[pct-l] Warner Springs Ranch management comment

[Tom Bache]

I have received the following note from the General Manager of Warner
Springs Ranch.  The comments and suggestions he makes seem applicable to
some other resupply places up the trail, so I'm passing it on to the hiker
community.

Tom Bache
San Diego

---------- Note from Jim Stilwell, Warner Springs Ranch General Manager

Had we received Patti's package in the mail addressed to an incoming
guest/PCT hiker we would have treated it as mail. It would then have
received secure storage.  The downside for hiker's is that it would then
only be accessible during business hours or by finding a manager willing and
able to open the storage office as a favor.

My understanding is that Patti's box was dropped off at the Ranch by a
friend. Staff told this person that they were welcome to place it with the
rest of the hiker boxes, which they did.  It was marked with a 4/26 or 4/28
ETA (not sure), and Patti arrived 5/2.  Is it possible that the person
taking it assumed the hiker had come and gone?  Was the box securely wrapped
and sealed to discourage errant investigation?  I don't know.

I talked to Patti's hiker-buddy and assured him that I would submit her loss
to our insurer.  He provided a detailed list of contents and as promised, I
will do what I can.  I note that while I was having this conversation with
her friend, she was using our computers and high-speed Internet access to
write her note lamenting the event (fair) and criticizing our staff (maybe
not so fair).      

We sometimes find ourselves in awkward situations.  For example, we recently
received a box dropped without instructions.  It was well-wrapped and
sealed, ready for shipment, and similar to what a small tent would be
packaged in when new.  A name was written on the box as well as what was
presumed to be the date of arrival, but it had a prepaid, outbound UPS label
attached and was addressed to a location up the line on the PCT.  As we had
no record of the hiker in our reservations system, and no one knew anything
about the box, we gave this box to UPS for onward delivery to make sure it
got to the hiker.  This might be a great favor to a hiker who has already
passed through, or it might be a mistake.  Time will tell.

Moving forward, we will continue to service the PCT hikers as they come
through the Ranch.  We will accept dropped packages.  We will accept
packages sent via UPS, FEDEX and similar.  Mailed packages should be sent
via General Delivery to the Warner Springs Post Office, 92086.  Anything of
real value should be mailed and insured.  Our staff enjoys seeing the hikers
and often takes personal time to help them with rides or other needs.

All packages that come to use should be in stout boxes, packaged and sealed
as if for shipping.  The box should be clearly marked with the hiker's name
and estimated arrival date or date range, along with text saying HOLD FOR
ARRIVAL or something similar.  If the box is well-sealed it should not be
confused with a box that had already been opened and resealed.  We will
place the boxes in the hallway outside the Hotel Director's office where it
is accessible 24 hours per day for the arriving hiker.  This drop is
provided as a service to our hiker-guests and other hikers on the trail and
neither the Warner Springs Ranch, nor any of its employees assume or accept
any liability for theft, damages or any other circumstances that might
befall these packages and/or their contents.

Best regards to all hikers on the trail.  I hope that Patti gets her tent
back.

Jim Stilwell
General Manager