[pct-l] The ADZ CONTOVERSY AS IT APPEARS TO AN OUTSIDER

[Donna Saufley]

Sly, my friend, this is the west coast, not the east coast.  There are major
attitudinal and geographic differences.

 

The AT is a National Park.  It has a longer history, is infinitely more
accessible, and passes in or near many towns.  None of these things are true
for the PCT.  Literally everyone on the east coast knows about the AT.  Most
people out here don’t even know the PCT exists or what it is, even when they
live directly on it.  The AT is NOT a wilderness trail as the PCT is.  And,
it seems that overall folks on the AT (even trail angels) seek to profit
from the hikers (ka-ching).  Not so on the PCT.  It will be a very sad day
for PCT hikers if/when that comes to pass – the end of something special and
unique. 

 

Out west, many folks choose to live in more remote areas because they’re
sick of crowds and congestion.  The Herd descends upon towns like the bikers
do at Sturgis.  Not everyone is happy about it.  Locals who are used to
simply going into the post offices for services have to wait in long lines,
regulars at restaurants don’t the their usual seats and or services, and
items they’re used to finding at their local grocery store may be depleted.
In some towns they don’t view the “long haired hippie types” real favorably.
Our neighboring town of Acton kicked the entire trail out of their town
because they did not want the “hiker element” passing through “their town.”
(That is a fact.) 

 

Other facts to argue against your point are that the postmistress at Warner
Springs told Jeff that she complained numerous times to the ADZ organizers
about what the crowds do to her routine, and that (in her words), “they
pooh-poohed her.”  The owner of the Tahquitz Inn has stopped extending
special treatment to hikers because of an overall attitude of “entitlement;”
gee, I wonder how that gets started?  Obviously I’ve complained and raised
the issue and no one gives a rat’s behind.  

 

So, don’t assume that the small towns out here will be as happy about large
crowds descending upon them.  Every business owner likes steady business,
but large fluctuations are difficult to handle from inventory and customer
satisfaction points of view.  And the true bread and butter for a lot of
these locations are their regular customers – not the hikers.  If the hikers
become too much of a PITA, they can and will do what Acton did and kick the
trail out.

 

Someone said it best – the PCT and AT are like apples and oranges, and
they’re just not the same.  Period. 

 

L-Rod

 

   _____  

From: Slyatpct at aol.com [mailto:Slyatpct at aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 10:28 AM
To: dsaufley at sprynet.com; wayneskraft at comcast.net; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] The ADZ CONTOVERSY AS IT APPEARS TO AN OUTSIDER

 

In a message dated 2/29/2008 1:03:25 PM Eastern Standard Time,
dsaufley at sprynet.com writes:

The only difference with this discussion is that when they eat their egg
their way, it affects others.  It's not just an esoteric disagreement, there
are consequences for which others pay the price. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I best suggest you start calling your contemporaries on the AT.  Here's one
little outfitter directly on the trail, that deals efficiently with the herd
or all herds.

 

HYPERLINK
"http://www.mountaincrossings.com/index.asp?PageAction=COMPANY"http://www.mo
untaincrossings.com/index.asp?PageAction=COMPANY

 

If you'd like names and numbers of hostels, motels, stores, AT clubs and the
ATC I'll provide them.  

 

Sly





   _____  

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