Comments on: One step at a time, differently – Long Distance hiking vs. Thru-hiking https://pmags.com/one-step-at-a-time-differently-long-distance-hiking-vs-thru-hiking Practical advice and musings on the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, ski touring, and camping. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:02:08 +0000 hourly 1 By: Paul Mags https://pmags.com/one-step-at-a-time-differently-long-distance-hiking-vs-thru-hiking#comment-715536 Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:18:11 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=42217#comment-715536 In reply to Drew Smith.

They are maps, not territories.

That’s a fantastic and beautiful line. Thanks for sharing. And I wish I had thought of it!

]]> By: Drew Smith https://pmags.com/one-step-at-a-time-differently-long-distance-hiking-vs-thru-hiking#comment-715530 Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:51:35 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=42217#comment-715530 Total agreement. Categories (like “thru-hike”) are mind hacks. They are useful shortcuts, but they are maps, not territories. Everything in the natural world is connected. Categories create artificial boundaries where none actually exist. They are helpful only if not taken too seriously.

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