[pct-l] Trail workers/thru-hikers

Tue Nov 2 13:25:27 CDT 2010

It's so good to hear all of your responses! I'm glad to hear that
thru-hikers do appreciate trail-workers. Like most of you said, I can't
imagine why they wouldn't, and hearing my friend's opinion really surprised
me.

I agree, one point of data is not enough. I had heard other vague references
to bad relations between the two groups before - that's why I wanted to ask
the question. But this is the only concrete example I've heard. Maybe she
just had bad luck or exaggerated.

Honestly, simply taking the time out of your busy hiking schedule to stop
and thank them for their help is VERY appreciated. I always felt a little
brighter after someone came along who was really ecstatic about the work. It
made 8 10-hour days in a row standing in one half-mile stretch digging in
the dirt a little more fun to know that the people we were doing it for
noticed it was being done. Candy is always nice though, if you want to get
rid of some weight. :P Trail workers love candy!

I'm a little more relieved knowing that I'll be hiking with such nice people
next year. Thanks everyone for your input!

On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 10:59 AM, kristen grund <waveflower45 at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
> What about making friendship bracelets or something really small and kind
> like that? i remember making those when I was a kid. Maybe make at home and
> carry a few in your pack. Use lots of colors and just knot. There are lots
> of examples online. Lighter than candy bars :) Or even just a "Thank you
> very much for helping to maintain this trail that I have been able to hike
> and live on thanks to all your hard work and efforts" That works too. :)
>
> > Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:47:19 -0700
> > From: hikelite at gmail.com
> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> > Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail workers/thru-hikers
> >
> > In response to this thread, I have a question for those who do trail
> > maintenance, on the PCT, or elsewhere.
> >
> > If I wanted to bring some token to show my appreciation, when I come
> across
> > a trail worker, what would you recommend? I was thinking a candy bar or
> > something. I usually carry some mini candy bars when I hike, so I was
> > thinking I would just try to make sure I always have a few extras with me
> to
> > hand out. Do you think that would be appreciated by a trail worker, or
> could
> > it be taken as trivializing their efforts. I want to tell them thank you
> in
> > some way that would be meaningful. The thought of handing them money
> seems
> > tacky to me. I don't want to carry something real heavy obviously, so any
> > other ideas?
> >
> > I'd also like to take this opportunity to express my deep thanks to
> everyone
> > who has helped build the PCT. Thank you!
> >
> > --
> > ~ Kevin
> > Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
> > "The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward
> Abbey
> >
> > On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 10:29 AM, <abiegen at cox.net> wrote:
> >
> > > I was surprised to see the comments about the conflict between hikers
> and
> > > trail workers. This year while hiking with Wimbledon and Carrol we came
> > > across a group of trail workers. We made sure to stop and let them know
> that
> > > we appreciated the work that they were doing. Chatted with them for
> several
> > > minutes.   I do a lot of trail work where I live - or at least used to
> do a
> > > lot before arthritis in my shoulder slowed me down - so I appreciate
> the
> > > work and know how important it is to let the workers know that their
> work is
> > > appreciated.
> > >
> > > TRASH!=JERK
> > >
> > > There are a few possibilities that I can picture:
> > >
> > > 1. If the thru-hikers were tired and the work was being done on a long
> > > uphill, they may have worn down and not been in best spirits and best
> > > behavior. Also some thru-hikers are racing against the clock. If the
> work is
> > > being done in a way that holds the hiker up and they are trying to get
> to
> > > the PO before it closes, they may not be in the best mood. Like in Real
> > > Estate - it could be about location, location, location.
> > >
> > > 2. I know that the FS standard for steps is the perfect height for
> stock -
> > > I call them horse steps. As a hiker, I feel that they are a little too
> high
> > > for hiking. I'm not that crazy about them but I wouldn't complain to a
> trail
> > > worker about them and in many cases they are better than no steps.
> Perhaps
> > > someone was not overjoyed to see more added.
> > >
> > > 3. There is the possibility that there are a few jerks out there. I
> didn't
> > > meet any but that doesn't mean that they don't exist.
> > >
> > > 4. Since the complaint came from only one person maybe it was an
> outlier
> > > where that one person had their own issues that were being projected on
> the
> > > thru-hikers.
> > >
> > > I would be interested in hearing from other trail workers. One point of
> > > data is not enough to really understand if there is a real issue or
> not. I
> > > am suspicious that this person put off all hiking on the PCT because of
> this
> > > - there must me more to it than we are hearing. You don't hear of
> someone
> > > giving up driving because there are jerks out there. Why would you give
> up
> > > something that you say you love because of a few bad apples? Very
> strange.
> > >
> > > TrailHacker
> > >
> > > "When my feet hurt, I can't think straight"
> > > Abraham Lincoln
> > >
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