[pct-l] Warner Springs theft

[Tom Bache]

I am on the Warner Springs Ranch Board of Directors as well as a PCT section
hiker who posts here occasionally.  I have spoken to the Ranch manager and
learned that he did everything he could reasonably do for Patti, as he does
for every hiker that passes through.

Like so many people up and down the trail, Warner Springs Ranch management
is a very generous supporter of PCT hikers.  There are countless examples of
favors done and kind gestures from management and the staff.  What happened
to Patti's package is a mystery to all.

Most packages sent to Warner Springs go to the Post Office.  The Post Office
is safer (no place is entirely safe), but has limited hours. A relatively
small number of packages (Patti's among them) are sent to the Ranch to be
held for the arrival of the hiker (this is, of course, a favor).  The Ranch
puts them in a corner of the reception area where hiders can access them
7/24 (some come in the middle of the night). This trades security for
accessibility, but that is believed to be the hikers' preference and has
worked well for many, many years. There is some level of security in that
the reception staff is nearby 24 hours a day.  But anyone who looks like a
hiker can search through the small stack of packages to seek his own (or
somebody else's should they have mischief in mind).

Patti's loss must be very, very frustrating, and a fit of temper is
understandable.  But intemperate notes to a wide distribution are
inappropriate.  People love PCT hikers because most are open, friendly, and
grateful for every bit of help offered. It helps us all to keep that
attitude even when the offer to help doesn't work out as well as we think it
should. 

Tom Bache
San Diego


On 5/3/10 3:05 PM, "Tom Bache" <tbache at san.rr.com> wrote:

> Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 11:28:26 -0700 (PDT)
> From: patti kulesz <peprmintpati88 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Warner Springs theft
> To: pctl <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> 
> so we arrived yesterday, finally made it thru all that crazy weather and got
> here to find out that WS resort put our resupply box right next to the hiker
> box and even though our box was all taped up and labeled with our names and
> that we were PCT hikers...the resort allows just ANYONE to just go back
> there and rummage thru and find what they need...and that they did! Someone
> opened our resupply box and not only took all of our food but also our
> microspikes and my Tarp Tent! If anyone is reading this that's on the trail
> the tent is very sentimental to me as it was a gift and has traveled the PCT
> and AT already. It is the older version of the Rainbow meaning it has no
> zipper on the fly so it's pretty easy to spot. Beat some ass for me and get
> my tent back plz! I'm really livid with the fact that another hiker would do
> this to us. We also need the spikes to get up Idyllwild...ggrrr!
> Our box was obviously labeled AND taped. They deliberately opened it and
> rummaged thru a box that also was obviously NOT a hiker box and definitely a
> resupply. Hiker boxes are pretty random stuff...ours was not! WTF??? I'm not
> getting mail from pctL anymore so if u have any info for me plz email me
> directly...also never trust WS resort to keep ur stuff safe. They don't even
> care...here fill out an incident report and have a nice day...BASTARDS!!!
> thanx and hugs
> 
> patti?Sugar Moma PCT 09!
> 
> 
> www.hikestrong2010.com?hiking again in 2010 for cancer!?
> 
>