From the PCT
The Mechanics of Motion:
Typically I will lead with Debi in the middle and Jon in the back. Except in the downhill areas, then Jon leads with Debi following and me taking up the rear. We will start in close proximity to one another but as the long hours drag on we will find ourselves 100-200 yards apart. Strangely enough though we all have similar paces...this is a good thing because it means that we will not have to go look for other hiking partners along the trail.
The day will usually start out with a good 45 minute to hour long warm up hike. Time on the trail is relative. Once we hike 30 minutes we look for a good open spot past that warm up area. At that point we take off our packs and all stretch together. After about 15 minutes of stretching we continue hiking. From there it is all hiking at our own pace, (or anothers pace to chat) until lunchtime.
"always a location, never a time" - typical thought for lunch and camping destinations. While hiking we walk in our own microcosm where we wonder, reminisce, observe, focus on breathing, figure out how to lighten the pack, or zone out. We try not to think of the squeking sound our packs may make or the extra water we are probably carrying.
While hiking I tend to see alot of the same stuff for long hours, so my eye wanders to the rare and unusual stuff.
The animals - since i have left i have seen countless bugs, 12 rabbits, 15-20 Lizards, 2 horny horny toads, a number of birds, and a frog.
But more interestingly I was watching the ground as I walked and noticed the most beautiful bug I have seen. It was a little bigger than an ant, almost the size of a small bee. It looked like two red velvet eggs held together at the narrow ends by a black silk belt. That bug made the next mile or two of the hike go by fast. I pondered what it could be, and kept my eye open for more.
I also try to notie the subtle changes in the trail. These changes are more apparent when you are walking with your eyes turned to the ground, something that occurs often for me. Today I noticed that the pine needle encrusted earth turned to a leafy green vegetated area. I looked at the contours of the land and realized that the greener area receved nearly no direct sunlight.
I also have spent a fair amount of time looking at the trail and observing how the trail will change from a red rock, to grass and pine needles, to a granite, to what appeaed to be "fool's gold" fleks. These changes occur over elevation changes.
One last thing on the Mechanics of motion. Hiking with trekking poles takes abit of time to get used to. Planing each step and each placement of a trekking pole can be mentally exhaustive but fun at the same time. While in a city you don't really have watch where you step you do have to on the trail. Most the time the thought is second nature, but when the trail gets extra rocky the premeditated step and pole placement take up a good portion of the thinking mind. While the trail may not be the easiest to hike on...with many opportunities to slip and twist an ankle the mind helps you maneuver the stones simply.
Happy Trails, Inner Peace, & Harmony