Date: 2010-05-14
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

"It Ain't About the Miles, It's About the Smiles"So on the boring days, I'd like to give you a look into our daily lives and the things we learn along the way. If you have any questions/suggestions for our next topic, please post them in our guestbooks and I'll write about it!Today I'll write about the types of people we've come to identify out here.Mileage Junkies: These people are only concerned about one thing, putting in the miles. They wake up while its still dark so they need their headlamps and hike until just before sundown. Their usual topic of choice is how many miles they put in today, how many they will do tomorrow and when they started. And please be quiet by 6pm so they can get their sleep. No talking. No sitting aeound a campfire. Do not have fun whilst they are sleeping. Scenery? What scenery? You can typically identify these people as having multipple foot bandages, chronic limping amd super small packs. This can be a very easy catagory to fall into if you dont watch yourself. Traveling in groups creats competition, and hearing repeatedly of others' 20+ days can sometimes create feelings of self doubt and push you to go farthers. And its addicting to want to up your mileage, hence the "mileage junky".Party Crowd: Generally opposite of the junkies. Spend only half of their day hiking and the other half sleeping in, napping, taking long breaks at vistas and swimming holes and staying up late to socialize. This group doesnt mind cutting a day short if happening apon a great location. Humping beers and spirits is not uncommon given the right circumstances and having a left handed cigarrette or two or three through out the day. Building a fire is a requirement. When coming to a town, they will often nero, then zero in town and nero back out. Blue blazing, yellowblazing, and scenic side trails are permitable. Getting to maine is not the only insentive.Ultralightists aka GoFreezers: Carry packs rated for 20lbs maximum (which doesnt mean it carries comfortable still) They ditch and form of shelter (tent/hammock/tarp) and shelter hop (hoping theres still room for them when they arrive). They use thin sleeping bag liners instead of sleeping bags and leave out the stove and fuel, meaning they only eat uncooked foods. Anything that is not essential is not carried. Often, utralightests are also mileage junkies.Mobile Homes: Opposite of ultra-lightests, carry expidition packs, not common or necisarry for AT hikers. They carry everthing but the kitchen sink and have pack weights over 50lbs (on avg. through hikers pack weights are 30lbs). Typically their pack weights decrease in time as their knees begin to blow out.Purists: Individuals whoe HAVE to walk every inch of the trail and pass every single white blaze. For example, if a huge obstacle such as a tree falls on the trail and your forced to go around it off the trail, you must first place your foot as far under the tree as you can, go around the tree and place your foot under the tree from that side before proceeding. Yellow and blue blazing is a sin.PLEASE NOTE: These descriptions are on the extreme of stereotypes and many people can be a combination. I'm not saying any one is right or wrong! This is a light hearted observation, not intended to be taken seriously. Hike your own hike!