[pct-l] Thank You All!

[Will Hiltz]

Hi Joe-


Thanks for the rapid response!  I think you've touched upon the crucial
point... you WERE singled out and precisely BECAUSE you were making a
high-profile attempt.   My point was more along the lines of considering the
potential effect you might have amongst the community.  You have quite the
opportunity to influence others who hike the trail.  My suggestion is merely
to consider how you might best use this influence to best serve the
well-being and future prosperity of the trail, rather than your own personal
goals.  You have become one of the faces of our little community!  Why not
use that opportunity to advocate conscientious wilderness practices and
exemplary hiking behavior?  That would certainly be more advantageous for
the trail.... after all, as you stated: "Thrashing this trail or creating
problems for the future of this trail are not what we are all about."  I
think we agree that having 300 thrus hike through a fire closure is not in
the best future interests of the trail or the LDH community.


As to your second question... I would LOVE to go on a little winter Sierra
hike.  If only proximity permitted... not all of us are lucky enough to live
in the Estados Unitos all the year round.  As an alternative, let me offer
you a place to stay in SE Asia (Vietnam) and a mountain to hike.  Its the
highest in SE Asia but only a paltry 3000+ meters-- no Mt. Whitney to be
sure!

Kindest Regards and YITOOD,

Easy



On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 6:11 PM, joseph kisner
<lostonthecrest at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
> Will, we did take in concideration. We never went through an active fire.
> We got caught in a back burn area. We were not the first nor were we the
> last. We were targeted for our popularity and our endeavor. We also had
> Michelle post because it was a possible danger zone. As far as monkey see
> monkey do, well I like to hike the sierras in winter, would you like to come
> along? cheers and thanks, joe
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:02:08 -0400
> From: will.hiltz at gmail.com
> To: lostonthecrest at hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Thank You All!
> CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
>
>
> Hi Joe-
>
>
> I had the great pleasure of meeting you above the golden staircase in '07
> and let me add my praise to the chorus... truly an amazing accomplishment!
>
>
> At the risk of being lumped in with the "sour grapes" and "cyber hiking"
> crowd I'd love to pose a few questions regarding your decision to press on
> through the Northern California fire closure, as was announced on this list
> by Scott's girlfriend.
>
>
> My particular interest is the interplay between what surely was a personal
> choice (i.e.- to hike through an active fire area) and the precedent that
> sets for other hikers.  While I respect your decision on a personal level
> (you are very experienced, mindful of the risks, extremely motivated to get
> every trail mile from Mex to Can in, etc. etc.) I wonder if any
> consideration of the trail community as a whole factored in to your
> decision?  Monkey see - monkey do is a very powerful thing... did you
> consider that hiking through a closed active fire area might encourage
> others to do something similar?  Being particularly well-known hikers, did
> you feel any sense of obligation to conduct yourselves in an exemplary
> fashion even above and beyond what you would normally do?
>
>
> I understand if you don't feel like answering these questions, drained as
> I'm sure you are from a long 71 days on the trail.  I'd love your input on
> the rationale behind this particular decision if you feel so inclined.  MY
> personal interest is finding a way that we as a long distance hiking
> community can give you the love and kudos you so richly deserve while at the
> same time identifying this decision as something that PCT hikers in general
> should not be doing for a whole host of reasons that don't need rehashing
> here.
>
>
> Again, congrats- those of us riding our desks are green with envy, I assure
> you.
>
> YITOOD,
>
> Easy
>
> On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 1:12 PM, joseph kisner <lostonthecrest at hotmail.com
> > wrote:
>
> I would like to put a BIG Thank You to EVERYONE who was a part of our hike
> this summer. It was a grand adventure, a rewarding endeavor, and the PCT
> community were there with us the entire way with blessings and good will.
>
>  I would especially like to thank Reinhold (for your ride to the border,
> and cheers along the way), St. Alfonzo (for you blessing, and continuous
> cheers), Donna and Jeff (for the comfortable shade on a very hot day, as
> well as the memorable mexican meal together), Joe and Terri (Sorry we missed
> you both, but thanks for the important info, Terri), Georgi and Dennis
> (Sorry we missed you Georgie, but we still stuffed our faces, showered, and
> visited Dennis),  Andrea and Jerry, (You two ROCK!, Burgers, a custom cake,
> and all that on the pass, to keep us going.) Rich and Debbie, (You two are
> life savers and great friends!) Dusty, (Who drove several hours to Manning
> Park, Began walking out to the monument in the rain, who drove us to Seattle
> and fed us Huge, and refused to except any money, You are far too cool!).
>
>  I would also like to thank all that called and left positive messages on
> my voicemail, (They go a long way, when times get tough. I am sorry there
> all just too many of you to mention, but believe me when I say, I will
> always remember.)
>
>  I would like to also thank, Brian at ULA, who customised a pack at the
> last minute, and gifted an Ice Ax as well. Evan at Integral Designs, who
> gifted my Tarp, wind clothes, stuff sacks and  ditty bags. Chuck, at Petzl,
> for the e-lights and all the battery's. All the above was already proven,
> and were our choices and not just free items.
>
>  I would like to thank the business owners, especially those of you who
> help us hikers as much as you can. And for those of you who try to suck
> every penny out of us, thanks for nothing.
>
>  I would like to thank Ray and Jenny Jardine, Brian Robinson, Ray 'the
> wall' Greenwall, and Matt 'Sqeaky' Hazley, for setting the previous records.
>
>  But just as important, were all of the hikers, section hikers, day hikers,
> weekend hikers and thru-hikers whom we shared time and trail with. You were
> all great and I never met a sour grape, unlike some of the cyber hikers.
>
>  For all of you who came to our defense over the fire closures, THANK YOU!
> Scott and I both, would never even consider doing anything, that would make
> us (hikers) look bad in the publics eye. We both live for this trail, Scott
> has spent all of his adult life, and half of his whole life living on this
> trail. He has hiked over 40 thousand miles of PCT hiking,(more than all you
> sour grapes put together) all in which he has done as an minimalist with
> little to no impact.(unlike you heavy loads who make camp every 7 miles)
> Thrashing this trail or creating problems for the future of this trail are
> not what we are all about.
>
>  The people who jumped to attacking us, do not know what the hell they are
> talking about. I understand their thoughts, and respect their opinion, but
> doubt they we will ever see eye to eye with me. So rather than disputing it
> with any of them, I will attempt helping them. If any of you would like to
> try to understand, I suggest next March, go down to Campo and start walking
> North, and God willing you walk every step to Monument 78, you will not only
> understand, but finally have your life  figured out in a new way. You will
> not waste your life insulting others who are hiking the trail, while you
> hike cyber hiking.  The last one on PCT who finishes, does not win, but
> usually has to hitch a ride to beat the fall storms.
>
>   JOE KISNER  MEXICO > CANADA 08'   06/08/08 12:45PM TO 08/18/08 3:26PM
>  71 DAYS 2 HOURS 41 MINUTES                          THANK YOU ALL!!!!!
>
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