[pct-l] Safety on the trail

[Bob]

> Make sure it's [pepper spray] access-able and can be quickly  deployed

And be keenly aware of the wind direction.  You don't want the spray back in
your face.

Dr Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Scott Williams
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 2:21 PM
To: Emily Toby
Cc: PCT list
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Safety on the trail

As retired law enforcement, I can say that I never feel so safe as when I'm
deep in the woods.  Beware of parking lots and roads, and if you can hitch
into towns with someone, that is better than on your own, but in the woods
themselves, other than a rock falling on you, slipping on ice or tripping on
something, you are the safest you can  ever be in today's world.

During 30 years I saw many crimes at trailheads and urban parks, and
uncounted victims on city streets, but not one crime of magnitude on any of
our wilder trails, and in the East Bay, we have over a 100,000 acres of
Regional Parks alone without counting the State, and National lands.  The
vast majority of folks who will venture out beyond a trailhead are
wonderful, fellow hikers.  The closer you are to civilization, the more real
your cause for worry, but out in the wild, crimes are very rare.

For the reasons already listed, a gun would not be your best defense.
 Carry bear spray.  If it can incapacitate a charging grizzly, it sure as
hell will do a job on a would be bad guy.  Make sure it's access-able and
can be quickly  deployed.  We all carried them this past summer on the CDT
from the Winds north to Canada.  We strapped them right in their holders on
the front of our pack straps and in a pinch, could fire them without even
taking them out if the need arose.  It is not lethal, but sure would take
the starch out of any character who wanted to do you harm.

My experience is that anyone who wants to hike with others, and is a good
person, will find friends during the first several hundred miles or so.  I
met people on my first day out of Campo who I still cherish.  By the San
Jacintos, I'd met friends I ended up hiking thousands of miles with.  If
you don't want to be alone, you won't be.   And the altruism of fellow
hikers is incredible.  They will help you out, over and over.  Diane is
right, the experience of the PCT can restore a person's faith in humanity.
 Three people I hiked with described it that way as well.

Shroomer
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