[pct-l] Ray Memorial and bridges or other ideas

[Deems]

"Lake Morena has recently put in a new PCT trail head, info center  and 
picnic
area that might just be the perfect spot to put a permanent, "nearly  on the
trail but not offending wilderness values", memorial for Ray AND  others who
have perished while pursuing their dreams along the trail.  The  ADZ and
ALDHA-West are pursuing this idea in conjunction with Meadow Ed. 
Additional names
could then be added in future years without duplicating  numerous "memorial"
sites along the trail and ruining the wilderness  experience.  Stay tuned.
Aspiring hikers could then get a good dose  of reality early in their hikes 
to
keep them grounded and  careful."

Greg

A bridge dedicated to Ray, or a tasteful plaque in a splendid remote setting 
that wouldn't ever be stolen, would be nice; if it suits Ray's and Alice's 
desires. The memories of so many hikers he touched is a worthy monument 
within itself. This picture is of a plaque I saw on Forester Pass dedicated 
to a trail builder that lost his life at the age of 19. Donald Downs died 
while building one of the most spectacular sections along the PCT. It is not 
easy to find, nor easy to forget when you see it; and through this plaque, 
his spirit still lives on with the PCT hikers in the Sierra. I read it 
within days of his 75th year of passing on. Ray's spirit is still hiking the 
PCT; and a trail plaque would carry his name into the future for generations 
of hikers to come. I bow to his family's desire.
http://www.pbase.com/losthiker/image/55557118/large