Ever Cried On The Trail ?

[RossSFCA]

When both of my knees went out at 11,000 feet in the air, and I collapsed on a rock on the side of the John Muir Trail where I knew I was two full days away from the nearest highway, I got very frustrated. Maybe I cried... I know I cried out in frustration. I would have earned the right to cry after busting my @ss on the JMT and thinking I might not be able to complete the challenge.

BUT, I didn't mash the "SOS" button on my SPOT GPS. I just sat there for a bit, took in the scenery, thought about all the people back home who believed in me, and then (miracle or not), I was able to stand up and make it over the pass... and I completed the JMT! And then I wept with joy.

If I get frustrated on my AT thru-hike this year, you might hear me in my tent, but if that is what it takes to scrub away the frustration and negative emotion, so I don't quit, then I will cry when I need to... like Holly Hunter in "Broadcast News"!


Ross
(and yes, they call me DirtyGirl)

[DBCFlash]

I've never cried on the trail, but blubbered like a baby when I had to put my old dog Lucky to sleep. Still brings a tear to my eye when I think about it.

[tuswm]

On the JMT this yeaer I witnessed a 20 something female fall in bear creek (flood year from snow). I was putting my shoes one and didnt get there fast enough to do any good. She lost some of her gear and still had over 100 miles left. The water was ice cold. Once she was safe one the banks she lost it.

A few days later I made fun of her. Then Karma got me. Later that day I steped off a log at a stream crossing in to mud. The mud wasnt mud. The mud was just gunk floathing on water. I fell in to head deep water. Right in front of like ten people. More people then I had seen in the past 3 days. I was covered in mud and gunk by the time I got out. We all had a good laugh. Some how my down and electronics stayed dry.

[K_Squared]

Wow, yall are tough! After reading yall's posts, I guess I cried a lot!

- climbing out of Bly Gap (1st cry on the trail)
- in a nasty, cold rain coming off Roan Mountain. I thought my fingers were going to freeze off
- when we ran out of water outside of Port Clinton, PA
- After my 3rd day of giardia in CT
- Hitting Andover, ME after some rugged mountains and realizing that although we were in Maine we still had over 200 miles to go (mentally I was done)
- hiking across the tableland and seeing that wonderful sight of the Katahdin sign after 2,175 miles!

All the blood, sweat and TEARS was worth it. What I would give to go back and do it all over again

[BlackJack1]

climbing out of Bly Gap (1st cry on the trail) I was scared at Bly gap in Feb 2011 it was half rain, half ice, too cold to snow, and nowhere to rest.

[Tenderheart]

I know hikers don't cry but I almost did when I was solo on the A.T. in the winter and I got lost right before sunset with no water. I went 19 hours no food or water. I had food but no water to cook with. I found the trail the next day luckily. What about you?

In 2000, when I reached Mt. Washington, the weather was terrible and the trail was closed across The Presiidentials. I was completely worn out and had no choice but to take the taxi down and try again the next day. I called my wife from the snack shop and cried like a baby. Yes, a baby.

[Kookork]

In 2000, when I reached Mt. Washington, the weather was terrible and the trail was closed across The Presiidentials. I was completely worn out and had no choice but to take the taxi down and try again the next day. I called my wife from the snack shop and cried like a baby. Yes, a baby.

Bro, As your chosen name ( not the one that your parents gave to you) is Tenderheart .You have every right to post here about crying on trails.

People with tough trail (or Whiteblaze) names need to be as honest as you. There is a beauty in crying .It is a quick and honest release of emotions while some people bottle it up not knowing a few drops can work like a miracle from time to time.

[Joker4ink]

...I cry still to the day knowing I failed at 1835 miles for a love that left me shortly after I got home.

We all fail sometimes...school, work, love, hiking and more; it's human. However, the trail is still there and hopefully your misfortune will propel you to completing it as you intended.

[BlackJack1]

I cried again. This time at Fontana Dam with a Rainbow coming off the lake into the Smokie's ! Even got it on video.

[JAK]

Crying just another good reason to try and stay hydrated.

[Prada]

Yes, cried on the trail last Saturday! I solo-sectioned Springer to Hog Pen Gap, 3/6 to 3/10, and cried like a baby when I got to my truck because I didn't want to go home. Work sucks. I'll be back to continue on though on the 24th!!!! (not like I'm counting the minutes or anything!!!!)

[JAK]

Crying in the Rain
written by Howard Greenfield (1936-1986).
Made famous by the Everly Brothers;

I’ll never let you see
The way my broken heart is hurting me.
I’ve got my pride,
And I know how to hide
All my sorrow and pain:
I’ll do my crying in the rain.

If I wait for cloudy skies,
You won’t know the rain from the tears in my eyes.
You’ll never know
That I still love you so.
Though the heartaches remain,
I’ll do my crying in the rain.

Raindrops falling from heaven
Could never wash away my misery,
But since we’re not together
I’ll look for stormy weather
To hide these tears I hope you’ll never see.

Someday when my crying’s done,
I’m gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun.
I may be a fool,
But till then, darling, you’ll
Never see me complain:
I’ll do my crying in the rain.

[flemdawg1]

Most of us are more Familiar w/ this one JAK.
"Crying In The Rain" By Whitesnake

A black cat moans
When he's burning with the fever
A stray dog howls
When he's lonely in the night
A woman goes crazy
With the though of retribution
But, a man starts weeping
When he's sick and tired of life

I keep on dreaming dreams of tomorrow
Feel I'm wasting my time
Lighting candles in the wind,
Always taking my chances
On the promise of the future
But, a heart full of sorrow
Paints a lonely tapestry

The sun is shining
But, it's raining in my heart

No one understands the heartache,
No one feels the pain,
'Cos no one ever sees the tears
When you're crying in the rain,
When you're crying in the rain,
Crying in the rain...

I can never deny
All the sweet things I have tasted
Tho' I've been mistreated
I keep coming back for more,
I know where I'm going
There's no hope of absolution
I can't seem to separate
The good times from the bad

The sun is shining
But, it's raining in my heart

[pdcolelli42]

The first time I ever saw a black bear... no not immediately, but I saw 13 in less than 2 days and I was all alone. Now I'm not saying I was scared of all of them but 1 in particular scared the **** out of me. I came into a moment where I was just like "I just want to keep hiking and I have to keep stopping and waiting for all these bears to leave!" So it was a combination of frustration and a little scaredness crying.

Anyway, I've since learned that black bears are kind of a joke and more like a deer than a death machine. Now I'm totally not scared of them.

[Capt Nat]

I cried yesterday when I weighed my pack. Seriously, I didn't used to cry but last Feb my father died. I since have become pretty good at it. I imagine that IF I climb Katahdin, I will probably cry. I hope so at least. I agree with the macho bunch though and think that crying on the trail should be kept to an absolute minimum. Crying makes you appear weak and may induce a bear attack.

[rainmaker]

Never did much crying but I sure did some powerful cussing, usually after slipping on a bog bridge.

[Jack Tarlin]

Last time I remember was 12 Sept. 2003, Gorham, NH. Someone had just told me that Johnny Cash died.

[BlackJack1]

Last time I remember was 12 Sept. 2003, Gorham, NH. Someone had just told me that Johnny Cash died.

I still cry over that.

[BlackJack1]

I fell off a cliff at the Nolichucky River. I now have 3 permanent scars. Didn't cry but I was scared. I thought I broke my leg.

[gizzy bear]

november rain by GNR makes me cry