#Halfway Anywhere

[pcttrailsidereader]

The Interesting Weird Division

Mac who writes a frequent blog about his adventures hiking, biking, and so many other outdoorsy activities recently posted an essay entitled, 'The Interesting Weird Divide'. In that post Mac describes the reaction of friends, family, and others to your decision to do some (seemingly sounding) epic adventure like hike the PCT. His view is once you do such a thing your friends, family, and others will display a great deal of interest initially and especially once you return. You may get a party, some cake, and lots of kudos. Then before you know it you have been invited to join in on, or determined on your own, some new/next adventure/challenge. This leaves some scratching their heads while still others are patting you on the back.

To get more of Mac's description of this phenomena go to his website, https://www.halfwayanywhere.com and read his post.

Mac got me to thinking about my own experience. I along with two best friends have hiked the PCT. Mostly we have done this in the company of each other. Our overall experience was a bit different from the typical thru hiker. We hiked the PCT in sections over time. Technically you would refer to us as we refer to ourselves as 'section hikers'.

When we started our intent was to get to Rainy Pass from the Columbia River in the thirty days we had to do it. By today's standard that may sound meager but however you view it, our view was and still is, we embarked on an epic journey. Our friends and family were impressed with our ambitious plan. Many were excited for us. Since we all lived in Washington at the time this hike seemed the most logical and practical place to experience the PCT.

Two of us on the Washington PCT

Upon our return we were greeted with excitement, admiration, and questions. "How was it?" "How far did you go each day?" And the ubiquitous question, "...see any bears?". At that point we were mostly done with PCT short of returning two years later to finish the last section and get to Canada. We had officially hiked all of Washington.

Upon achieving that goal the PCT lay dormant in each of our lives for about ten years. In the intervening time we became separated by significant geographical distances, settled down (some), got married and had children. Then like any dormancy a desire woke up in all three of us and we were planning another PCT hike. Because of our personal and career obligations we could not take thirty days this time but a bit less and no less meaningful or important to all three of us.

This is where that "interesting weird division" started happening to us. We were now officially bitten by the PCT 'bug'. Our friends and family still had questions and mostly supportive comments then and each time after that. However we were crossing a line. A point of no return. With each trip we officially crossed that interesting-weird divide. Eventually, like Mac says, "You will return as the “weird friend/relative” who does outdoor things for extended periods.' That is who we became. The farther south on the PCT we went the less familiar friends and family were with what we were doing. That lack of familiarity may add to the overall weirdness of our adventures. Please don't read 'weird' as being a bad or negative thing. Rather it is a demarcation, an identifier that speaks to being unusual or different.

None of this deterred us. With each trip we became more resolved than ever to keep biting off pieces/sections of the PCT. By crossing the divide we had established an identification as serious hikers dedicated to the Pacific Crest Trail and everything it offered. Maybe we were seen as a bit weird or unusual for continuing to go back to the PCT. Our extended hikes remained epics for us and are still thought of in those ways. Since our PCT hikes we have gone on to attempt parts of the Long Trail and the Colorado Trail. Yes, we do like these extended hikes and most of all we like being together. There is nothing weird or unusual about that.

In our case the division we have created by our hiking choices are more multipliers. Every time we have gotten out together it has been a set of experiences multiplied by joy, excitement, humor, pain, exhilaration, and friendship. I will cross over that division every time.

[they-didnt-last]

anyone interested in talking about the iconic 2000's middle-grade-bordering-on-ya book series gallagher girls??

[skapediem]

hey the computer program created from my likeness saw you from across the bar and we really hate your vibe. we're gonna run an exposé on you to put an end to your unethical business practices

[gayofthefae]

Okay but Mike knowing that Will liked him past tense is the juiciest option I feel like. Like knowing that he liked him at the time of the painting. And the heartbreaking story of if he knew exactly what Will was doing (but also knew that there was no way of telling Will that he knew and that he didn't mean it etc. and no reason to anyways because he wouldn't be able to go back on it).

And reworking the playlists, it supports this.

These two songs in particular stood out to me

And it ends repeated to himself like a mantra.

He wanted Will to make a move. And he watched as he decided he wouldn't.

And then that comes back around to the idea of "if he had feelings for me but pushed me away that's still a rejection, he still didn't want me" and all the different options are just oh so juicy.

Whether he knows about the painting itself or not, I think now that he got from the delivery what he needed to know. Even if they were verbatim El's words, Will was invested in them and that tells Mike something.

He knew. And when the next thing happened, he understood it

He just begged it not to be true.

Sometimes the most heartbreaking Mike is the one who knows exactly what he lost. The one who knew exactly what he was doing.

