[pct-l] Posting names

Wed May 4 19:34:49 CDT 2011

I really enjoy technology but I am torn on this issue. 

First off, I totally agree with you. I do Internet/Information Security for my livelihood. Part of that is to explain the risks in certain technologies and their use or misuse. Multiple times I have been called upon to discuss the likes of Facebook, mySpace, LinkedIn, etc.  I was asked that question at KO last weekend in the campsite (sorry about the 15 minute response to those who sat through it! ;-). I understand the desire on the part of some people to share but I dislike when they make that decision for me.

On the flip side, two of our closest "trail friends" are a couple who we have never hiked with and  only see once a year at the KO.  When I was looking to get reacquainted with the trail after a long absence, I turned to google and was surprised to find that the PCT was very popular now! There were public diaries of trail life and things called kick off's and trail angels!  

To provide as much perspective for my GF, I looked for a current journal, and an active journal, and where it was a couple in a committed relationship and post retirement.  I found one and we started reading it. It was probably late June and after we were caught up on entries we were HOOKED. We followed them each day and chewed our nails as days went by with no posts. We worried about them in snow storms in Wash and rejoiced when they crossed the border in Canada. Months later we met them at KO and it was wonderful.  We walked up to them and said "we're the best friends you've never met!"

Now, take the same situation and whip in a heaping pile of creapy....  (this part of what I do for a living). I could find, with the name info in the journal, their home address.  I know it will be empty (if it's not being "sat") as long as their journal is being updated. I can figure they probably have bills (maybe credit cards or bank statements) that aren't being reviewed as long as they are on the trail. 

If it was a cute girl (gotta love those journal pics) the issues go from "fiscal" to gross.  But if you are interested in your privacy to that level, you have to craft your journal. I'm not saying to not have one, but post in a manner that does not allow for prediction of your schedule to that degree. Maybe have your story someplace that allows for password protection. 

I love journals and there are a couple that I'm already following. In past years I have kept an eye on people who we have helped (personal involvement) and some because they are wonderful writers. But you can't expect other people to protect something that you do not take the initial steps to protect yourself. Don't post to the list and say "I'm kicking it in Big Bear!" or put in your journal "zero day in Cabazon" and get honked when someone says "hey, I met trailgal yesterday in cajon pass!".  Introduce yourself as "hi, I'm inserttrailnamehere! But I'm trying to fly under the radar" or "but I'm trying to stay off the grid" or something like that.  I'd be curious (unless you were really HOT ;-) and might even ask, but would accept the explanation of "I have a pocket full of uncut diamonds!" and a big grin!

I don't expect everyone to agree with me - I don't expect anyone to agree with me! ;-)

I'm just some guy...

BillB "SomeGuy"

Typoed on my iPad

On May 4, 2011, at 10:24 AM, "Donna \"L-Rod\" Saufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com> wrote:

> In "Walk", there is a scene where two guys looking for Teatree find her.  They are complete strangers to her, but they knew exactly where she would be after reading her trail journal. It didn't matter whether she was using her real name or her trail name.  
> 
> It only took one hiker telling me that she didn't want her wherabouts published online because of a stalking-related murder on the AT for me to recognize that it was not a good idea to be telling an anonymous audience where anyone was. More innocently, There are those who want to follow the hikers' progress like it was a horse race, whether the hikers know and want this or not. To be tracked and monitored from afar is a concept abhorrent to me, though from the popularity of spot-me-now devices and trail journals, I am probably in the minority. 
> 
> If hikers want to tell the world where they are, that's their choice. They can call or journal if they choose. It's not my place (and IMO anyone else's) to post in real time where someone might be found along the trail. Post about your OWN hike if you desire, but someone else's hike should not be fodder for sharing unknowingly.
> 
> There are some very different and interesting people on the trail, and many points of view. There are people running away from family, personal situations, or their own demons. I've witnessed people running away from medical treatments they didn't want, and their family searching for them to force them into receiving the unwanted care.  I don't know everyone's story, nor do I ask or assume. Despite the best intentions, sharing information about where others are could lead to unintended consequences for them. 
> 
> The trail is a place of solace and escape. Though perhaps the majority seem unconcerned about such things, I find that a blanket respect for individual privacy works best. I am probably a dying breed, a relic, a dinosaur. It is ironic that common courtesy and respect is dwindling as the ability to inform has exploded.
> 
> L-Rod
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ken Murray <kmurray at pol.net>
>> Sent: May 4, 2011 10:31 AM
>> To: "." <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Posting names
>> 
>> I personally think that this concept of anonymity and disclosure, is a carryover of our paranoia of life in civilization.
>> 
>> For example, how many of us would think it neccessary to avoid mentioning names in talking about doing something with a friend OTHER THAN ON THE TRAIL?
>> "I'm going to have lunch with my friend Nancy Marshall at Classy Goose on wed".
>> Would I go through life asking people for permission to post their names?
>> 
>> What makes this truly bizarre, is the added security of trail names...basically most people having a "code name", that no one outside of our small community is likely to know.  OFTEN gender neutral.
>> 
>> If someone is REALLY worried about keeping anonymous, THEY can SAY SO, THEY can change their trail name repeatedly, THEY can not interact with people, THEY can not sign registers with recognizable names, THEY can pay only with cash, THEY can avoid trail angels, THEY can use made up names for the mail drops, etc.  THEY can take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for their bizarre paranoia.
>> 
>> When will it occur to someone, that random pictures might catch someone's image.  Or that they did not SPECIFICALLY get permission to post an image that might be recognizable. OMG!
>> 
>> Instead, lets act like rational people, and the close-knit community of caring people that we are.
>> 
>> What world do YOU want to live in?  I know which I do.  Others can make other choices, they have that power.
>> 
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