[pct-l] running on the PCT

[Drew Smith]

I think this is the right approach - managing the problem rather than
trying to solve it.  People who try to solve problems invariably create new
ones.

There is no way to ban trail runners, even if it were desirable, so the
question here is what to do about organized trail running events.  A
reasonable approach would be for the PCTA to reach out to the organizers
with our concerns and propose some mitigations that would give everyone
what they need (not necessarily all they want).  For example, we could
propose to limit the size and number of events; schedule around peak PCT
herd times; and most importantly, educate runners on trail courtesy and
best practices, as well as stewardship and volunteering opportunities.
I'll bet that most of the runners who have behaved rudely simply were off
in their own little world (just like hikers) and didn't realize the impact
of their behavior.

This approach would create allies rather than adversaries, which is always
a lot more effective in the long run.

Happy Hour

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 9:44 AM, Tom Grundy <caver456 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Just had a thought as to a potential way to address the conflict.  But,
> it's probably already been done, so let me know if it's stale bread?  The
> nice thing is any of us could do it without any need for organization or
> overhead:
>
> invite a thought leader or decision maker from the faster / competetive /
> timed user group to accompany you on a hike (a member of the slower /
> non-competetive / non-timed user group) during a competetive event or
> anywhere that there's been a high density of conflict.  I.e. invite the
> Timberline Marathon organizer to go on a day hike with you on the day of
> the marathon.  Let him/her bring buddies so they don't feel too awkward or
> whatever is needed.  Just go out there with the purpose of enjoying the
> trail and doing an experiment - not with the purpose of lecturing them.
>
> Has anyone tried that?  If so, how did it go?
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 7:16 AM, James Vesely <
> JVesely at sstinternational.com>
> wrote:
>
> > When I come upon someone who is walking a lot slower than me I have never
> > ask for them to move out of my way rather I wait till they sense that I
> am
> > there and then I have the patience to wait for them to move over or I
> wait
> > till I come upon a section of trail that allows me to pass them.
> >
> > Expecting and or demanding for someone to jump out of your way, is in my
> > book always rude and uncourteous.
> >
> > It is not about who is hoarding the trail 365 days a year it's about
> being
> > courteous to other people using it and having the patience to accept
> that.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > I love running on the PCT. I did so with my pack on multiple times during
> > 2013 as I was simply so exhilarated by the surroundings and my level of
> > fitness, that I just couldn't help but break into a run.
> >
> > I think it's a bit of a hoarding or selfish attitude for someone to say
> > that others shouldn't use 2,670 miles of a public resource for all 365
> days
> > of the year because of the few days when that person wants to use it,
> they
> > want everything to be their way. If we find a way to all share the
> resource
> > safely, there will be more of us donating time and labor to maintaining
> > that shared resource and the resource will be healthier for that shared
> > love.
> >
> > Whether it's me and a bunch of friends having a friendly competition to
> > see who can get to town first or whether it's a bunch of strangers
> showing
> > up to tow the line, I see this as a healthy activity that would benefit
> the
> > trail and I would support continued competitive events along the trail.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > 1Pint
> > _______________________________________________
> > _______________________________________________
> > Pct-L mailing list
> > Pct-L at backcountry.net
> > To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> > List Archives:
> > http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> > All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> > Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>