[pct-l] Disrespect of the PCT

[walt Durling]

Im not a thru hiker tho i am hiking significant portions this year.  Ive encountered lots of hikers already and can clearly discern a minority having the potential for immature and disrespectful behavior. To me it seems that such ill behavior is more likely when they travel in small groups, feeding off one another.  I neednt point out that one particular TA is well known for the drunken party atmosphere.  There are any number of online pct videos showing such revelry.  Im not passing judgment, only that in some places showing one's ass - literally, seems a part of the trail experience.  Whether some take that mentality with them down the trail I cannot say.

The TAs are as integral to the pct as any other part of it.  It is a fine and honored position and should be a positive experience for everyone.  The math dictates, however, that as the number of hikers increase, the likely proportion of those who abuse the hospitality increases right along.

I see nothing wrong with the TAs openly making it known that each hiker is expected to pay for services rendered, and posting the expected donation along with the rules of the home.   Also making it clear that they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who refuses to abide by the rules of the house might  be considered  Tom, for instance, at Kennedy  Meadows, got into trouble in the past with his neighbors and the county for helping out hikers.  He still provides wifi access in the  middle of nowhere.  Many hikers use it, but im certain that only a few offer him $.  Satellite wifi is very expensive.  Apparently a few individuals used his place when he wasnt there, and made a mess.  These type of people arent likely to improve as they hike north.

Perhaps the TAs might consider maintaining a communication link  with each other, letting each other know the identity of the bad actors if that could be ascertained. Refusing service down the trail to those who abused the privilege up the trail might dissuade others from acting out their base instincts.  In the end, its the TAs who must decide for themselves.  For the vast majority of hikers, hugs, money, and conveying personal thanks to each TA for the privilege of their hospitality cannot go amiss.

Sent from my iPad

> On May 22, 2014, at 21:35, Matt Signore <mpsignore at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Many of the hikers that attend the ADZPCTKO are anywhere from a hundred to
> 700 miles North on the PCT in low snow years.  They have already been to
> 3-4 angels homes already and acting however they act without the ADZPCTKO
> as the excuse.  So, I'm not sure that the ADZPCTKO is the cause of the
> entitlement.  Bad upbringing maybe, but at some point you have to stop
> blaming someone's parents.  Some people are just twits.  The entitled
> individuals showed up to the monument with the entitlement ingrained in
> them already.  For me it isn't worth getting all worked up trying to put
> the toothpaste back in the tube.
> 
> Personally I don't necessarily agree with water caches either.  However,
> that is how some people stay connected to the trail.  They like putting
> water out for hikers and reading the registers to see who came through
> These people want to help others.  Who am I to say they can't?  These
> angels do it out of enjoyment.  They are volunteering.  If their volunteer
> efforts become a burden it is up to them to stop the activities that cause
> the distress.  I am a skeptical person, and I don't believe everyone will
> do what is right.  The people that are takers and not givers are not my
> friends.  I won't hang out with them for guilt by association reasons.
> 
> Also, I have cached water for myself on other trails that are much drier  I
> mean 50+ mile carries between unreliable water sources.  The PCT doesn't
> NEED caches, but they exist.  So, it isn't a supported less pure hike
> scenario for me.  Just that I will be damned if I am going to have someone
> spend all Spring caching water for hikers just so I don't have to walk 10
> minutes off the PCT for a natural water source.
> 
> This is where you start to lose me
> 
> "The natural filters that weeded out the unfit and undeserving in the past are
> being eroded as time goes on"
> 
> What trait makes a person fit and deserving to walk across the country?
> Sounds kind of like "get off my lawn you pesky kid" mentality.  All the
> Triple Crown trails are getting more crowded.  Us "old timers" need to
> adapt.  Personally I find more remote trails far more pleasant than the
> more crowded trails.  If you are losing your love for the PCT it may be
> time to find other trails you enjoy as much.  Hopefully you find a happy
> place.  Because the PCT is not going to go back to the way it used to be.
> 
>> 
>> Matt Signore
> *http://www.yogisbooks.com/ <http://www.yogisbooks.com/>*
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