[pct-l] Editing posts and newcomers are welcome!!!

[Jeffrey Olson]

Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com wrote:
> I really don't care if people ask the same questions over and over.  
> But please if you must respond, try to cut off the former replies to  
> which you are responding to just the relevant parts.
>
>   
I agree with Diane's major point.  Physical editing of posts is a gift 
to the rest of us! 


I also would like to say I like it when people ask the same questions 
every year, or every six months.  I like it when persons new to the list 
ask about cannisters (I hate them!), dogs on the trail, where to find 
information about towns, etc.  I even appreciate it when someone asks 
about a specific piece of gear.  I hope those folk get off-list 
responses.  I don't see many discussions of specific packs or sleeping 
bags very often.  I like Steel-Eye's always useful information in his 
posts. 


Newcomer questions are the lifeblood of the list.  For some reason this 
last couple months have had a relative dearth of silly "I've got a 
personality" emails and more newcomers asking questions.  This is a 
wonderful trend.  I hope it continues.


Mostly I so appreciate newcomers enthusiasm and wide-eyed wonder at 
contemplating a thru-hike or section hike.  I wish more of us longtimers 
would tell little stories with big lessons, or just little stories...   
I know you could refer me to Mags' journals, but I mean little pieces 
written for the listserv.  It is cold in South Dakota, and I wear a wool 
hat when at home.  If I sit too long at the keyboard my fingers get 
cold.  Warm them up!  Give us a story to carry us through the long, 
cold, dark and often bleak winter... 


My opinion of course... 


Jeffrey Olson
Martin, SD (waiting for the winter break in Santa Rosa and the daily 
hike in Annadel State Park...)