[pct-l] Bad behavior and trail angels

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

I can only speak for Hiker Heaven, but if you're going to open up your home to complete strangers, you have to expect that sooner or later there's going to be those that will (a) take it for granted, (b) misbehave, or (c) need to be booted out.  We've had both (a) & (b), but not (c) yet, though we won't hesitate if or when the situation presents itself.  We put it into the context of the big picture -- the obnoxious are a miniscule percentage of the thru-hiker popultion, and you can tolerate for a short time that which you could not tolerate for an extended time.  

Hosting is kind of like hiking in this way:  if you're not willing to know, understand, and take the risks of the things that could go wrong, don't do it.  If you expect all people to be perfect all the time, you're guaranteed disappointment.

L-Rod



-----Original Message-----
>From: Shutterbug steiner <shutterbugg313 at yahoo.com>
>Sent: Aug 14, 2006 8:07 PM
>To: pct <pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>
>Subject: [pct-l] Bad behavior and trail angels
>
>I just completed the 800 miles between Kennedy Meadows and Dunsmuir and experienced most of the hospitality and community experience of a Thru hiker.  
>   
>  I was very disturbed and could feel the tension at Pooh's corner this year.  After talking to someone who had seen the "BAD BEHAVIOR" the tension was understood.  Apparently the day before we arrived two hikers got VERY drunk 
>and were probably under the influence of drugs.  In their intoxication,  they, according to this other hiker were  complete "AHoles".  According to the other hiker they spoke very derogatorily about the host's religion and were simply obnoxious - like drunk people are.  Pooh did not kick these guys out but did inform them that they "Were to get back on the trail the next.day."  This disheartens me that someone so kind and generous would have to resort to "almost kicking" PCTers out of his house.
>   
>  When I got to the Trail angels in Burney it sounded like similar behavior had occurred with people passing out in the driveways and such.  The host's daughter had to devise a way to get rid of  the crowd and resorted to passing out lists of chores for the guests to do.  This apparently worked and the crowd subsided.
>   
>  When I got to Old Station, I was discussing, very vaguely, these incidents and my concern about how this might affect how WE are being welcome in trail towns and trail angels homes.  She too was concerned and looked worried that perhaps there people were soon to show up.   It seems like these individuals chose or were prodded  by their fellow hikers NOT to stop there.
>   
>  I ran into these two people in Burney Falls and then started putting faces and stories together.  By the time I had done this we had passed each other and my journey was complete,  I wish I would have had the "cajones" and timing would have been right to confront them and let them know how their behavior could impact everyone else on the trail for years to come......  probably would have done no good ---- since they are the 1 out of 100 bad apples out there.
>   
>  There will always be these bad apples and I think it would be beneficial to everyone if other hikers (me included) could do something to shield the wonderful trail angels from such extremely inconsiderate behavior and people.  Very unclear how this could be done but I think it would be a good positive way to direct this conversation..  
>   
>  Shutterbugg 
>
> 		
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