Do I hate weekend warriors?

I was in a conversation with a colleague (we are going to call him Frank) a few days ago regarding "weekend warriors" as he called them. This conversation turned into an interesting and fun debate. Enough so that I felt like sharing it.

Frank started the conversation off by saying that he hated "weekend warriors" (WW's). I first asked him how he wasn't a WW. Frank, you see, works a full time, 5 day a week, 10 - 6 job. Therefore, he only has two days a week to go out and get after it. Frank got defensive with my question, as you could imagine. A definition of what a WW is was needed for us to continue on.

Irrelevant picture #1

A WW, according to Frank, is an individual who only engages in outdoor activities on his/her days off. My initial question remained. Here is how he made the distinction between himself and what he considered a WW, "I am LIVING the dream." How is Frank "living the dream" more then a WW? Well, because he "get's after it every chance he gets." I proclaimed that only made him a super weekend warrior at which point, Frank threw his hands up in disgust with me.

While I had a bit of fun at the expense of Frank's poor argument it did get me thinking about the subject. If we stay in line with Frank's definition of WW's then in order to not be a WW you can't work. Work, at least for me, is a really hard thing to avoid. I think that it take a unique person and or trust fund situation to have the ability to live in our society and not work. There are some that are exceptional athletes or adventurer's that have the opportunity to get paid to go do cool shit all over the world. That demographic represents probably less then 1% of the population though.

Irrelevant picture #2

What I think Frank was getting at, but poorly stated in his argument, was its not the frequency of activity engagement that makes someone a WW. Rather it is the person's mentality that makes him/her a WW. The best way to make the distinction is there are three kinds of people in this world. There are people that are to tired from work to play (WW's), there are people who don't play at all, and then there are people who are to tired from playing to work. Personally, I love Monday's because I get to go to work and for some well needed R&R.

Irrelevant picture #3

In conclusion, I don't hate weekend warriors because they are the ones working while at work which gives me the opportunity to nurse my wounds and soar body from playing to hard. As for Frank, well, he has a lot to learn.

PCT...Does the C stand for Commercialized?

Recently I found myself on a section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in Southern Oregon. Now, while I was making my way along the trail I was noticing the blue diamond shaped markers place in the trees. These markers are approximately placed 30 to 50 feet apart, and they line the PCT.

These markers really got me thinking! And I kept asking myself the same question. Has the PCT gone commercial?

(Staff hiking PCT section in Southern Oregon)

Now, do not, and I repeat, do not get me wrong. I have a great deal of respect for anyone that treks the entire PCT. It is physically demanding and a great accomplishment. But at this point, to me, the mental aspect of it seems extremely dummed down to the point where anyone can do it.

(PCT in Southern Oregon)

What's the challenge? There are books that outline what you need to pack, how much time you need, the gear you should buy, the locations of where the next shower is, the addresses you need to ship your food to, the shops along the way, the what, why, and how is all done for you. To top it off you don't even have to worry about getting lost because the markers lead the way.

(PCT in Southern Oregon)

Isn't half the fun of an adventure like the PCT planning and figuring out all the details? How is just showing up fun?

(Staff hiking PCT section in Southern Oregon)

Now, I know some readers will ask, well have you hiked the PCT. The answer is no, and I know that I lose some credibility because of that. But the truth of the matter is that I currently have zero interest in hiking the PCT with the hundreds of other hikers that are out on their field trip. For me there are better adventures. Ones that are still pure and haven't been dummed down for the masses. If I run out of idea's and creative adventures in my lifetime then I will hike the PCT.

(Staff hiking PCT section in Southern Oregon)

I think that occasionally we get become so passionate about our activities and hobbies that all we want to do is share them other people. We want to see more and more individuals also feel passionate about what we do. In order to do this we have to make the activity accessible. This is both fortunate and unfortunate. Again, I find myself asking the question, are we commercializing an activity like hiking the PCT to much?