I just saw this website called Hiking 26, and I had to blog about it. I have not done much research on this hiker named Ron Ulrich, but what I know is this: he will hike the Pacific Crest Trail (2600-miles) in 26 weeks, and will wear 26 wedding dresses for the duration of his hike. Yep, that's about one wedding dress per week.
I love this project! Here's why: his endeavor takes all the pretension out the current über hiker-than-thou thing going on in the long distance hiking community. We have so many people attempting speed records every year, using the trail as a platform to raise money for a cause, or showing off the latest ultralight contraptions or techniques. Ron Ulrich's Hiking 26 project is a fresh take on hiking the trail. It is a bit art, a bit challenge, and a slap in the face to everyone that takes their long distance adventure way too seriously. Is this project shameless self promotion? Yes it is. So what? So are all the other hikes that are documented on Trail Journals or Postholer. And people announcing their speed record attempts? It's huge self promotion.
I say, "Go Ron! Go! Have a great hike, and may all your wedding dresses whisk you gently to Canada!
