[pct-l] FYI - Hiker Heaven closing

[Gail Van Velzer]

It's pretty sad that loose lips can cause this kind of damage.  Donna, if 
you are reading this, please know that you are loved by so many more and you 
have done so much for those on the trail.  For the rest of everyone, be 
careful of what you say and hurting others by your words.  "It's better to 
not say anything at all, than to say things that hurt others."  Donna is 
entitled to her opinion about KO and I have to agree with much that she 
says.  The bottleneck is at KO, not her house.  Although some people begin 
earlier, like we did on Jan. 1st, and come back to KO, they still all leave 
north from that point.  A few might jump ahead to where they left, but it's 
so few that it doesn't make much of an impact.  I liked what someone said in 
reference to going to KO the year before they start, that way they can make 
use of the info and vendors in a more realistic way.  Hopefully the current 
years hikers will already have chosen their gear and broken it in. 
Hopefully they will have realistic ideas of what the trail holds for them. 
Hopefully they will be prepared.  There are some problems with KO, but I'm 
sure they are doing the best they know how with a thousand people.  That's 
not easy.  For me, I might go just for information and the vendors in the 
future, but probably not go to camp with the crowd.  I live close enough 
that I can get on and off the trail anyplace between San Diego and Tehachapi 
easily.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <enyapjr at comcast.net>
To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2015 7:53 AM
Subject: [pct-l] FYI - Hiker Heaven closing


> Donna L-Rod Saufley's FB post:
>
> This is a sad day for Hiker Heaven. It has come to our attention from a 
> respected source that our existence as trail hosts
> is causing a bottleneck on the trail, and problems for hosts and towns 
> upstream of us. This is something that we take quite
> seriously, especially in light of the ever-growing popularity of the trail 
> and increasing numbers. We have always sought to be
> part of a solution, not cause anyone a problem of any kind. We tried as 
> much as possible through every means to not impact
> others, only asking the same in return, but alas. We regretfully announce 
> that Hiker Heaven is henceforth closed and will no
> longer host hikers (except for Trauma and Pepper who I already told okay). 
> A lot of people have gone to a lot of effort to make
> this place run (more on that later), and I really can't ask them to 
> continue if it contributes to issues on the trail. That would be
> against my principles, without which I am not who I am. I know that Jeff 
> and my family will find this decision to be a great relief,
> and I look forward to spending the time instead with my new grandson, 
> horses, and bikes. It's been a grand 18 years, and
> changed my life. I thank you all for the gift of your friendship, and 
> letting us be a part of your adventure. I will be taking our website
> down, and recommend hikers send their boxes to Acton Post Office, which is 
> where I will forward any boxes received. You can
> camp at the Acton KOA ($15 per night). Wishing you all the best.
>
>
> As to what happened, I'm not going there except only to say that I am 
> thoroughly disgusted with a certain trail queen...   :-/
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