[pct-l] Rocks in Your Pack and Kickoff Prizes

[hiker97 at aol.com]

Peppermint Patty wrote: ........ I will put rocks in my pack ........
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Switchback the Trail Pirate replies: No you cannot do that. Only the Lake Morena Kickoff's Wagon Master (Strider) can do that. He is a geologist and only he can carry rocks in his pack. I noticed after 1977 when I hiked PCT there were a lot less rocks along the trail. This was a result of his thru-hike. He grabbed all the cool rocks to decorate his house. He even built his fireplace out of them. A PCT fireplace. How cool is that.

By the way, the first time I hiked on the PCT was 1970. This was back before the newcomers, like Strider, even knew there was a PCT. We early pioneers broke the way for all who followed. By the time the Class of 1977 got there, all the Indians and bandits had been pacified and the trail was safe for them to play around on and recreate. The grizzlies were even gone. 

How could we have made it nicer for them to take a nice walk in the woods and have a goof off summer? Talk about a Spring Break set up for them.

But am I honored at the Kickoff? Am I showered with accolades? Have they coordinated with the park authorities to name a tree after me? Have the vendors named some cool gear after me? Do hikers seek out my autograph? Do people want to have their picture taken with me? Do people point to me and say, "There is Switchback, a real PCT pioneer and not some Johnnie-come-lately phony."? Has the PCTA name a section the trail for me? Do the hiker ladies want to hang with me?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!