[pct-l] The Herd is a FACT...

Tue Mar 13 19:48:57 CDT 2007

I well understand L-Rod's concerns, but I feel compelled to point
out that a great many factors induce thru-hikers to start their
nobo hikes within a relatively short period. TheADZPCTKO
is only one of them. For good or ill, nobos are going to cluster
their starts within roughly a 2-week period near the end of April
in most any year, and the 2 or 3 weekends during this period
would still see the lion's share of hikers starting each year.

So, while it is undeniable that there is a strong correlation between
the ADZPCTKO and the start of most nobo hikes, this correlation
is not exactly causal. In fact, I think it would be fair to say that
the organizers of the ADZPCTKO originally chose their date, not
to attract hikers, but because that date was when most hikers
would be in the vicinity. IOW, the cause was in place before the
ADZPCTKO began and would be there without it.

Much like the Saufleys, who do so much for hikers (as she correctly
and proudly states below) the ADZPCTKO organizers are also
volunteers, who provide a keenly appreciated service to (Nobo) hikers.
I think the conflict between them is mostly apparent, but not
substantive.

If the ADZPCTKO were abolished, I surmise that the Saufley's (and
others') problems with hikers bunching up in a short time period and
straining the hospitality of various service providers along the trail
might ease slightly. But only slightly. And much would be lost.

However, I would urge all 2007 nobos to consider shifting
their start day to something more individual and eccentric,
if you feel you could happily skip the ADZPCTKO, and
give the Saufleys a bit of a break and yourself a bit more
elbow room, apart from the crowd, er, herd, er, hoard.

----- Original Message -----
From: <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: "Carl & Judy Rush" <elisenme2 at gmail.com>; "stillroaming"
<pct at delnorteresort.com>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] The Herd is a FACT...

> Carl and Everyone in PCT-Land,
>
> With much respect, the bunching happens in many places, not just at Hiker
Heaven. For example:
>
> * The horror stories for the Warner Springs PO are legendary.  The local
postmistress told Jeff that she's complained to the ADZ organizers on more
than one occasion.
> * We heard from last year's crowd of 35 hikers camped in a campground mean
for a dozen. Unimpacted areas were trampled.
> * Meadow Mary reported seeing 66 hikers pass cross Pines-to-Palms (since
renamed) in one day.
> * Billy Goat reported seeing over 50 hikers leaving Kennedy Meadows in one
day.
> * Many hikers reported caches dessimated when they arrived.
> * 2006 hikers told me that while they may have had some time alone on the
trail during the day, they hadn't had a night alone outside of the earshot
of others in the first 454 miles of the trail.  a
> * Whether a "mob mentality" is to blame, or whether the herd is
responsible for creating such a mentality or not, there were unprecedented
problems in 2006 with trash on the trail and at caches by thru-hikers.  And
at other trail angels.  And at the Tahquitz.
>
> But most frightening, I have heard that officials from the Cleveland
National Forest, who have delegated their permitting authority to the PCTA
(as have the other agencies), have asked the PCTA to institute limits on the
number of permits issued for each day. This is exactly the type of harm that
I fear bunching up the hikers will do.
>
> The well-intended mitigation of the rideshare program (which BTW I
proposed when I was still and ADZ organizing committee member) has little
impact on the bunching effect.  Those that start two weeks ahead may be able
to stay ahead.  But those who are just a week out get swallowed up by the
pack.  Even with the rideshare program the tsunami of people still exists.
We had 30 arrive here in one afternoon, and at the peak of the season there
were 60 here at once. And, unlike past years, people did not stay here,
lingering for days.  We had very few who stayed more than a day or two.
>
> Last year I said nothing, and let the debate go on without my input.
Others took up the banner and carried it just fine without me.  But someone
special recently reminded me that if people don't know why I'm choosing to
boycott, the action (or lack thereof) has no meaning, and the purpose of the
boycott becomes forgotten. So, I'm not being quiet this year.
>
> I think the party the ADZ organizers throw for the hikers is about the
best damn party on the planet.  There's much good, and honestly much love
that flows from there. Their hard work and contributions, the classes, and
showcase for equipment are incredible.  But they'd all be just as
incredible, the party just as good, and the hikers would appreciate it all
just as much elsewhere, without the "harmful side effects."
>
> My honest and heartfelt concern,
>
> L-Rod (short for Lightening Rod)
> aka Donna Saufley for those who don't know me
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Carl & Judy Rush <elisenme2 at gmail.com>
> >Sent: Mar 12, 2007 9:16 PM
> >To: stillroaming <pct at delnorteresort.com>
> >Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> >Subject: Re: [pct-l] The Herd is a FACT...
> >
> >Scott,
> >
> >  I realize that hikers bunching up at the Saufleys has been a problem in
> >past years, but I believe that this years hikers are aware of this and
are
> >trying to avoid it. As you well know the starting date poll on the
PCT2007
> >yahoo group has ONE person starting the last day of the KO party, with
most
> >starting a week or two before.
> >Carl
> >
> >
> >On 3/12/07, stillroaming <pct at delnorteresort.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> If you have any doubts about the existence of 'the herd' go stand
outside
> >> the P.O. in Warner Springs on day 5,6,7 after the KO....and count.
Around
> >> 60
> >> hikers on the busiest day should be the peak.
> >>
> >> The results is indisputable and commentary to the contrary is flat
wrong.
> >> And, it'll just get worse to the delight of the organizers.
> >>
> >> In my opinion, Lake Morena is the perfect spot for the KO. Thru-wallets
> >> have
> >> only been on the trail a day or two, they're wildly enthusiastic and
you
> >> get
> >> access to the ones who haven't dropped yet. Ka'ching! How many
> >> thru-wallets
> >> would you have access to in Kennedy Meadows? C'mon, get real! Lake
Morena
> >> is
> >> per-fect!
> >>
> >> Further reading:
> >> Avoid the ADZPCTKO:
> >> http://postholer.com/trails/adz.html
> >>
> >> The Story of a Thru-Wallet (The ADZPCTKO accepts payment by Paypal and
> >> Visa
> >> for this FREE event)
> >> http://postholer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=236
> >>
> >> L-Rod's unsolicted cheerleader on avoiding the "Artificial Day Zero PCT
> >> Kick
> >> Off",
> >> Scott "Stillroaming" Parks
> >>
> >> ------------------------------------
> >> Trails : http://Postholer.Com
> >> Journals : http://Postholer.Com/journal
> >>
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