It goes without saying I will miss my family, home and friends while I’m on the trail. I’m going to miss my coworkers and job as well. That is all a given. The trail removes you from everyday life and relationships. It also removes most modern conveniences. That’s one mental aspect I’ve been thinking about while I’ve been training – i.e. walking for miles with an overloaded/uncomfortable daypack. As a form of mental preparation, I’ve come up with a short list of modern conveniences I think I’m going to miss on the PCT and those I think I won’t. No doubt the journey will change the way I see/think/feel about many things. I just can’t predict exactly how or what it will change. In a way this list is a wager with myself – what everyday life conveniences will I truly miss and appreciate once I’m out there? And how right/wrong (naive?) was I?
Note: Most of these fall into the category of “duh.” There are many more and obvious things people might add to the list. But I’ve backpacked some so I know what backpacking ‘deprives’ you of. Part of backpacking is knowingly going without. That’s one of the things I like about it. For example, going without a flushing toilet is just part of the deal. I don’t think I’m going to miss it because it wouldn’t be backpacking if I had one.
So here are my predictions….
What I think I’m going to miss:
1. Daily hot shower *
2. Ice cubes
3. My Sonicare Toothbrush**
4. Hair Color
5. Washing my hands with soap vice Purell
6. Not having to dig a 6 inch cat-hole
Things I do not think I’m going to miss –
1. Mirrors (see #4 above)
2. Flushing toilet (except for the part about digging above)
3. Clean clothes everyday
4. The News
5. The internet***
* I know, I know, not having a shower is ‘part of the deal’ when backpacking. I don’t care. It’s still my #1.
** Yes, I will have a toothbrush with me, just not my beloved Sonicare.
*** Except when I want to post updates and photos
I’ll add more as they come to me. At the end of the journey, I’ll revisit this to see how my predictions held up.