[pct-l] maps/thru-wallets

[kcristler]

twolegs, scott doesn't need to attend adz. you have and you justified his 
views wonderfully.
                    kmc
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <twolegs at roadrunner.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>; <public at postholer.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 8:22 PM
Subject: [pct-l] maps/thru-wallets


> Scott "Postholer" wrote:
> <...and I'll rant some more. The Kick-off folks are selective about who 
> sells
> <warez and I'll bet it's a tight circle. My *fellow* low-life carpet 
> baggers
> <target their customers when they are at their most enthusiastic. Really,
> <what better moment to get your product under a hikers nose than on the
> <*first day* of a 2,650 mile hike. Serendipitous? Of course not, strategic
> <product placement. But of course, such a concept has never been uttered 
> by
> <those that ply their warez at the KO.
>
> Okay Scott!
>
> Whew, at first I thought I was merely getting into a peeing match with a 
> skunk, but actually this is turning into a valuable ... teachable moment! 
> You, dear fellow, are about to learn something!  I have been to five of 
> the last seven Kickoffs, and that is five more than you ever have.  So I 
> actually know something, unlike ... ahem ... you.
>
> It is an extremely rare hiker who shows up at the trailhead, let along the 
> Kickoff, on the FIRST day of a 2,650 mile hike with no equipment.  Maybe 
> it's happened but ... if it did, then thank heaven the KO vendors are 
> there, right?  Not all hikers arrive on their *first day*, either ... many 
> have started early and gotten rides back to the KO after being on the 
> trail for one or more weeks.  So none of them have "warez" (try 
> spellchecker, honey) gotten under their noses on their *first* day. 
> However ... any thruhiker who has already purchased gear from one of those 
> extraordinary vendors who is having any difficulty with it can get it 
> fixed, exchanged, or whatever it takes to set it right.  This is a great 
> service to thruhikers. Yes indeed, I imagine the KO folks are selective 
> about their vendors.  There aren't very many there and the ones that are 
> are very special people (the KO isn't a #$&^@* swap meet for heavens sake, 
> it's an educational program and the vendors, while impor
> tant, are just a small part of what goes on).
>
> You might be surprised to know that thruhikers are outnumbered at the KO 
> by organizers, volunteers, vendors, Forest Service and National Park 
> folks, PCTA folks, section hikers, past year hikers, future year hikers, 
> family, friends and assorted well-wishers ... all focused on helping the 
> current thruhikers get off to a good start.  The vendors actually spend a 
> great deal of their energy getting their "warez" under the noses of next 
> year's hikers and any year's section hikers who are not on the first day 
> of their hike ... and it is a genuine service to all of these people to 
> actually see the specialized lightweight equipment made by the good folks 
> at Gossamer Gear, Six Moon Designs, ULA, Henry Shires and others ... 
> learning about it, trying it on, comparing, etc., and also meeting hikers 
> there who are using, or have in the past used, various of these shelters 
> and backpacks, etc.  Hikers get lots of information, advice, and face time 
> with the designers, whether they buy or not.
>  It's a genuinely valuable learning experience that works both ways.  The 
> vendors get good feedback from their products' users that helps them 
> refine their designs.
>
> I am a section hiker ... over the past seven years I've completed 1300 
> miles. It's been extremely helpful to be able to see the equipment that 
> I've been reading about online, to help me choose what will work for me. 
> I've used a Shires TarpTent (when hiking with my husband), and also a 
> Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter for solo backpacking, and it's so much better 
> to see it and touch it and try it and talk with the makers, than to just 
> blindly pluck it off the internet.  I'm proud to have supported these guys 
> by making my purchases, because they have totally supported me with 
> excellent products and service.  I am just in awe of them and their 
> accomplishments.
>
> I have to admit it majorly gripes me to hear you sneer at these guys the 
> way you do in your cheesy "Thru-Wallet" story.  You contribute what you 
> do, and they contribute what they do.  Why do you have to make such a 
> nasty stink?  ARE YOU JEALOUS OF THE ATTENTION THEY GET????   You too 
> provide valuable services to hikers ... no one disputes that ... but then 
> you tarnish everything you do with this danged attitude of yours, 
> especially about something you know nothing about.  What in the world 
> would really make you happy?  For all the trail angels, water cachers, 
> equipment makers, guidebook writers, KO organizers, and various assorted 
> hikers' wellwishers, to just vaporize so only YOU are left to be the Grand 
> Pooh Bah of the PCT?  Get ... a ... danged ... life ... willya?
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Two Legs
>
>
>
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