[pct-l] DC Area Hikers/Parental Concerns

[Paul Robison]

tried to post this but it didn't work... try two:

Ned got me thinking about this and i thought i'd amend what i said    before:

it's hard for me to quantify what 'city folk' do and don't know    about 
camping.  there is a definaely a need to learn basic bushcrafting;    fire 
skills  (not just setting one, maintaining one);  route    finding, etc.  These 
are things we take for granted in rural British    Columbia...someone from New 
York City might not understand why their fire    keeps going out,  and it could 
lead to a dangerous situation.  just    the same as my wife; when we went to 
Baltimore had no idea how to pay for her    stuff at the gas station; and tried 
to find her way into those little bullet    proof rooms that the cashier is in.  


if you did not grow up with    boyscouts, or a dad who liked camping, etc. etc.  
then your first few    trips will be quite miserable (mine were anyway,  slept 
in my bag with no    mat in a lean-to in constant rain)... no fun.  Having a 
mentor can mean a    lot.  And while fellow hikers are friendly and eager to 
share; it is    irresponsible to expect people on the trail to teach you how to 
be safe... you    need to show up prepared...  preparedness means sometimes 
carrying more    weight until you know what you can and can't get away with.  
that's why    normal folk like me carry a lot more weight than elites like    
Billygoat.

long story short,  you can learn a lot of skills in    your backyard...but you 
can't teach yourself how to self arrest by watching a    youtube video.  i do 
not know Ned,  but i understand he is    passionate about our cause and is eager 
to be that mentor that you might    actually really need.  he doesn't teach you 
skills because they're cool    to know,  he teaches you them because it might 
save your life.  


Chris, 
 a mountain safety course might be a very wise thing    to do if you've not done 
anything like it before... and imagine how seriously    your family will take 
you then;  when you've been professional trained    for all but the worst of 
situations.  as for the other stuff,  take    interest, do research, and be 
vocal to your family about what you've    learned...  make them aware of how 
much you've learned, and how prepared    you are.  this should do a lot to 
dispell their fears.
...    additionally, be real with them (and to yourself) about the dangers,     
explain to them that rattlesnake bites are extremely rare, but sprained ankles    
are not.  That bears are not mad killing machines etc.  things they    likely 
already know, but i don't know their background so i am unsure.     listen to 
their concerns and fears and address them directly.  are they    afraid you will 
fall to your death?  are they afraid you'll die of a    coral rattlesnake bite?  
whatever their major fear is; study it    specifically and come back to them 
with what you've learned.  listen to    their concerns and don't shrug them 
off... it'll build a stronger relationship    at the same time.

my humble opine,
~Paul