S2E7: What is the Wonderland Trail?
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What is the Wonderland Trail?
Today we sit down and chat with Constantine and Magpie about all the wonders of the Wonderland Trail. No irony is needed nor sarcasm sassed when we indeed say it is wonderful.
We begin the show by instantly diving into a tangent, but then of course we use the upmost elegance and smooth tones to begin the multi-minute transition away from pure power into permits. We discuss all things Wonderland Permits. The use of Recreation.Gov to book ahead of time, the chance of walk up permits, luck of the draw with certain campsites, a "secret" way to hike without permits (NOTE: it is NOT saying don't use a permit, instead it mentions how to create an intense itinerary to avoid the permitted campsites).
We discuss circles and how just because it is a circle does not mean it is easy. As the saying goes, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice... well you aren't going to fool me again!" We shall not be fooled again, third time is the charm. Circles do not equate to easy.
We discuss how to define beauty when literally 80% of the entire hike is gorgeous. We discuss the obstacles of the Wonderland Trail, including the Mowich River, the steep elevation gain and descent daily, snow travel, river crossings, suspension bridges, and most importantly injury prevention. We dive deep into this thought line as Magpie called the hike Day 3, no longer being able to safely continue forward without causing serious injury.
When hiking with a romantic partner, friend, hiking buddy, comrade, trail family, whoever you may be hiking with, it is important to have these types of conversation beforehand. The conversations of "What If?"
Nothing is more important than the safety of those around you while hiking. It is an immense privilege to be able to share in the happiness, love and togetherness of a trail, and also a responsibility. When hiking with others make a plan, read the situation, and act accordingly.
We chat rookie mistakes, disappearing socks, thermal persuasion, finger-hills not being hills, and the constant curse of having piping plover legs. We chat hamburger feet, bridges that are not bridges, marmot smooching, pika picking, and beaver cuddling. We discuss the difference of being in thru-hiking shape and just "regular shape." We chat all things HYOH (do not even like writing out the term much less saying it... but we find ourselves in this tangent and have to unpack our feelings and then quickly tangent away before our emotions overheat).
On our ramen rating review scale this hike gets a 4.5 out of 5 ramens. A mix between Roast Chicken and Creamy Chicken.
Most importantly we: "Study Xyscience while being Rowdy and talking to Yerbae."
Truly a wonderful trail, highly recommend the Wonderland Trail.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"It is a privilege and responsibility when sharing the trail with others."
"French kiss a marmot." (DISCLAIMER: DO NOT!)
"The more we hike the less we know what we are doing."
"I looked at my wrist for the time again... still don't have a watch."
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