Got told I was pushing too hard on the Pacific Crest Trail and it changed my pace completely

Last summer on a stretch near Muir Pass, an older hiker named Dave pointed out I was rushing past all the alpine lakes. He said I was covering 20 miles a day but missing the whole reason I was out there. I dropped my daily goal to 12 miles after that and actually started noticing the wildflowers and marmots. Has anyone else had a stranger's comment completely shift how they hike?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica92117d ago

Dropping from 20 to 12 miles is a big change but it sounds like exactly what you needed. People forget the PCT isn't just about covering ground, it's about being present in those high places. What was your favorite detail you started noticing after you slowed down?

paul_ramirez17d ago

Used to be all about the miles myself, thought slower was wasting time. But yeah, slowing down on a section last year I started noticing the tiny lichen patterns on the rocks and how the light hit them different times of day. Definitely changed how I see hiking now, it's way more about the little stuff.

-1

wood.uma17d ago

Nah, I gotta be honest, I still see it the other way. Slow hiking just feels like I'm missing the trail's flow. Yeah, lichen is cool and all but I feel more alive when I'm pushing myself and covering real ground. Different strokes for different folks I guess.