[pct-l] Paying for SAR

[Rob Flynn]

To clarify on the AT: the trail itself remains open, while Baxter State Park
closes down its services on October 15.  Camping in the park is not
permitted after Oct 15, so it becomes a 15 mile, one way trip to the top of
Katahdin, then another 15 miles back to the park entrance at Abol Bridge.
Of course, plenty of hikers stealth camp, or do the 30 miles in one day, to
still get to the terminus and finish their hike.

I don't think the National Scenic Trails should ever be closed, except for
fire, natural disaster, etc.  There should be a strong discouragement,
however, to the unprepared before heading out into nasty winter conditions,
including strongly worded signage, info from locals like the Dinsmores, and
perhaps patrolling rangers or law enforcement at the trail heads.  Perhaps
require (or strongly encourage) hikers to sign at a register before entering
a section, and tell them to keep others informed of their progress however
they can.  Encourage them to use PLBs when conditions are nasty.  Education,
and getting through thick skulls, is the key.

There was a pretty large group of hikers who finished up in late October
last year, with snow shoes and other appropriate gear.  So obviously, it can
be done in winter conditions, it just requires the proper preparation.

Inspector Gadget


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Terry
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 3:31 PM
To: Brick Robbins
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Paying for SAR

Some day, we may not have a choice but to close the "gate" just as they do
in Maine on the Appalachian trail every year to late, and/or uninformed,
under equipped and under trained hikers in the late season Northern Cascades
to save them from themselves.

Terry