[pct-l] safety on the pct

[pct-l at mattmaxon.com]

"i am a college freshman and my friend (who is also college age) and I
want to hike a section of the PCT this summer for about 2 or 3 weeks.
We are having trouble convincing our mom's that 2 girls will be safe
alone out on the trail.....what should we tell them?"

I mirror what others have said but, add some experience that maybe of use.

It is my experience that we let our guards down when in these trail  
towns, and other rural areas.

I don't know how to describe it other than to call it a "Sixth Sense"  
but if something or someone doesn't feel right, leave, take action.

I have disregarded these feelings to my detriment, and won't do it  
again. I've not been physically  harmed but things where stolen.

Just apply what you already do everyday at school, home, work, and  
play. The chances of anything happening are very slim indeed.

We only hear about the bad things and never hear about the thousands  
of hikers who have no trouble. The city has no lock on creeps, though  
just keep that in mind.

This is really just a general life lesson you should take with you  
every where you go.

Trail90