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I believe it's human nature to have genuine concern for our fellow
humans. A desire to extend a helping hand is part of human nature,
part of who we all are. Compassion is part of our nature. These
qualities are part of who we are, and they're felt and expressed even
more strongly towards people we know, people we feel close to. It's
just basic human nature to want to help one another, especially if we
have reason to believe a person is in physical danger or in need of
help in some other way.<br>
<br>
This year the hiking season ended abruptly, and several weeks earlier
than is usual. Conditions went from summer to winter in the high
country almost overnight. Hikers who are out with their summer gear
but get caught in winter conditions usually have a rough time of it. I
believe hikers die nearly every year in the High Sierra when they get
caught in an usually strong early season storm.<br>
<br>
Because of the unusual conditions we had this year here in WA, it's
natural and normal that all of us who have been watching the progress
of the thru-hiking community--and cheering them on from the
sidelines--would be concerned. That concern comes out of a genuine
caring for these individuals, genuinely wanting the best for them. <br>
<br>
Because of the free flow of communication these days with the internet,
we can all enjoy hearing about where the thru-hikers are and how they
are doing. It brings a lot of joy to all of us to hear about them and
the kind of progress they're making towards their goal.<br>
<br>
My feeling is that if there is someone out there on the trail who wants
to be very private about their hike, it's THEIR responsibility to make
that known to the other hikers on the trail, not the other way around.
The norm these days, because of the thru-hiking community and the
internet, is that information is going to be passed on. So if you're a
thru-hiker and you do NOT want information about your whereabouts known
to anyone, then you need to tell the other hikers you meet that you're
doing a private hike and it's not for publication. Otherwise, be
prepared for people for trail angels to extend a helping hand, be
prepared for people to feel some concern if you're overdue, and even to
call out SAR if you're seriously overdue. <br>
<br>
Greg<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Brick Robbins wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:ca2c2380710121257y1dcf88a6o88d1bc99a4401955@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">No problem Scott. We won't worry about any of the hikers anymore. They
choose to go out in hazardous conditions........why should we give a rip
about their safety.
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap=""><!---->
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">This 'caring, helpful' trail supporter mentality can actually have the
opposite effect, such as, calling search & rescue because YOU'RE
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap="">concerned.
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Not because THE HIKERS require it.
</pre>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap=""><!---->
First off, as list administrator, I'd like this discussion to remain
civil, so please be friendly
Mainly, this brings up a interesting point to consider. When John
Donovan went missing in San Jacinto, when would have been a good time
to call SAR? If 'caring, helpful' trail supporters had called SAR
earlier, could he have lived? He certainly was unable to communicate
his need from where he was stuck.
>From the notes he left behind he was alive for quite a long time after
he went missing.
Or does his "right to privacy" include a right to die privately while
lost in the mountains in a storm?
I'd be interested in hearing YOUR opinion on this.
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</pre>
</blockquote>
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