[pct-l] The parental aspect of hiking

[Charlie & Nancy Zapp]

Well Sasha I am the father of three daughters. I would not have been  
receptive to the idea of any of them hiking, as teenagers, a long  
distance without adult supervision.  The adults would have to have  
been people we knew and trusted. My wife and I did not start long  
distance hiking until we were in our late 30's.  Since we have been  
doing long distance hiking we have learned about and experienced the  
trail community and the care and concern they have for each other.   
While these folks are not the middle of the road average types, I  
would trust our lives to them.  Today I would be willing to let  
(actually encourage) our daughters and grand-daughters do long  
distance hiking.  In fact while I would still have some concerns for  
their well being, I would feel that they were safer doing that then  
going into any large city where the supposed "normal" people are.   
Until someone experiences the trail and the trail community, I don't  
think they can understand any of this.  Hiking the Appalachian Trail  
we have seen individual women start out in Georgia heading north.   
They are not normally by themselves for long and will partner up with  
other women or guys that hike at about the same speed/daily distance  
as they are.  So there you go, I hope there is an answer in here  
somewhere for you.
Piece of Work & Tough Little Cookie

On Mar 11, 2009, at 11:49 PM, Sasha Leidman wrote:

Though this may be a bit of a tangent from normal conversation on this  
email
list, I was wondering what ages did you start going off and doing  
multiple
week hiking trips? Would you let your high school child go on one  
without
adult supervision? Has the social standards for hiking ages become more
liberal or conservative since the time you've started? I'm seventeen  
and I'm
hoping to section hike the pct sobo this summer. I've asked an number  
of my
friends from all across California if they'd like to join me. While  
they're
all avid hikers and are usually thrilled at the idea, I have not been  
able
to get parental consent from any of them. What are your opinions? Has  
this
impacted you in the past? Thanks.

-- 
Sasha Leidman
sleidman at gmail.com
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