[pct-l] Hiker Privacy and Safety

Sat Nov 22 01:06:58 CST 2008

This is an interesting issue.  Yes, the PCT does go into towns. People might
know where a certain hiker might be at a given point in time.  Do sad things
happen? Yes. However, future thru-hikers should not be looking over their
shoulders when on the trail.  It defeats the whole purpose, which is to have
a sense of liberty and get away from societal agendas. Those rare and
extreme instances when hikers have had unfortunate luck need not be the
standard reason for being "safe." I don't care for that term very much too,
because in reality there are many things beyond our control and no amount of
precautionary measures can completely make anyone safe. Safety is an
illusion. Yes, having anonymity might dampen these unwonted occurances, but
it's a sad day when a thru-hiker has to worry about safety from other
humans.  This might be the careless youth speaking but the PCT is all about
taking a certain chance, meeting people from all over (yes the annoying ones
too), and just plain *living*. You will no more be stalked by a person than
struck by lightening or attacked by a wild animal so this "out to get ya"
fear needs to stop and it's time stand up for who you are: a tough, dirty
backpacker, who's on a journey of a lifetime.

On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 4:45 PM, ed faubert <edfaubert at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Meadow Ed here....
> Well i can agree with Donna for the most part  we also have to be aware
> this knowledge of trail dangers may also cause some newbie to either not
> hike the trail or to  be scrared stiff of encountering some creep. However,
> if this warning helps keep even one hiker alive then it has its merits.  The
> hikers who come into Aqua Dulce this past decade have been lucky to a good
> degree. This is one of two road walks where the PCT is on a narrow  two lane
> paved road and it does cross Sierra Highway before going back into the
> brush.  It can be a long dark hike both coming into town as well as out in
> the wee hours. There is perhaps more possibilty of encountering  people who
> are not  even aware of who hikers even are out there.  True you enter this
> section at Cajon Pass where theres lots more folks about  but your not so
> alone there. Section C also has a couple of prisoner camps  hikers pass
> close too. Even i hate to car camp at Messenger Flats on the 2 weekends
>  that familys come up for a visit.
>
> Andreas comments about we are all family is true to a certain sense but
> sometimes it takes weeks for this all to happen to the group.  Yes the PCT
> hikers have been pretty safe for the most part on the trail. Few incidents
> even seem to mar the safty of the trail heads.  I think anyone who is
> thinking of doing the trail who has some concerns if they are doing it alone
> need to go to trail journals to see how other solo hikers delt with this
> apperication of fear issue Donna bring up.  Could it happen, yes of course,
> Does it happen,  i am not aware of any serious problems. Just like in the
> real world many murders seem to be crimes of passion or where the victem is
> know by the  perp. so maby it is safer out there on trail.
>
> What ever it takes for you to feel safer out there then by all means do it.
> There is way too many things to deal with on the trail without being afraid
> of it...............
>
> Donna Saufley wrote:
> > I coudn't agree more about the hiker community, and how overwhelmingly
> safe
> > and trustworthy I've found hikers to be.  It's nearly miraculous that so
> > many good people have gathered within this family of friends.
> > Unfortunately, the trail crosses roads and hikers go to town. Any area
> that
> > people can drive to will have an entirely different element, and while
> many
> > good people share kindnesses out there, we only have to read the paper or
> > watch Court TV to know that this is not always the case.  The trust that
> is
> > shared within the hiker community just doesn't (or IMHO shouldn't)
> uniformly
> > apply to society, alas.
> > I know for a fact that some hikers suck things up that they may not like
> so
> > as not to offend their host. They've told me so and that they didn't want
> to
> > hurt my feelings or seem ungrateful.  It would be difficult for some to
> say
> > no, don't do that.  Then, too, some that could be in danger may be
> unaware.
> > Also, keep in mind that the real concern is not about a video posted or a
> > book or journal written long after the season ends, but those who are
> > innocently posting journals or emails detailing hiker whereabouts in real
> > time. In hiker world, that's tantamount to giving out somebody's address
> to
> > a completely unknown group of strangers and telling them when they'll be
> > there.
> > I've been asked more than a few times to keep someone's anonymity or
> > whereabouts quiet in my 12 years of hosting.  That's what changed my
> outlook
> > on this. Most commonly, hikers are trying to dodge someone whose company
> > they are avoiding. It's hard to lose someone who is dogging you on the
> > trail. Other hikers who asked me not to post about them were quite
> adamant,
> > and had sound reasons for wanting their whereabouts posted on the
> internet.
> > One explained to me it was because she was on the AT when a young woman
> was
> > murdered because a stalker followed her online journal postings detailing
> > her whereabouts and plans. She literally implored me to not only respect
> her
> > wish for privacy, but to be conscious of this for others too.  It's said
> if
> > we ignore history, we are doomed to repeat it.
> > The sad reality is that hikers are being stalked today on the PCT by some
> > nut that they met at a trail head.  This guy is out looking for these
> > hikers. Let's just say, hypothetically, that this guy finds his way onto
> > this or another PCT forum. Or there's someone already lurking, scanning,
> > hunting on hiker forums.  Let's be real -- the trail attracts its share
> of
> > 5150s.
> > I know, that once again, I am taking a controversial position, sounding
> > preachy, and well, yes I am preaching.  I trying to share what I've
> > witnessed and I'm ringing a bell of warning.  I am posting about it, as
> > unpleasant as it is to deal with, because I want to raise awareness and
> > consciousness. I will go against the tide once again because I'm on my
> own
> > little mission to help hikers and help keep them safe out there.  I also
> > respect differences of opinion, and the thunderbolts of dissention.
> > That's why I'm Lightening Rod ;o)
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:
> pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> > On Behalf Of Andrea Dinsmore
> > Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 12:46 PM
> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> > Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hiker Privacy and Safety
> > Being a trail angel up at the tail north end of the PCT........I have
> never
> > had a hiker in 6 years convey to me or my husband that they require
> > anonymity. Everyone signs the register. Everyone poses for photos both
> > individual and group. They all know they will end up in our annual video.
> > Most hikers want their travels to be posted so family and others CAN
> track
> > the progress. They are very proud of their accomplishments. There's no
> more
> > privacy out on the trail than there is at a public football game.
> Everyone
> > has cameras and everyone talks to each other.  If a hiker needs to be
> > invisible while they are hiking they need to not talk with anyone, hide
> > their face  and don't sign any register with your real or trail name.
> > It's your responsibility to remain anonymous......not ours. The trail is
> > definitely a very public and highly advertised place. Hike the trail and
> > have a good time. You're safer out with all the hiker trash than you are
> in
> > your home town. Hiker trash with care for you if you are hurt or sick.
> Hiker
> > trash with protect you again anything. They become your family by the
> time
> > you finish the hike. Quit being paranoid and enjoy the hike.  You are not
> > out there by yourself.
> > PCT MOM
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