[pct-l] hiker safety ((( DOGS)))

[Kent Spring]

There are many folks who find the inclusion of dogs into the hiking community/trail to be hostile.  I occasionally am one of those.  In addition, this year I saw several folks with dogs in So Cal.  It was VERY hard going on the dogs, and a few of the fools simply were pleased at how their dogs just kept on trudging across endless hot stones and sand, with little water, and even less shade. 

There are also some fairly long stretches of the PCT that you are not allowed to have a dog - wilderness areas and parks.

I am sure others will respond with vigor on why dogs just really help out the wilderness experience so much more.

Kent


> Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:45:33 -0800 (PST)
> 
> Wow --
> 
> I'm surprised and curiously relieved to see the long
> dialogue about hiker safety. I'm an SWF, thru-hiking for
> the first time, and honestly, this issue is precisely the
> reason i've put it off for so many years. After several
> trail partners bailed on me in respective years, I gave up
> and got a dog. (This is my year!!) But frankly, watching
> this dialogue unfold suddenly makes my irrational fear very
> reasonable indeed...
> 
> 
> I stay anonymous for this post, okay? -SWF (and her big
> scary 120-lb, barking, drooling, ferocious mutt, Fang)
>