[pct-l] Clumps, herds and where to find them...

[Slyatpct at aol.com]

pct at delnorteresort.com writes:

There is  no 'normal' start date. It will vary from year to year. The 
resulting  'pattern' is unimportant. What is important, people are not 
influenced by  the will of a few who choose a start date a year in advance, 
resulting in  'unnatural' dispersion.



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>From someone that runs Postholer I'm really having a problem with  this.   
Glancing at your website, with the exception of a few heavy  snow years, the 
"sierra enntry indicator"  normally falls in the 1st week  of June.  For an 
average PCT pace that leaves the same short span of start  dates.  It's already 
been pointed out that only 50 hikers left out of the  KO.  The rest before or 
after with the idea of getting to KM around what  your website suggests.
 
The  CDT is a very similar trail.  Although it's easier to  hike southbound 
than the PCT in most years, northbound you have snow to  consider in southern 
Colorado, the same as the Sierras.  The mileages are  similar, the span of 
start dates are similar.  The number of hikers are  not.  The most hikers that 
have ever been in a trail town are 11.   This year, is going to be a huge year, 
with about 50 hikers.
 
Scott, if you were to thru-hike the PCT this year, pick a start date, tell  
us your projected mileage, when you plan on reaching KM, Canada.  And then  
tells us why the majority of the other 300 hikers shouldn't plan likewise.
 
In 2002  you started only a couple days after the KO.  While you  may not 
have been part of the problem the 1st couple days, you were still  clearly part 
of the problem.  It wouldn't have mattered if you started a  week before or a 
week after.
 
Sly
 
 
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