Power hiker or meanderer?

“amazing stuff here.

I don't just enjoy what is around me, but what is ahead. Traveling by walking is a huge part of the experience, Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett-like, exploring.”

“power hiker or meanderer and all in between... ...EVERYONE i have had the good fortune to meet and share the path with from this site has been a "polestar" and source of great energy for me on the trails........and that is the truth.

(arclite....ready to get outta town and go kayaking anytime man! )”

“Dang, Sunshine - Sarabelle WAS right!
(she told me that she coulda sworn that you were checkin' out my butt!) hehehee!

OM - I would gladly be a rock (or bee or flower or bird or sunbeam or brook) along your path!”

“Im sometimes both. A great example was the ECT Roan mountain trip.On the way in I was not into it at all so I was a meandering.The next day on the way out I got into a groove and didn't want to stop.”

“So, how many meanderers cook a big breakfast and stick around camp, and how many power hikers pack the calories in as fast and flavorful as possible, then hit the trail? Put the endurance hikers in with the power hikers.”

“breakfast? whats that? I guess you could count the two powerbars I eat after packing up and moving out.”

“In Montana we "mosey".I just bought a coffee bistro that holds 16oz. . It goes great with a biscotti as we mosey down the dusty trail. The cowboys out here still use the old enamel coffe pot and cups, but I think they're secretly making lattes now. "N'other latte, Jake?"”

“Now I want to go hikin with i-am-om.

I don't do things the same twice. Weather changes my behavior. I can be on the trail at 4 am first light if it is going to be 100 degrees and I can fiddle around till noon too.

The times I have gone the fastest and the most miles were when I was hiking with folks I deemed to be a lot stronger hikers than I am. Then I just buzz it. All the kinds of hiking are good for me.”

“I was looking to add more power to my hike: tossed the MB Lights, started exercising more, then twisted the BEJESUS outta my ankle (damn asphalt). I'm working my way back to meandering, now.

Here's a favorite tidbit:

An excerpt from Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top.

Robert Pirsig”

“Man, I love that book. I discover something different evrytime I read it. Great for any trail.”

“Yall should try to hike with OM if you get a chance. She is one hip lady! A real treat to hang out with!
I'm a Power hiker so I do tend to miss things. OM never misses a thing.”

“I hike fast when I'm alone, but when I hike with others I just go at whatever pace their hiking.”

“I like to walk perty fast, but some times I hafta stop and smell wher a rok rat peed or look at a tree rat or somethin. Then, my daddy will be still walkin and I will hafta run some to get bak in the front. So I gess I like to walk regler some, run some, and stop some. I like to averge about eleventy hunnerd walks ever day.”

“I'm a speedwalker all the time. Because the scenery, surroundings, and sometimes the company are the whole point I try to slow down when I'm hiking. From the complaints of others, I'd say I'm not always very successful.”

“POWER HIKER!!!!”

“sklukaz? definitely a speed demon.. I have hiked with this person.”

“Oh come on TD, you didn't seem to have too much trouble keeping up. Especially considering the fact that you were wearing sandals.”

“Tilt!!! You're reading my book!!! YEAH!!”

“I am reading Into Thin Air

So far, not impressed”

“I'm not a power hiker. I hike at about 2 to 2.5 mph. I like to start early and keep going. I don't like to stop and go. If I do stop it is not long enough to drop my pack except at lunch for maybe 30 min.”

“Biz!!! Well, I *was* rereading it, but I leant it to some ethically challenged woman and I fear it's gone forever.

I did manage to transcribe my favorite passage before it disappeared, ;^) .

I've been thinking some more about this and I suppose under usual circumstances what I do is 'dawdle quickly'.”

“I had forgotten about that one..

"There's nothing up ahead that's any better than it is right here"

is my favorite.

I am only 75% through it. It's one of those books, though, that you can pick up and read any chapter at any time and get something out of it.”