[pct-l] Responsible Hiker or Knucklehead

[Carl & Judy Rush]

I know that last year there were some big problems with a few hikers on the
trail , such as skipping out without paying their bill at VV , giving motel
owners a hard time ,and even arguing with trail angels. There were other
hikers present who knew about these events, but did and said nothing to
them. I don't understand why, I believe that we have to police our own, or
we won't be welcome anywhere.
Carl


On 4/8/07, Hiker97 at aol.com <Hiker97 at aol.com> wrote:
>
> It is that time of year for this  post.
>
> One of the reasons we hike is to  kick back and enjoy the world without a
> lot
> of constraints.  We get out of  the ordinary and into the
> extraordinary.  We
> like a little extra freedom  out there to do what we want to do and when
> we
> want to do it.
>
> There are so many rules and welfare  in our civilized lives that we like
> to
> be on adventure with Mother Nature.   The sooner we can get into this
> rhythm,
> the better we like it.
>
> Each hiker has their way to be on  adventure.  Some do it with others and
> some do it alone.  Some like  big mileage days and others like a more
> causal
> pace.  There is room for  everyone on the trail.
>
> But this brings us to an  unfortunate human phenomenon.  Some hikers think
> that their hiking freedom  supersedes the rights of others.  They think
> that
> disrespecting others or  their property is okay.  After all they are on a
> hike
> and do not have to  adhere to the normal rules of conduct.  These are the
> Knuckleheads.
>
> Fortunately, these hikers are a  real minority.  The vast majority of
> hikers
> are a credit to the hiking  community.  They respect themselves and their
> abilities, the rights of  others, and Mother Nature.
>
> The trouble is that it only takes a  few bad apples to spoil the
> barrel.  It
> only takes a few Knuckleheads to  give the whole trail community a bad
> name.
> Here are some bad conduct  things they do:
>
> ---- Trashing motel rooms
> ----  Not paying or offering to pay for services
> ---- Not saying thank you
> ----  Not offering to pay for gas
> ---- Not being helpful
> ---- Expecting support,  instead of being appreciative if it happens
> ---- Always taking and not giving  – selfish
> ---- Not supportive of other hikers
> ---- An air of superiority  and condescending
> ---- Not leaving things better than they found them - for  example, they
> don't pick up trash on the trail
> ---- Not being an example  of right conduct or a positive role model
>
> What is so frustrating is that  doing the right thing on the trail is so
> easy.  It takes a real conscience  effort to screw up out there.  You
> almost have
> to will yourself to be a  Knucklehead.  It is a premeditated act to be
> one.
> It is not an  accident.
>
> Just because someone is on a hike  does not mean they cannot act like
> ladies
> and gentlemen.  Like they have  some class about them.
>
> It is the responsibility of every  hiker to immediately let those very few
> hikers know that their conduct is not  appreciated.  That the sooner they
> wise
> up, the better for everyone.   Do your part and help us keep the trail
> community healthy and  positive.
>
> I thank you.  Switchback the  Trail Pirate
>
>
>
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