[pct-l] Troublemakers

[mgypsy97 at aol.com]

Maybe there is just too much coverage for these trails.  And the constant contact with the outside world gives the troublemakers gratification because their behavior is quickly known by hundreds of thousands of people.

I attempted an AT thru hike in 1997 and although there were a lot of hikers out there, I don't recall many (if any) hard core troublemakers.  The hiking community could take care of them quickly.  No one I knew carried a cell phone, GPS, or any smart devices.  I think there were a few weekend hikers, boy scout leaders, etc., who had cell phones; the trail grapevine kept us pretty well informed of what was happening, but it wasn't publicized off the trail so there wasn't the gratification and encouragement for the troublemakers.  And maybe those who would cause trouble just weren't drawn to the trail because there wasn't so much instant publicity for them.  There were the weekend locals who would bring their beer and whatever onto the trail near road crossings with parking areas, but they didn't go rampaging through towns, hostels, etc.

I don't see an end to the problems, nor much of a remedy.

Gypsy
 
 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim & Jane Moody <moodyjj at comcast.net>
To: Pct-L <Pct-L at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sun, Jan 10, 2016 5:29 am
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Troublemakers

From: "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.org> 
To: "Roger Carpenter" <pinecone at elkpass.com>, Pct-L at backcountry.net 
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2016 10:07:08 PM 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Troublemakers 

Just a quick question on this topic of "trail policing..." 

What does the AT do about it? 




As an organization, not much that I'm aware of. With many more hikers, the number of self-centered jerks is proportionally larger than on the PCT, and more concentrated (shorter trail, more trail towns to resupply). 

A recent issue of the AT magazine ("AT Journeys") highlighted the problems that hikers are creating in Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin particularly. Even a thru-runner, seeking to break the time record, blatantly violated several BSP rules for Katadhin. Apparently, it's gotten so bad that park officials are considering closing Katadhin as the northern terminus of the AT, which would be a real tragedy. 

The ATC is following many of the same strategies that the PCTA is (or maybe vice-versa) - trying to get people to spread out their start times, esp. at the southern end; increased education about LNT and town behavior, etc. 

One thing for sure - this is a problem in the greater society, not just the trails. Bad trail behavior is just reflecting what's happening in society. And I don't see it being eliminated any time soon. 

Mango 

----- Original Message -----



Ned Tibbits, Director 
Mountain Education, Inc. 
www.mountaineducation.org 
ned at mountaineducation.org 


Mission: 
"To minimize wilderness accidents, injury, and illness in order to maximize 
wilderness enjoyment, safety, and personal growth, all through experiential 
education and risk awareness training." 
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