[pct-l] Getting Started, San Diego to Campo

[Robert E. Riess]

For the ninth year, it will be my pleasure to host hikers and help them get off to a good start in San Diego.  I will meet hikers at the airport, train or bus station and provide a place to stay for a night or so, and get them to the trailhead at Campo. I would rather not be asked to pick up hikers at the airport and drive them directly to the trailhead.  I don't shuttle; I host.   

Usually, hikers arrive in SD while I am at work, 7:00am to 2:15pm.  Sometimes they wait for me or sometimes they take the bus to my house.  I will not let late night arrivals stand around at the airport. Most hikers spend a night or two with me, during which time we can usually get to REI or A-16 for last minute gear, and get to a grocery store.  I always have Coleman fuel and alcohol.  Hikers who need a specific fuel canister need to tell me which one and how many.  I have received numerous packages sent to hikers from gear vendors or advance packages sent by themselves.  If you don't have an alcohol stove, I will make you one. 

The best way to start is to be at the monument at first light, 5:40am.  This requires leaving the house at 4:30 after a 4:00am wakeup call.  I do not mind the early departures at all, having done this over two hundred times.  I can leave the monument at 5:45 and be in my classroom ready to teach at 7:00. 

The average year brings me more than forty hikers, last year I hosted 82.  It gets very busy the week of ADZPCTKO.  I am one of the organizers of the event, so I will be at the Lake Morena campground from Friday afternoon April 27 till Sunday noon April 29.  This year I am going to take the Monday after the ADZPCTKO off.  No pickups or trailhead runs that day.  My van carries 6 hikers and gear plus the driver. When it's full, it's full.  First come, first to be served.  If you are late making arrangements, I will do my very best to accommodate you, but some in the past have had to wait a day for their ride to the trail due to the van being full.  I have two spare bedrooms and an RV, but some hikers will be in their bags on the floor.  I have a pool, and no yard whatsoever, so there is no place to pitch your tent.  I encourage all hikers to register with the ADZPCTKO 2007 website, as soon as it is up and running. It has always been the policy of the ADZPCTKO, and my personal policy as well, that we do not accept money from hikers.  For some hikers, a hundred dollars is an incidental, for others, every five bucks must be budgeted.  On the trail, we are all equals, so we accept no money from hikers.  Your generosity may be expressed next year by making a contribution to ADZPCTKO 2008.   

Due to health considerations of a family member, I must limit my accommodations to non-smokers.  If you are a smoker, even if you only smoke outdoors, please do not ask to stay with me.  

If you need the services I provide, please respond by email.  Do not call me on the telephone.  I will forget you.    Please do not make me your backup or contingency plan as you will most likely be denying a spot to another hiker.  For the second season in a row seven hikers have already contacted me prior to posting this message.  This may be an indication of a large membership in the Class of 2007, as it was in the all- time record year in 2006, or it might be the wide popularity of Yogi's books.   So far this year, I have scheduled trailhead runs for April 13, 18, 20, 25, 26  and 27 with more to come as my list rows. Finally, I will be in Minnesota with my dad during the 2008 hiking season, so next year I will not be able to host hikers and I will not be able to participate in the ADZPCTKO in any capacity.  I will miss you all.  There are many willing trail angels in San Diego and more than enough dedicated people affiliated with the ADZPCTKO to pick up any slack.  

Good luck to the Class of 2007. 
Hike on !  Bob Riess at the trailhead.
ADZPCTKO est 1999