[pct-l] The Economy and Hiking

[Bill]

My suspicion is that the economy will affect the hiking in the following
ways.

1.  Many people do not take extended hikes because it disrupts their
employment.  So far, 8.1% more people may be hiking at least a section.

2.  The kick-off may have fewer people that travel to the event just for the
event.  Those that incur significant expense to get there, but do not plan
to hike, may opt not to pay the travel expenses this year.

3.  We may see more hikers in town stealth camping, sharing rooms, or other
methods of cutting those expenses.  This is generally due to "feeling" like
you ought not spend the money.  Generally speaking, the hikers will not
actually have less money, but not knowing if they will have a job to return
to and a general "buckling up" will cause less to be spent.

4.  I suspect we will see less REI type spending from thru hikers.   For the
same reasons as stated in #3, people are going to be more likely to work
with their existing equipment rather than getting that super cool new
version.   Of course, most REI and the like shopping has nothing to do with
true hikers and their reduced numbers will be more based on general
shopping.  (e.g. I have seen far more North Face jackets at the local high
school football game than I have on the trail).

Just my thoughts.  I reserve the right to be wrong and I exercise that right
regularly.

Pink Gumby 

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of hiker97 at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 5:39 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] The Economy and Hiking

I wonder how the Recession/Depression will affect backpacking this year??
Will there still be the same participation at the Lake Morena April
Kickoff?? How are hiking sales going at REI, etc.?

Of course, it is a little early in the season, but there should be some
indicators by now.? I just thought this was an interesting.? I guess you
could say things will pick up in the hiking world and more people will hit
the trail to get away from it all.? I just do not know about all this.? I
would be surprised if participation was the same as in past years one way or
the other.

Switchback the Trail Pirate
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