[pct-l] Fwd: Excessive Information Gathering on Hikers

[Holly Ayers]

I agree with Greg.  The trail angels open their homes and their hearts. The hiker that wants to remain anonymous might want to avoid the Trail Angels altogether.  The Dinsmores, the Heitmans, the Saufleys, etc. are what we family members know are out there looking after our hikers.
Holly Ayers
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Greg Kesselring 
  To: Brick Robbins 
  Cc: pct back country 
  Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 4:18 PM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] Fwd: Excessive Information Gathering on Hikers


  I believe it's human nature to have genuine concern for our fellow humans.  A desire to extend a helping hand is part of human nature, part of who we all are.  Compassion is part of our nature.  These qualities are part of who we are, and they're felt and expressed even more strongly towards people we know, people we feel close to.  It's just basic human nature to want to help one another, especially if we have reason to believe a person is in physical danger or in need of help in some other way.

  This year the hiking season ended abruptly, and several weeks earlier than is usual.  Conditions went from summer to winter in the high country almost overnight.  Hikers who are out with their summer gear but get caught in winter conditions usually have a rough time of it.  I believe hikers die nearly every year in the High Sierra when they get caught in an usually strong early season storm.

  Because of the unusual conditions we had this year here in WA, it's natural and normal that all of us who have been watching the progress of the thru-hiking community--and cheering them on from the sidelines--would be concerned.  That concern comes out of a genuine caring for these individuals, genuinely wanting the best for them.  

  Because of the free flow of communication these days with the internet, we can all enjoy hearing about where the thru-hikers are and how they are doing.  It brings a lot of joy to all of us to hear about them and the kind of progress they're making towards their goal.

  My feeling is that if there is someone out there on the trail who wants to be very private about their hike, it's THEIR responsibility to make that known to the other hikers on the trail, not the other way around.  The norm these days, because of the thru-hiking community and the internet, is that information is going to be passed on.  So if you're a thru-hiker and you do NOT want information about your whereabouts known to anyone, then you need to tell the other hikers you meet that you're doing a private hike and it's not for publication.  Otherwise, be prepared for people for trail angels to extend a helping hand, be prepared for people to feel some concern if you're overdue, and even to call out SAR if you're seriously overdue.  

  Greg



  Brick Robbins wrote: 
No problem Scott. We won't worry about any of the hikers anymore. They
choose to go out in hazardous conditions........why should we give a rip
about their safety.
    
  This 'caring, helpful' trail supporter mentality can actually have the
opposite effect, such as, calling search & rescue because YOU'RE
      concerned.
    Not because THE HIKERS require it.
      
First off, as list administrator, I'd like this discussion to remain
civil, so please be friendly

Mainly, this brings up a interesting point to consider. When John
Donovan went missing in San Jacinto, when would have been a good time
to call SAR? If 'caring, helpful' trail supporters had called SAR
earlier, could he have lived? He certainly was unable to communicate
his need from where he was stuck.

>From the notes he left behind he was alive for quite a long time after
he went missing.

Or does his "right to privacy" include a right to die privately while
lost in the mountains in a storm?

I'd be interested in hearing YOUR opinion on this.
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