[pct-l] Posting names

[jape1 at cox.net]

So, how does a family member, friend, concerned citizen go about ascertaining the safety of an overdue hiker, before the situation goes bad?  

For example, a couple of weeks ago, I had reason to believe that two hikers I'd transported to the border were hiking up onto the desert divide into the oncoming snowstorm that hit that week.  I posted a note a day after they were overdue, asking to if anyone had seen them safe.  For that I was scolded.  

No huhu, it's their hike not mine.  And, as it turns out, they'd decided to bypass the dangerous section so no harm was done.  But, had someone read my request, and were able to confirm that they' had begun the climb, and that no one had seen them come down, then at least those in the area might be keeping their eyes peeled,, and possibly notifying the rangers to effect a search.  

The security of anonymity is a hell of a tradeoff when one is lying at the bottom of an ice chute with a broken bone, or running out of food having made the wrong turn in a snowstorm.  

eckert 
<g> this ought to stimulate a touch of discussion


---- Amanda L Silvestri <aslive at sbcglobal.net> wrote: 
> Tortoise is absolutely right (my bad).  We should not mention the name and location of any hikers we see on the trail without first obtaining their permission.  There are several good reasons for this, including their safety.  It is early in the season and I  was excited and forgot this basic rule.  I hope that no bad comes of it and I hope that this reminder to the group will help prevent a repeat of my mistake.
>