there that would get me home. Thanks for your kind words.

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    2. Sorry, that would be Hikelighter. Apparently I can't read very well!

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  2. Shelly, I can come rescue you. I always wanted to be a knight in shining armor. I won't be able to pick you up until Wednesday because my car is getting worked on tomorrow. Where is Mammoth????
    Beth

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  3. I am over in Eureka CA... about 6 hours away from you IIRC. If nobody else steps forward to help you out, I can make the drive over there and pick you up. Would just ask that you cover my gas costs and find me somewhere to camp out over, there for the drive back the next day. I have not been to SC in a waaaay long time. Looks to be about 450 miles from up in Mammoth, CA down to SC. We can make that drive in one day. Email me at john@hikelighter.com if you want too.

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  4. I agree with Highlighter. You are an amazing woman, Shelly. Once again you were faced with a challenge, evaluated your situation, and made a decision with your best interest and health in mind. You are an inspiration to me. Take gentle care, my friend!

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