Some hikers wear earbuds the entire time they walk the PCT. When I ask them what they're listening to the first reply with, "Huh?" Or "Sorry, I was listening to..." and then they wait for me to repeat my question. Usually I do just that and repeat myself. Occasionally I'll change the question. So what are they listening to? Mostly music from groups I've never heard of. Once in a while someone will say they're listening to a podcast, again it usually one I've never heard of.
So what do I listen to as I walk? Usually it's the rhythmic crunch, crunch, crunch of the gravel under my feet. The birds. The sound of my hiking stick tips as they strike rock, sand, duff, and so on with the variety of surfaces I walk. I also listen for the hiking sticks or footfalls of my hiking partner, if I have one at the time. I also listen for anything unusual, like a bear or deer, traffic, trains, thunder, etc.
Today started with me listening for people getting up in the church parking lot. There were quite a few hikers cowboy camping and tenting. I was awake at five but didn't want to wake anyone else. By 7:30 Rocky and I were on our way to the Red Moose Cafe for breakfast. We were joined by several other hikers which made for fun conversation. By 9:15 Rocky and I were listening for cars approaching from down the highway as we alternated between hitching and walking to the trailhead. A nice couple gave us a ride the last half mile or so.
We walked steadily uphill for the next seven miles as we headed for Sierra Buttes above Sierra City. At the top of the climb, as the trail leveled out, I gave a loud yodel to let everyone know I'd made it. That scared Rocky who thought something dreadful had happened to me. She scolded me a few times not to do that again. LOL
We're camped in the forest among tall trees now listening to the mosquitoes outside my tent. Soon I'll listen to my dreams.
Another hiker we caught up with as he walks though the moss covered trees.
Typical landscape at the tops of the ridges with igneous rocks, trees below, and peaks in the distance.
Hikingsolo
Enjoying your hike!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your posts again. My house is now Done! I'll be working on the yard, driveway and following your adventures.
ReplyDeleteProbably just need to work on your yodeling skills?
ReplyDeleteProbably just need to work on your yodeling skills?
ReplyDeleteI love this post because I think a lot about what I would do: listen to podcasts or force myself to be in the moment. The romantic woo-woo side of me thinks that you get so much more out of the experience, --that you grow so much, if you are forced to confront yourself as your only company and live in your own thoughts. But the other part of me, as you know, likes the company of Planet Money or such friendly voices.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are going with the audio black out. From your writing it sounds like you are waxing thoughtful.
I did give you a list of some of life's greatest questions to figure out before you left. I assume you are at least partially through those.