[trelkez]

I'm giving my queue some time to recover today, like I'm not spending the entire day at work so far thinking about Buck's face when he said "good, that's a relief"

[ladynicte]

Nico who has been deified after his death. Nico who's sure, after all this time, he's finally managed to let go of his older sister's death, of course, it still hurts, and of course, he will never forget her, but that fiery hatred and overtaking sadness, has finally been put to rest.

Nico knows and understands that his sister chose to move on without him, and that's okay, no it's never gonna be okay but he's made his peace with that too, and now, that he's an inmortal himself he never expects to see Bianca again.

Nico lives easy. He works for his father, he sleeps for a couple decades at a time, sometimes he goes back to Camp, takes care of some kids during their quests here and there, but for the most part, he's a chain-free roaming God.

And then, one day at Camp Nico meets her, a tiny little girl, with how long he has lived, time has become almost impossible for Nico to really track down anymore, but he's sure this girl can't be more than 10.

And something about her eyes, her dark, void-like eyes, and her long black hair, and her proud stance. It really reminds him of somebody else.

The girl is all alone, no little brother or older sister of her own, no parents either, apparently, she's a child of Hekate, but that really doesn't matter.

Something about the girl's every move, about the way she approaches the darkness without fear, about the way she approaches him, like she's known him all his life, the way she uses her whole body when talking.

It reminds Nico of Bianca. This girl's soul is just like Bianca's.

And Nico supposes it's no longer a fatal flaw, but he still doesn't know how to let go.

Nico immediately claims her on the spot, lets her sleep on the Hades Cabin, helps her out with everything, takes care of her for years and years.

It's the first time in centuries, that Nico as a God feels connected to his mortal side.

When the little girl cuddles against him, because she's had yet another nightmare about manticores and huge robots, while Nico quietly tries to hug her, and reassure her she's going to be fine, he even starts thinking that maybe his family has grown, yet again.

And then, she's send off on a Quest, Nico loudly protests against it, because he knows how those end.

Because, he still remembers waking up screaming and trashing, in the middle of the night, inside the Hermes Cabin, surrounded by strangers and shadows, as he felt Bianca's soul perish away.

But it's no use, the Oracle of her time had already issued her prophecy, this new girl, Rachel having long since passed away, who Nico feels almost comfortable cursing in the spot, just like his father had done so many centuries ago.

The little girl leaves, and Nico now has nobody to swear to keep her protected. Nico knows it's useless to try to convince her to stay, but he still does, it doesn't work, it never has worked

But truth is, she doesn't even look scared.

She's excited, and ready, and determined, and Nico has to wonder if this is how Bianca looked like, during her last week on Earth, too.

The girl leaves and she doesn't come back.

Nico thinks, it should be easier by now. It isn't, it's never gonna be it

Hades catches Nico roaming mindlessly around Elysium, after noticing his absence from The House, for what's either days, or years.

Hades mournfully reassures Nico that Bianca is not there anymore. No, not this time, not last time, not next time either.

After that, Nico chooses to abandon Camp fully, once again, he doesn't come back for another few centuries, until Hermes asks him for help getting his children to satefy at Camp.

Nico swallows the bile, that he's sure a Godly body like his own, shouldn't be able to produce anymore, shakes Hermes's hands, and tells his cousin his children will make it through, just fine.

Nico rescues the kids, regretfully send them off to live all cramped up together at their Father's Cabin forever, but one of the boys of the bunch, just has such dark eyes, like a black hole consuming souls.

And he stands so proud, and Nico just knows once more, and all at once, because he would recognize Bianca's soul anywhere.

In life, in death, at the end of the world, in a Hekate's daughter, in an Hermes's son, it doesn't matter, the person standing in front of him, is simply Bianca in another skin.

Bianca, being a wild hero once more, and Nico has to wonder if she can see him as clearly as he can see her.

Bianca is the only one after all, who has known him all his life, Bianca knew his name before it was even his own. Nico was born knowing her.

If she can see him, or if she can't, Nico doesn't even know which one would hurt more.

Time passes, and if Nico let's the boy sleep at the Hades Cabin, because the nightmares about manticores, giant robots, and magic are too much to bear, and he can't even scream in peace inside the Hermes Cabin, well, that's only Nico's own business to know about.

Nico realizes, after a few ages of Godhood, that The Fates like repeating their own stories.

Nico knows he hates all of them, deeply and purposefully.

The Oracle comes up to the boy, Nico is sure she must be a new girl, but all the girls Apollo chooses all look the same, and she is the same, she gives the hero the prophecy that will bury him.

