[pct-l] Class of 2010 - LNT

[dsaufley]

This is one of the big topics, and a critically important one.  Trash is a
real problem out there, and it's definitely occurring amongst (gasp) PCT
thru-hikers. I've been very interested in what Billy Goat, Scott Williamson,
and Tatu Joe -- all multiple year hikers -- have had to say about the
proliferation of trash in areas clearly being caused by those in our ranks.
Much of the trash is concentrated at caches, yet another controversial
topic.  But it's not just limited to trash dumped in caches.  Apparently
proper outdoor toilet techniques are not known to all hikers, and dirty
toilet paper (and sometimes worse) trails the nobos. Eeeeeww. Do I have a
solution?  No, but I truly wish I did. We've chewed this one every year, and
the message never reaches the offenders, just the choir.  

On a related note, LNT Outdoor Ethics also include not traveling during the
peak of the season, and traveling in small groups. Some respect and abide by
that, mostly because they're intentionally avoiding a big social scene.
Sadly, though I've heard all the arguments why it's okay for thru-hikers to
do so, many in the thru-hiking community choose to ignore those ethics.  In
fact, they seek the crowd and want to be in the moving party train.  It
speaks of an attitude saying "those rules don't apply to me."  What's a girl
to do?  Sadly, the answer was to put up limits on the number of hikers
allowed, a sanction I was loathe to institute and dislike managing even
more.

I must be becoming a bonafide geezer because I long for what now seem like
"the good ol' days." 

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 11:21 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Class of 2010 - trash

I wish there was something more I could do besides just picking up  
trash. I have a popular web site and I made banner ads about leave no  
trace principles and I randomly insert the ads all over my site  
hoping people will get the message. I also make people accept a  
promise to leave no trace before I let them read information about  
the hikes on my site. But not everyone visits my site so the effect  
is minimal. Heck, for all I know, asking people not to litter just  
makes them want to litter more. Who knows?

I had thought about getting leave no trace posters from the LNT web  
site and posting them at trailheads. But the posters are too much  
about camping and I think it might be best to attack the problem from  
the day-hiker point of view, at least locally.

Anyway, if anyone has ideas on how to get people to litter less in  
the wilderness, (and anywhere, really) I'd love to hear it.

Diane

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