[pct-l] PEACE EVERYONE!

Sat Aug 23 12:50:07 CDT 2008

Last year as most of you know, I hiked the trail in just under 80 days. I came back this year because of a few reasons, and they were all personal. For one, I new I could do it quicker. For two I just love the trail in a whole. But, something else bothered me. I broke someone's record, who posted, and declared his attempt. What I did was not fair to him nor could I ask you (the public) to recognize it as a record. So for a year, I planned, worked and focused on this attempt. That is why we went public, and attention had nothing to do with it. I hope the next person is also man or women enough to do the same. Scott, I and the previous holders, deserve that much in respect, and I for one will be real sour if they do not. The record is low enough now, that it will take a plan and the person will be going for it from the gate. That is the first rule that I give, and if anyone WHO IS ATTEMPTING fails to do so, just do not ask to be recognized. 

A lot of you may not understand, but I am a sole provider of a family of four, so for me just getting to the trail is so hard. I have to have 3 months of bills, and a lot more for my hike. I am not sponsered, I am gifted a few items, that company's feel it is in their best interest to give. All the money it takes for me to be here, it is just a drop in the bucket. So do not get the wrong idea, please.

Some people have the wrong idea about how I got to this place in the hiking world. So here is the short version. I started hiking the sierra's with my father in the late 60's at 3 years old. It was our weekend outings and our week long camps/fishing that began to grow on me, like it has done to so many of you. I can remember many "heavy loads" and 7 mile days. I did not appear here over night, throw on a ulpack and go break a record. It took years of, trying new things, that sometimes worked, and sometimes did not. I learned a lot from Ray Jardine's book, Beyond Backpacking, but more than that, I just looked for a better way. In 2005 I thru-hiked the trail, every step and completed a life long dream. All the sections hikes, and weekends, payed off, for I had a goal, was fully prepaired, and pushed through a heavy sierra snow pack year. My point is, I know exactly what it is like to go out overly prepaired, and struggle needlessly up a mountain pass. I will not insult anyone for this, and I am sorry for sounding that way, but there is another point.

While doing all three of my thru-hikes, I have started behind a lot of people. I have seen just about all you can imagine. And what I have been noticing is a huge impact the hikers are having on the trail. I have seen so many new camps, fire rings, unneeded fires, trash, empty caches, polluted springs, ect... What I would like you to know is, the way Scott and I are, we have so little impact. We sometimes walk so late we just sleep on the tread, we do not clean up or use soaps in the springs, we never once had a fire, we never put caches out, to leave the empty containers to be picked up by others. We never cleared out room for another camp, or for that matter, we feel no need to create another trace of man. We also preach these beliefs to others. We also never cook. This year, there were two fires started by thru-hikers and there carelessness. The Apache fire, and Dario the ranger at Ray Lakes, told us of another he walked up on just in time at Woods Creek. This is a topic worth debating. I just feel that those who focus on camping, and not hiking seem to leave a much larger trace. I have done it myself and can look back at lots of faults, and I guess pointing this out can be very touchy, but it is what I see. 

As far as fire closures go, we were not the first or last. Yet we were singled out cause of popularity, and people who just do not agree with our methods of hiking. We chose the safer route, for the highway is far more dangerous. We had extra maps, and we knew where the fires were to relationship of the trail, thanks to calfire.com. We went in knowing we might get to a point where we might have to turn around. We never put our lives at risk. There turned out to be no fire anywhere near the trail. What we did encounter was only backburning, where we met over 200 firefighters who now are aware of the PCT, as well as interested. We met up with crew leaders and forest service officers, who just admired us, and were completely unaware of the PCT. All encounters were left in a possitive matter. They gave us permission to continue, so really people, could it have been that bad. We had Michelle post for the safety of others, who are not familiar with the area, like us, for the trail was bulldozed. I feel the people who recommended hiking the highway are the ones who should be ridiculed. I think it was the year 2000, correct me if I am wrong, but two thru-hikers, Jane and Flicka were killed by a careless driver, on a highway. That is what I was thinking while making MY decision to continue. You may look to the back of a data book and get that info. If I had one I would give more information. As far as being a role model, well I never once thought of that. For me, I never been one, so this is a first. In fact I have always been a rebel, a person who contest authority, who breaks laws and rules that are not fair or right. I will be the first to stand and fight for what is right, so maybe I am not your best role model,  who ever signed me up for that, sorry I let you down. But I am the one who stands up when something is wrong. This year I saw a lot going on out there, and as soon as we can put things to rest, I will begin showing you all proof of what is happening on your trail.

As far as not recognizing our endeavor, that is perfectly fine with me. I did not do this for you or anyone else. I did it for me! As far as bragging rights go, Maybe when I am too old to walk, and need something to keep my blood warm. But for now, I need to save for next spring, put a slideshow together, and make peace with the community. I really do understand and honor everyone's opinion, just understand me, I am not like you. I am sure if we met on the trail we would sit a while and talk PCT, and leave each other in a kind way. Why is the internet so differ? I hope this really puts things to rest, and we can get on to the real challenge, protecting this trail and its wilderness.   peace- Joe   
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