[pct-l] Responsible Hiker or Knucklehead

[RJ Lewis]

All I can say to that is AMEN....

Peace!
 From the (very wet) Cascades of WA,
Ronnie Jo




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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