[pct-l] Whores and the TahquitzInn

[Tortoise]

A couple of comments:

There are "bad apples" almost everywhere. Hikers are no exception. About 
1989 I was on a Sierra Club trip in the Grand Canyon with a leader who 
was supposedly qualified, except that he was ill informed about water 
conditions and rules. When we got to one campsite, there was only a 
trickle of water in the creek. Leader decided to go on to next nite's 
planned stop. We got there and the park ranger didn't want us to camp 
there since we didn't have reservations -- understandable and legitimate 
since each spot has only a limited carrying capacity and was already 
booked full. Leader got obnoxious with the rangers and ranted about 
being part of the Sierra Club. Rangers had heard this rant before and 
the rant is one reason why the Sierra Club has a bad reputation.

I used to lead Sierra Club trips and I've had a few bad apples.

I was in the Navy in the '60's and sailors had a bad reputation in many 
Navy towns. (Sailors and dogs "keep off the grass".  Understandably so. 
I was tarred with that reputation even though my conduct was much better.

I think the hiker awareness campaign at KO is important. I urge the 
guidebook authors to include some information about proper treatment of 
and gratitude to Trail Angels, whether the angel just gives you a lift 
or puts you up for the nite.

Happy New Year.

----------
Tortoise

<> He who finishes last, wins! <>

I switched to Mac OSX rather than fight Windows
Using Mozilla Thunderbird  http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

Jack Coughlin wrote:
> Sigh...
>    
>   This is unfortunately not a new phenomenon. In 1996 ALDHA (east) started an Endangered 
>   Services Campaign to try to raise awareness among hikers  (to use their words) to Hike In
>   Harmony and be a Social Animal because so many services were closing their doors to 
>   hikers on the AT.   ALDHA has created posters to try getting this message across.
>   In 2001 on the PCT, myself and two other hikers allowed the folks in Siead Valley to vent 
>   their frustrations on us because of a pack of inconsiderate hikers and when I got to Cascade 
>   Lockes I was refused a room at a motel because of these same hikers.   As far as hikers 
>   handling the problem themselves.  I tried.  I talked to the most receptive members  of 
>   that group in Oregon to try to get them to understand the impact of their behavoir but it didn't 
>   work as was evident when I got to Cascade Locke.  The sad thing is as individuals they all 
>   seemed like good people but in a group they were aweful.
>    
>   I don't know the answer but wish I did.  It seems on the PCT that some hikers get so spoiled 
>   by all the kindness of the trail angels down south that they feel entitled to that treatment 
>   everywhere they go.  I had hikers complain about Poohs Corner because there were too 
>   many rules.  I talked to those hikers too and asked them what they expected from someone 
>   who invites you into their home, feeds you, gives you a place to sleep and do laundry and the 
>   answer I got was "well it's not like the Saufleys."   (This is not meant as an attack on Jeff 
>   and Donna who are simply amazing people but nothing is like the Saufley's)
>    
>   In answer to Andrea's questions.  Hikers should  expect nothing special from businesses 
>   and trail angels and any time they are treated with kindness they should be extremely 
>   thankful for anything they are given.  Some hikers say they are on limited budgets and 
>   therefore should be treated special but I so disagree.  Long distance hikers make a 
>   conscious decision to quit their jobs and spend 5 to 6 months as "unemployed vagrants" and 
>   nobody owes them anything.
>    
>   Thank you to any and all trail angels out there for helping out hikers.  If it becomes a financial 
>   burden there is nothing wrong with asking for contributions to help cover costs.  If a hiker 
>   doesn't like it, that's their problem not yours.  Wish them well and send them on their way.
>    
>   Sorry for ranting here but this is a sore subject with me and a problem that should not exist.
>    
>   Sincerely,
>    
>   Jack AT 94, PCT 01
>    
>   Merry Christmas
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