Learning Curve: Breaking Loose

[Backpacking Light]

BPL Columnist Maggie Slepian wrestles with safely expanding her skills without getting in a rut.

Learning Curve: Breaking Loose

[Scott Chandler]

As I tell my newbies “If we go that way, we’ll eventually cross a trail, if we go that way, eventually we’ll run into a road and if we go that way, we’ll eventually run into a good sized stream, which we follow down to a trail.” I tend to boundary up the untracked area I go into with surrounding trails or roads, so you know you’re never lost. Maybe you don’t know where you are, but you’re never lost.

[Jim Morrison]

There s always some “Risk Management”  You have to evaluate the risk and the reward or benefit.  It is a learning curve, or was for me for many years. Some of the best fun was to watch new people push the limits of their mountaineering skills and endurance and see the self confidence that resulted.   But as I get older I don’t as far or as fast as I used to.  I still very much enjoy getting out once a week, but as you get older perhaps it is a bell curve at least as far as distance and elevation gain go.

Thanks for the article and the pics.  You and your friend rock!

Jim

[Yun Wang]

Thank you so much Maggie! It’s so inspiring to read articles from you. Cheering for your gains! I’m new to hike and doing it alone before it is safe to gather, just in need of encouragement like such from your sharing. Happy Thanksgiving and happy walking!

[Eugene Hollingsworth]

Good essay by Maggie!

[Author]

Posts