To you Weekenders And Console Addicts

“Thanks, folks! I should have known better than to ask help from a bunch of weekenders and console addicts. Well, at least you answered the negative of my question, Are you a Real Backpacker?


BTW, I did it myself in GSMNP___50 wet creek crossings, 32 in Eagle Creek and 18 in Lost Cove Creek. Sure was glad to have my crutches with me. Us disabled folks do not get any help or even respect around here.

Then, for a grand finale, wearing my backpack I swam across Fontana Lake and spent a wonderful night at the island campsite no. 87. Try that, you lazy, armchair, would-be hikers!

Sorry, three links did not work. I am on a spanish computer at a library and time is almost over.
last edited: 9/16/05 10:57:34 AM”

“take any pics?”

“ouch...that was a little harsh...sure there are different degrees of backpackers, some can get out more than others...if i remember right you didn't exactly give all that much notice...but it's all good, i understand you're frustrated”

“Nowslimmer is a real man. I bow to his massive testosterone and walking abilities. We are but posers in his shadow. Some day I won’t have to work and can also beat my chest in the wilderness and look down my nose at the employed.”

“ha i wish i had the time to do all that, to busy with school to even go for a day hike. it sucks”

“Brag, brag, brag! ;)”

“Nigal is my hero. He made a big splash, not only in the Raven Fork Creek, but as a dedicated backpacker. He drove many hours and hiked a sincere trail to join the others near CS#47, Enloe Creek, for a little, weekend enjoyment. Nice going, Nigal.

BTW, I've been managing to do this for many years, even while working and raising two daughters alone.

Yes, I took pictures. Got some good ones underwater. But go hike for your own pictures!!! [j/k] I plan a massive posting of pictures later this year. There will be some combining of Spring and Fall pictures.

I saw four additional backcountry rangers and talked to two of them. In a later trip report I'll be posting some interesting information about the conversation and more.

treebait - I feel those 50 wet creek crossings with my lousy knees give me some bragging rights for a little while. But I'll try to hold it down.”

“I get out 12-15 times a year. I just don't go around crowing about it like it's an extreme sport.

Congrats, you don't have to work and you can walk in the woods.”

“

"you don't have to work and you can walk in the woods."
Nigal

Nigal - I was it was that easy. When you leave home for months instead of a weekend or even a couple of weeks, it's a whole new ballgame. Unless a person has someone to take care of things at home, the logistics are completely changed. Somehow one has to take care of their obligations and responsibilities. And then there is preparation for changing seasons. It is almost enough to force a person to take shorter trips.”

“I don't know what started this thread, but is this some testosterone thing or something? Smells of something snotty that begins with E...haha

Who cares what anyone else does...



However - I would like you to explain this:
BTW, I've been managing to do this for many years, even while working and raising two daughters alone.

then you said:
Unless a person has someone to take care of things at home, the logistics are completely changed. Somehow one has to take care of their obligations and responsibilities.

So does that mean that the first part isn't entirely true?
last edited: 10/06/05 3:48:21 PM”

“twigeater - I'm not sure that I understand your question, but maybe this will help.

I raised one daughter alone for 9 years until she graduated from Johns Hopkins Univ. in 2000. Then I finally got another daughter back from Panama after she graduated from high school there in December, 2000. I had both with me for a while. One got out into the world and the younger one started college in the fall of 2001 and finally graduated from Grinnell College this Spring. She has been in Central America since I put her on a plane two weeks after graduation and will not return until Oct. 24th.

Part time work allowed me freedom to leave for two to four months at a time. This I did while my daughters were away at school or vacationing in the Republic of Panama. And some of these trips included going to visit my daughters at college.

And in the summer of 2000 I had the older of these two daughters plus another daughter and my grandson with me in GSMNP. At that time I was able to introduce my 22 year old daughter to her 33 year old sister.

I hope this explains enough for you. I believe everything I stated previously was true. If not, it is an unintentional error.
last edited: 10/06/05 4:16:16 PM”

“oh so it was AFTER you raised the kids that you could go away for months...”

“No, this has been happening since 1992.

"This I did while my daughters were away at school or vacationing in the Republic of Panama."
last edited: 10/06/05 4:17:45 PM”

“BTW, I started this string because I was mad at another poster. The poster started a subject on which, apparently, he did not have all the facts.”

““I don't know what started this thread, but is this some testosterone thing or something? Smells of something snotty that begins with E...haha”

I’m at a great disadvantage when it comes to being around other males because I absolutely hate the chest thumping, knuckle dragging mentality and I also hate the “been there done that” grunting attitude. It displays nothing but a weak male ego. There’s nothing I hate worse than hiking with someone for the first time and they start in with the one-upsmanship and the male ego bullchit. Makes for a long weekend because when someone seeks gratuitous attention I go right into ignore mode. This is one of the reasons I prefer the company of women in most situations.

”Who cares what anyone else does...”

Absolutely and yes, I got sucked into this thread hook, line and sinker.”

“Well said, FrankeNigal.
------------------------------

But I have been there! Guess I will have to write a book.

LOL.

[Waiting for the rain to quit.]
last edited: 10/07/05 10:02:10 AM”

“I'm still confused...

"This I did while my daughters were away at school or vacationing in the Republic of Panama."
last edited: 10/06/05 5:17:45 PM”
nowslimmer
5:16:50 PM
10/06/05

Did you send your daughters to boarding school? If you are talking college, then they were all grown up.

not that I really care, but it sounds like your situation IS different than most...

Nige, my testosterone comment was aimed at nowslimmer for starting the thread.

BTW - facts on TT??? what the heck is the world coming to???”

“"Nige, my testosterone comment was aimed at nowslimmer for starting the thread."

We are of a like mind Twig. I was agreeing with you. :)”

“oh goody, I love it when people agree with me!
:)”