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Phrases reminiscent of “hike your personal hike,” “the path offers,” “you pack your fears,” and “don’t stop on a nasty day” are steadily heard on US long-distance trails. Whereas pondering these oft-repeated expressions throughout a current trek round the Olympic Peninsula, I started musing about a number of the issues that thru-hikers by no means – or at the least very hardly ever – put into phrases:
1. “I want I didn’t deliver a lot chocolate.”
2. “This zero day actually sucks.”
3. “I can’t imagine how cozy my new 1/8″ CCF mat is!”
4. “Not a day goes previous after I don’t remorse ditching that camp chair.”
5. “Nah, I’m cool with a single scoop.”
Earlier than and after a 300 mi (483 km) hike round Washington’s Olympic Peninsula (September, 2024).
6. “I don’t settle for rides with strangers.”
7. “I’m digging the problem of placing on these moist toe socks.”
8. “I by no means get bored with Clif Bars.”
9. “Rawlins, WY, is my favourite path city in America.”
10. “I might have picked up final yr’s mannequin path runners for 60 p.c off, however I desire the colour combo of the 2024 version.”
Brooks Cascadia 17
11. “I’m so achieved with the outside after this journey.”
12. “Groundhogs, smoundhogs………shepherd hooks had been all I wanted for my hike throughout Iceland.”
13. “I’ll commerce you this packet of potato chips for some oatmeal and a handful of path combine?”
14. “Mushy? Nah, my actions have been rock stable for the entire month I’ve been out.”
15. “I notice it’s peak bug season, however I want I’d have saved some weight and left my head internet at dwelling.”
South of Lake Myvatn, Iceland Traverse (Late August, 2023).
16. “I really feel a lot safer figuring out that my mountaineering companion is carrying a gun.”
17. “I by no means appear to get my cash’s value at AYCE buffets.”
18. “I want this inflatable sleeping mat was a wee bit narrower.”
19. “Positive, I’d be completely satisfied to hold out your poop bag seeing as you’re not heading into city.”
20. “I’ve by no means felt so welcome on a path as I did on the japanese WA part of the Pacific Northwest Path.”
Japanese Washinton, Pacific Northwest Path (July 2011).
(Facet Observe: Whereas the US will be the “no trespassing” capital of the world, my favourite such signal might be the one I noticed on Stewart Island, NZ, in 2010……….)
21. “Thanks for the supply of a sizzling meal, however I feel I’ll keep on with my cold-soaked beans.”
22. “I can’t imagine how sturdy these Altras are!”
23. “Sorry, there’s no house.” (Situation: A fellow hiker arrives at a backcountry hut or lean-to late at night time and/or in stormy climate).
24. “As quickly as I end this thru-hike, I swear I’m going again to my 80-liter backpack and leather-based boots.”
25. “I’d somewhat be within the workplace.”
Yours really with the Dana Designs Terraplane backpack (7.28 lb/3.3 kg) and Scarpa boots on a thru-hike of the Pyrenean Haute Route in 1999.
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