[pct-l] who pays?

[Mark Liechty]

Marge wrote:
> When I got brought back to the USA in Dec. of 07 I owed my eldest son
> $27,000.  I had not taken out any type of insurance on this trip and was not
> in the habit of taking out insurance on any of my trips, my attitude was
> that I had never needed it before so why start now. 
##############

I am sorry you got hurt.   I am glad you had a solution.     I am also 
very glad that the poor people of Nepal were not stuck with the bill for 
the "American who jumped in front of the bus" (yeah certain that this is 
NOT the way it happens but just as sure someone wrote it up that way)

Just hoping that those on the trails of the USA quickly come to the same 
conclusion.  If you follow the daily stories on sacbee.com California is 
making some drastic decisions.  My guess is that they will not make the 
hard choices and instead will go bankrupt and wait to see what Obama 
does to fix the mess.   

At some point the solution to cost of hikers getting hurt and needing 
rescued is to close the trails and sell the property to pay for 
government spending in other places.  

If you think that is silly then look at the plans to sell Cal Expo (home 
of the State Fair) the LA Colosseum (Home of the 1906, 1984 Olympic 
games) and The Cow palace in SF (home of all kinds of Rodeo, horse and 
similar shows for over 100 years).     Each of these are used 
extensively and once gone will never be replaced.

It is entirely possible that the class of 09 will be the last on the 
PCT.    At least the last that makes the hike in a LEGAL manner.

Mark "Blankie" Liechty
mlaccs @ mlaccs . com