[pct-l] Safety on the PCT

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

Great advice, Sweet Goat Mama.  I was in the habit of telling people who asked me if I was hiking alone, "for the moment; there is a group of northbound PCT hikers that are my friends who are also on the trail and we leapfrog each other."  This was a backhanded way of saying that someone could come along at any minute and I'm really not alone.  You could make up a ficticious group or person if you wanted, like, "my husband is behind of me and should catch up any minute."  There's no need to advertise or give the impression to anyone that you may be, indeed, profoundly alone.  

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Carolyn Eddy <ECPG at peoplepc.com>
>Sent: Aug 16, 2006 10:20 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Safety on the PCT
>
>Having spent a lot of time alone on trails, I can add: Learn to trust your 
>gut. If someone seems funny, don't require yourself to be polite, just leave 
>the vicinity. If you see groups who are obviously local, and look dependable 
>you might ask them about trail conditions such as safety.
>
>Also, be extremely vague as to your camping plans. Say something like "over 
>there", (while pointing off into the distance) or, "I haven't decided, I 
>might make another 5 miles today", leaving honest hikers to marvel at your 
>prowess but not giving any info  until you  are sure these are people you 
>want to spend your time with.
>
>And if you get a bad feeling, pack up quickly and head out. Develop a 
>hostile attitude. Practice this at home before you go.
>
>Another ploy is to pull out a cell phone and talk on it, even if it's dead, 
>it will make someone think twice about accosting you. Or if you really want 
>to freak them out, tell them you hear your mother calling. That's a real 
>conversation stopper.
>
>That said I've only had a very few negative interactions and they were all 
>in my duties as a wilderness ranger, a job where it's much more likely to 
>talk to people who have problems.
>
>Carolyn Eddy
>"Sweet Goat Mama"
>www.goattracksmagazine.com 
>
>
>
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