Wait. You do guided hikes? Do you maybe go wander around Alaska for a few months by chance? I’ve enjoyed your stories.

I’ve seen some hikers complete a long trail like the PCT and wondered how they ever survived as they still seem lacking in some basic skills such as keeping their gear dry in bad weather. Its probably a good thing that the PCT is so benign most of the time. At the same time, I’ve seen some weekenders who seem to have their act together more despite having never done more than a few days out at a time.

I like to think that I have a good skill set, but I’ll readily admit that there are a lot of situations and conditions I’ve never been in and mistakes still happen on occasion. Head knowledge is good, but a poor replacement to real experience.

But in my experience, it’s not that most thru-hikers are trying to present themselves as the experts of the backpacking world, but other hikers just assuming that they must be and calling them that. Well perhaps a few are calling themselves that but I try not to cringe too much when I disagree with what they are saying.

Like I said, I am in agreement with you in regards to the thru-only’s level of skill. I just am not aware of those thrus that think otherwise.

Maybe I hang with the sane crowd.

I had to google Cody Lundlin. Reality TV is generally not a good example. 🙂

Just have to look at the number of websites from thru-hikers to see how many position themselves as some kind of guru, give talk/lectures in kind and the many people who drink the Kool Aid. Out of respect, I am not going to list them. A bit of cop-out perhaps, but that is honestly how I am feel.

“We cannot help it if the public overestimates us”

Isn’t that why I said? 😉 Thanks for agreeing with me!

As for leadership..there are people far better than me to listen to. I mean, I work in an unfulfilling job that pays the bills and not much else. Hardly a guide to live by. 😉

If push comes to shove in the wild I am looking to someone like you, Mags, for leadership. I have no delusions of grandeur. I know my place and am comfortable with that.

You’re right! The walls are closing in again!

Bob, take a deep breath and go out for a hike. You need it. 🙂

It seems to me your argument is be twofold; the public attributes expertise in area’s outside through hiking to through hikers and that you and others (including non-through hikers and other through hikers) have more experience in area’s not involved in through hiking than people who have only through hiked (no shit!). The elitist part to me is saying “they may have hiked 10,000 miles but they don’t have these skills!” . It’s not that far from saying “You may have through hiked 10,000 miles but you don’t know squat about avalanches!” You’re right! Through hiking makes you an “expert” at through hiking, not much else. Also I’m well aware you’ve done more through hiking, off trail travel and ski touring that I could dream of, which is awesome, I’m totally jealous and I aspire to do similar.

Why I keep arguing about this, I have no idea. I think I’m just bored at work instead of out hiking, so I apologize for that and hopefully I don’t come off as a dick on the internet, which is easy to do.

Don’t think it is elitist to state that thru-hikers aren’t the outdoor “experts” that the general public, or even themselves (!), make make them out to be. 🙂 So it goes…