[pct-l] Trail workers/thru-hikers

[Kevin Cook]

In response to this thread, I have a question for those who do trail
maintenance, on the PCT, or elsewhere.

If I wanted to bring some token to show my appreciation, when I come across
a trail worker, what would you recommend? I was thinking a candy bar or
something. I usually carry some mini candy bars when I hike, so I was
thinking I would just try to make sure I always have a few extras with me to
hand out. Do you think that would be appreciated by a trail worker, or could
it be taken as trivializing their efforts. I want to tell them thank you in
some way that would be meaningful. The thought of handing them money seems
tacky to me. I don't want to carry something real heavy obviously, so any
other ideas?

I'd also like to take this opportunity to express my deep thanks to everyone
who has helped build the PCT. Thank you!

-- 
~ Kevin
Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
"The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward Abbey

On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 10:29 AM, <abiegen at cox.net> wrote:

> I was surprised to see the comments about the conflict between hikers and
> trail workers. This year while hiking with Wimbledon and Carrol we came
> across a group of trail workers. We made sure to stop and let them know that
> we appreciated the work that they were doing. Chatted with them for several
> minutes.   I do a lot of trail work where I live - or at least used to do a
> lot before arthritis in my shoulder slowed me down - so I appreciate the
> work and know how important it is to let the workers know that their work is
> appreciated.
>
> TRASH!=JERK
>
> There are a few possibilities that I can picture:
>
> 1. If the thru-hikers were tired and the work was being done on a long
> uphill, they may have worn down and not been in best spirits and best
> behavior. Also some thru-hikers are racing against the clock. If the work is
> being done in a way that holds the hiker up and they are trying to get to
> the PO before it closes, they may not be in the best mood. Like in Real
> Estate - it could be about location, location, location.
>
> 2. I know that the FS standard for steps is the perfect height for stock -
> I call them horse steps. As a hiker, I feel that they are a little too high
> for hiking. I'm not that crazy about them but I wouldn't complain to a trail
> worker about them and in many cases they are better than no steps. Perhaps
> someone was not overjoyed to see more added.
>
> 3. There is the possibility that there are a few jerks out there. I didn't
> meet any but that doesn't mean that they don't exist.
>
> 4. Since the complaint came from only one person maybe it was an outlier
> where that one person had their own issues that were being projected on the
> thru-hikers.
>
> I would be interested in hearing from other trail workers. One point of
> data is not enough to really understand if there is a real issue or not. I
> am suspicious that this person put off all hiking on the PCT because of this
> - there must me more to it than we are hearing. You don't hear of someone
> giving up driving because there are jerks out there. Why would you give up
> something that you say you love because of a few bad apples? Very strange.
>
> TrailHacker
>
> "When my feet hurt, I can't think straight"
> Abraham Lincoln
>
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