[pct-l] Trail workers/thru-hikers

Tue Nov 2 14:13:42 CDT 2010

I want to give them a gift in ADDITION to my expressions of gratitude. I
always stop and talk to trail workers when I come across them. I don't
expect to be in such a hurry on the PCT that I will have to change that
behavior. If I can't stop to talk to those folks, then there's something
going wrong with my hike! LOL

I kinda like the friendship bracelet idea. They are lite. They are also
something they could keep as a reminder. On the other hand, I don't wear
things like that. I imagine someone like me might appreciate the gesture,
but then feel guilty if they didn't keep the item. I suppose it could be
hung on a pack or something if they don't want to wear it. How about
something like this?

http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=49

Now we're getting somewhere! Now it's something useful too! How many folks
are in a typical trail crew? 6, 12, 20? How many crews might I see along the
way? I just want an idea of how many to make. Maybe I'll bring extra cord
and make them along the way?

@ Jim and Mike,
I had the same thought. They have more supplies than I do, so that's why I
was worried that a piece of candy would not mean much to them since they
probably have more than I do. That's why I'm really liking this bracelet
idea. Cheap, easy, lightweight, and a useful item to have in the
backcountry.

What does everyone think? If you were a trail crew, would you appreciate
something like this?

On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 12:09 PM, Mike Cunningham <hikermiker at yahoo.com>wrote:

> While out working on a trail I have found that a sincere thank you from a
> hiker is enough to lift my spirits.
>
> I have also found that trail workers tend to be better supplied than hikers
> and are more apt to have goodies with them.
>
> on the other hand as a hiker I always make an effort to sincerely thank any
> trail workers for their efforts & let them know it is appreciated.
>
> hm
>
> --- On *Tue, 11/2/10, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com>
>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail workers/thru-hikers
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 1:47 PM
>
>
> 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<http://us.mc517.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=abiegen@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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-- 
~ Kevin
Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
"The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward Abbey