And, it doesn't even take Nico a glance to know, that this is where that boy's life thread is cut.

Nico wants to sneer, this would be Bianca's third death, and if a hero dies three times they get the special prize, and yet.

Nico begs the boy to not go, because they both know he's not gonna make it back.

Bianca never has. Bianca never does. This is Bianca's fate. She was already dead before the story even began.

But the boy doesn't even break eye contact with Nico, as he tells Nico that he's very kind, and that he loves him too, but no way.

He's gonna go, and so, the boy does.

The boy leaves and he doesn't come back, and Nico has to crawl at his Godly skin, and remember the sensations, of back when there was human flesh, and blood running through his veins.

And that's just the thing isn't it, that Bianca is never going to stay by his side, because she doesn't want to.

[eye-of-yelough]

someone come hold a gun to my head and make me finish the gortae meeting fic. please

[jigsawkillings]

John. I think we deserve an explanation. And don't hit us with any evasive answers, I'm fed up with this. Hes important? Whatever. But do you see how much he acts like a conceited piece of shit? That he behaves as if no responsibility could reach him?He literally threatens us with more traps. And Larry? He threatens to hurt himself if Larry leaves him. He says all this like he knows the fuck all even though he only knows superficial information. We can't work with someone who is toxic and doesn't have even the slightest respect for... Anyone.

I just want to know why. And maybe it would be nice if you could talk some sense into him if you really want him here. Because if he continues to have this attitude, I won't stop Mark. I won't hold back either. And I want to hear the answer from you, I'm not going to listen to that piece of shit.

- @jigsawsfavorite

╰➛ ❝ I’ve been reading all of these… Posts. His behavior won’t be defended by me, since I don’t agree with what he’s been doing. In fact, I’d say it’s a tad bit… Dramatic. However, I’ll discuss all of this with him once things cool down. He did just get... kicked out after all. It's not the best time for that. ❞

╰➛ ❝ What he said was correct. I hadn't told any of you due to me believing that there was no reason as to why you all should know. If there's someone you all can be mad at, have it be me. I don't care, really, I have other things to worry about and handle besides all this. Adam has his right to act however. I may not be a fan of it, and I'll talk to him about it like I said prior, but he can still act. Same for all of you. BUT, did I ever say directly, word for word, that I'd immediately put you all in a trap without any discussion first? No. I only stated that if you all wouldn't LISTEN to me or even ATTEMPT to talk to me, I'd do so. And I know you would do one or the other. If it even got to that bad of a situation, I don't think I'd even do a trap, just a strict talk. I'll be honest. There's merely nobody in the right here. Yes, there's reasons for frustrations, but there's absolutely NO excuse for how everyone here is acting. Immediately resorting to anger, insults, murder, and threats? You think I'm not going to at least partially defend someone from that? If you all were to go against each other I'd do the damn same for any of you. It's just simply a shame I haven't been around enough to do so before if it has happened prior. There's other ways to handle things like this, such as a calm discussion. ❞

╰➛ ❝ Don't assume that all of this is based on him either, I've seen all the other fights you all have had before. Even with smaller things. There's naturally going to be a bias based off of what has happened before and after the situation, even behind the scenes of all this. ...All of you have been starting issues among each other and it's tiring. It's not the first time I'm going to have to handle this, and I'm sure it won't be the last. If I need to resort to other measures to discuss this, wether it is a group meeting, or some form of other plan, I will. Don't assume I won't do anything for you or anyone else. I needed to make a statement anyway, it just took me a while. You all need to take a step back from this and take time to relax, that's all I will say. ❞

[berryblu-soda]

Anyways update i just didnt bother to post earlier:

fr God is good and the whole car crash my parents got into last week was so incredibly mild in terms of injuries!!!! worst was a bruised knee im pretty sure

ALSO-

*taps mic* HUG YOUR FREAKING LOVED ONES OR SO HELP ME!!!!!!!

[yinyuedijun]

damn I literally forgot how to write I've never struggled so much over 2.5k words before

[pcttrailsidereader]

Halfway Anywhere: a PCT Gem

The 2023 PCT Hiker survey results that has been compiled for more than the past decade has been posted by Mac on his website Halfway Anywhere. Mac has been putting out the survey for the past eleven years and each year it gets better and more revealing. In 2023 there were 750 responses. We will share reactions to some of the data in the time ahead. For now, taking a look at hiker demographics seems like a great place to begin. I have copied Mac's data illustrations into this post.

Demographics

Beginning by looking at gender males still dominate the number of hikers on the PCT. However it appears more and more women are finding their way to the trail. As society gets more comfortable with sexual identification it appears that respondents to the survey are identifying preferences that otherwise may have not been identified. This is another form of diversity among PCT hikers.

