[pct-l] Trail town woes / business closures.

[Jason Waicunas]

Fellow PCT'ers,

(A post surfaced today on the 2005 PCT Yahoo Group site that really P'd me 
off.  The reply below is a copy of what I posted on that site.)  We (the 
hikers that give a damn) are the only people that can change what is 
happening.

I usually stay out of these types of discussions, but after hearing about it 
on this forum and on the PCT-L, I wanted to say a few things.  First of all, 
the hiker, whether it be a thru-hiker, section hiker, or day hiker, is all 
the same person on the PCT.  We all breathe the same air, enjoy the same 
vistas, and  share the common passion for hiking.  Although thru-hikers are 
trying to accomplish a greater feat in attempting to complete the trail in 
one push, it makes them no better than anyone else.  Therefore, they should 
not expect to be treated any differently.  When a hiker is offered a free 
place to stay, such as at the Saufley's, Anderson's, or Dinsmore's, they 
should not EXPECT that that level of treatment will exist at each town or 
lodging facility at which they stop.  We are VERY LUCKY to be accepted at 
all.  We come in to these places dirty and stinking like hell and many of 
the hotel rooms are left looking like a frat party occurred, which to me is 
completely unacceptable.  Granted, I have had my share of "parties" at 
hotels and such, but I made damn sure that when we left, the empty bottles 
were either in a trash can or even removed from the room altogether.  All 
that we (hikers) have to do is carry our trash out of these facilities, be 
kind and thankful to those that provide us a place to stay (discount or no 
discount), and I'm sure that most of these places will continue to welcome 
us to their businesses and homes.  I'm not sure what's going on out on the 
PCT this year, but I remember that at almost every town stop / home that I 
visited in 2005, the owner(s) was thrilled to see the hikers each year.  If 
certain members of the class of 2006 are starting a trend that is causing 
problems / jeopardizing the policies of our "trail network", then way to 
go.....you really screwed it up for us all.  BUT - Maybe whoever it is that 
is causing problems can become a better person by learning from making a 
mistake.  If so, in the words of my hiking partner Chowder, "Man up and 
admit your mistakes", maybe even send an apology to the faciltiy owners whom 
you offended.  If not, then the next time you think about coming to town, 
stay on the trail!   We (the entire hiking community) do not want you to 
screw up a thing that a lot of people have worked very hard to provide for 
us.  Think about it, if there were NO hotels and NO trail angels that opened 
their doors to us.....how would your hike be then?  I bet that more than 
half of the people out there would not even be out there hiking if that was 
the case.  I'm done for now.....I think you (we) get the point.

PS:  I anyone knows of any hikers affilitated with any cases of being rude 
to owners or any of those who trashed their property....kindly ask them 
"why."  Maybe it will make them THINK for for a change.

***Besides, do we really expect Yogi to have to re-write he PCT Handbook 
every year?!?

To all of you (us), do your part in keeping these facilities a part of our 
journey......it's not that difficult.

Take it easy,
Nabor J



>From: "Shane" <darkbodhi at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: 2005PCT at yahoogroups.com
>To: 2005PCT at yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [2005PCT] What's happening on the trail this year!?
>Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 03:22:43 -0000
>
>Don't know if anyone has been following the poop over on the PCT-L, but it 
>appears that due
>to some questionable shenanigans by '06ers, Drakesbad banned PCTers for 
>while (it appears
>that that has since been smoothed over) and the Tahquitz Inn is no longer 
>going to offer
>discounts or extend special consideration to PCTers (you can check out 
>their message here:
>http://www.idyllwildpct.com/).  Is this an anomaly?  Is there a different 
>breed hiking the trail
>this year?  Are there just more people hiking, and this is inevitable?  Or 
>has thru-hiking just
>become the new "cool" thing to do for all those bored kids out there?  I 
>certainly hope this is
>NOT a new trend in trail behavior!  It's a shame to have done the trail 
>only a year ago, and
>already be saying, "I remember the good old days. . ."
>
>
>The Gimp
>
>
>
>

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