[pct-l] DC Area Hikers/Parental Concerns

Mon Dec 20 16:44:45 CST 2010

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>
To: ned at mountaineducation.org
Sent: Mon, December 20, 2010 5:44:00 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] DC Area Hikers/Parental Concerns

Ned got me thinking about this and i thought i'd amend what i said before:

it's hard for me to quantify what 'city folk' do and don't know about camping.  
there is a definaely a need to learn basic bushcrafting; fire skills  (not just 
setting one, maintaining one);  route finding, etc.  These are things we take 
for granted in rural British Columbia...someone from New York City might not 
understand why their fire keeps going out,  and it could lead to a dangerous 
situation.  just the same as my wife; when we went to Baltimore had no idea how 
to pay for her stuff at the gas station; and tried to find her way into those 
little bullet proof rooms that the cashier is in.  

if you did not grow up with boyscouts, or a dad who liked camping, etc. etc.  
then  your first few trips will be quite miserable (mine were anyway,  slept in 
my bag with no mat in a lean-to in constant rain)... no fun.  Having a mentor 
can mean a lot.  And while fellow hikers are friendly and eager to share; it is 
irresponsible to expect people on the trail to teach you how to be safe... you 
need to show up prepared...  preparedness means sometimes carrying more weight 
until you know what you can and can't get away with.  that's why normal folk 
like me carry a lot more weight than elites like Billygoat.

long story short,  you can learn a lot of skills in your backyard...but you 
can't teach yourself how to self arrest by watching a youtube video.  i do not 
know Ned,  but i understand he is passionate about our cause and is eager to be 
that mentor that you might actually really need.  he doesn't teach you skills 
because they're cool to know,  he teaches you them because it might  save your 
life.  

Chris, 
 a mountain safety course might be a very wise thing to do if you've not done 
anything like it before... and imagine how seriously your family will take you 
then;  when you've been professional trained for all but the worst of 
situations.  as for the other stuff,  take interest, do research, and be vocal 
to your family about what you've learned...  make them aware of how much you've 
learned, and how prepared you are.  this should do a lot to dispell their fears.
... additionally, be real with them (and to yourself) about the dangers,  
explain to them that rattlesnake bites are extremely rare, but sprained ankles 
are not.  That bears are not mad killing machines etc.  things they likely 
already know, but i don't know their background so i am unsure.  listen to their 
concerns and fears and address them directly.  are they afraid you will fall to 
your  death?  are they afraid you'll die of a coral rattlesnake bite?  whatever 
their major fear is; study it specifically and come back to them with what 
you've learned.  listen to their concerns and don't shrug them off... it'll 
build a stronger relationship at the same time.

my humble opine,
~Paul

________________________________
From: "ned at mountaineducation.org" <ned at mountaineducation.org>
To: Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, December 20, 2010 12:14:12 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] DC Area Hikers/Parental Concerns

Hi, Paul!

As I'm sure you've found out, just because one hiker says that hiking the PCT 
"was no big deal" doesn't mean that you will have the same experience since it 
all depends on your set of skills, knowledge, prior experience, timing, and 
individual circumstances along the way. It is absolutely right that you 
investigate all this, though, and test yourself to see if you have what it 
"takes" to accomplish it.

We teach hikers how to deal with snow, how to camp in it, move about safely 
while avoiding the less obvious hazards, and navigate along knowing where you 
are and where you're going without seeing the trail above and below timberline. 
Cost is donation-basis only as we are passion-driven and non-profit. Our website 
is being rebuilt, but you can read up on our Snow Skills Courses at 
http://postholer.com/MountainEducation and see pix of past trips at our Facebook  
site for Mountain Education.

"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
   P: 888-996-8333
   F: 530-541-1456
   C: 530-721-1551
  http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Robison" <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>
To: "Christopher Barrow" <cbarrow1 at gmail.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] DC Area Hikers/Parental Concerns

> i would encourage them to read the  trail-journals of the 250 to 300 people a
> year who thru hike and how many of them have been attacked or hurt ?
> 
> 
> 
> that worked for my family,  taking the approach of  "look, lots of people do
> this, and it's not that dangerous"   if you add into that you being well
> prepared and knowledgable,  that would work for my family...  YRMV
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Christopher Barrow <cbarrow1 at gmail.com>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Thu, December 16, 2010 7:13:49 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] DC Area Hikers/Parental Concerns
> 
> To all:
> 
> Just wondering if there is anyone out there who is planning to hike the PCT
>  this coming Spring of 2011 and is heading out from the DC Metro area.  I
> have already made most of the purchases needed for the trail and am
> beginning to work on the week by week food and mileage planning.  Home for
> me is in Southern MD, but I am usually up to the DC beltway and just south
> of Baltimore most weekends.  Family members have concerns that I'll be
> heading out on this alone and wanted me to at least reach out and see if
> there is anyone in the local area who had similar aspirations.
> 
> Also, does anyone know of any good sites to allay the fears of close friends
> and family members who think that hiking the PCT is basically and invitation
> for death or severe injury?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Chris
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