PCT Hiker Gender

57.9% – Male

40.2% – Female

1.6% – Non-binary

0.3% – Genderqueer

PCT Hiker Age

The 25-29 year olds were the majority in the 2023 class. My age group was adequately represented but not as well as the 25-34 year olds.

0.9% – < 20

12.1% – 20-24

26.9% – 25-29

21.2% – 30-34

11.3% – 35-39

9.8% – 40-49

8.0% – 50-59

8.3% – 60-70

1.5% – 70+

PCT Hiker Race

It was surprising to me that just over 88% of the respondents to the survey identified as White. Despite efforts to diversify the PCT and the PCT experience, Caucasians in 2023 are still in the majority of PCT hikers. This is a fairly consistent trend over the past seven years of Halfway's data.

88.7% – White

3.8% – Asian

3.6% – Two or More Races

1.5% – Hispanic or Latino

0.3% – American Indian or Alaska Native

0.3% – Middle Eastern

1.9% – Prefer not to answer

PCT Hiker Education

Just over 70% of the 2023 class identified as having a Bachelor or Master's degree. That suggests a well educated group of hikers. I am the first to say college is not everything or as a result sets someone on a higher plain than the rest of society. I find it interesting how many of the responses were from a large majority of college graduates or people with some college background.

46.9% – Bachelor’s degree

23.7% – Master’s Degree

11.7% – Some college

4.7% – High school or equivalent

3.5% – Associate degree

2.4% – PhD

1.3% – JD

1.3% – MBA

0.9% – Trade School

0.8% – 12th grade or less

0.7% – MD

0.1% – CPA

0.1% – DCS/DEC

0.1% – DDS

0.1% – DO

0.1% – DPT

0.1% – DVM

0.1% – EdD

1.1% – Prefer not to answer

As you can see the hiker survey has much data to mine. This is the tip of a very large iceberg that can be found at Halfwayanywhere.com. We will continue with reactions to some of the data that stood out to us in later posts. We hope you will find it as interesting if not a bit surprising as we do.

[aconstantmonologue]

The Doctor landing with yet another terrible park job about to take the first mildly interesting person he finds for a time traveling adventure

[papermint-airplane]

I hate it when I have Ideas™ because then I have to figure out how to execute those Ideas™ and it becomes a whole big thing and I'm super drained but my Ideas™ are the only thing sparking any excitement in me right now.

So I guess I'm going to have to start experimenting with ReShades again because it's part of my Ideas™ (Is this getting old yet? Too damn bad, I'm not gonna stop doing it). It's just...you know...I have no idea what I'm doing.

[rusanya-does-edits]

Okay, do y'all even KNOW how fuckn' little there is of Terrain of Magical Expertise (TOME) stuff? Like we only watched the youtube video series and like, had zero clues there was even an actual literal RPG for this. And we also keep FORGETTING the RPG exists. Girl help we're stuck in 2020 but the fictional 2020 that is also like, 2013.

Also, watching it originally in 2020 after a literal decade of avoiding it for...whatever reason, had us feeling weirdly sardonic LOL.

Anywayssss we couldn't find jack shit for Alpha last time we check Tumblr -- *sobs in fictives who have extremely niche sources up the wazoo* -- so we did our own transparents in case we or other people who do edits need them. Q~Q

More specifically his Season One and Demon forms we say as we check another two boxes in the "signs of plurality list called "disappointed the virus and alpha didnt learn to coexist as like an adaptive system," and "being SAD AS FUCK that Kirbopher and Zetto were not also like, an endogenic plural system like us god FUCKING damnit," and we'll probably do Kirbopher next and then Flamegirl and Nylocke we guess

Because we're definitely NOT biased and NOT highly interested in those characters in particular ahaha.

Please know there are at least five of us who feel VERY awkward right now but also kinda want/need these. And also usually only talk via secondary influence. Because of how awkward this is.

Also the fandom on tumblr here iwrc is so small there is a non-zero chance we'll get our ass blocked by Distant/Drifted Away Childhood Friend and probably most of the fandom if they aren't chill like at all about systems and are still on here. But it's worth the transparent because like...no resources for pride icon and fandom icon editors. Including ourselves. :')

[wrestlezon]

does anyone have a document or a list (with dates/citations/etc) following along with the toni storm and mariah may thing from the start by any chance? or do i gotta just start ctrl+f-ing through f4wonline aew results to track it down

[sureuncertainty]

if i have to see one more post about disney from people who don't work here or at least live in the area i'm gonna lose it