[pct-l] Switchback's Trail Etiquette

[C]

Can the PCT change someone character?

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 8, 2013, at 7:22 PM, Melanie Clarke <melaniekclarke at gmail.com> wrote:

> The only thing I can add is, that this quote is from the Dalai Lama.
> *
> *
> *Watch your thoughts, they become your WORDS
> Watch your words, they become your ACTIONS
> Watch your actions, they become your HABITS
> Watch your habits, they become your CHARACTER
> Watch your character, it is your DESTINY*
> 
> Toga
> 
> On Fri, Feb 8, 2013 at 11:44 AM, Gary Minetti <gary.minetti at gmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> At last year's Kick Off  a 8.5 x 11 sheet of laminated paper was duct
>> taped - blue duct tape - to the cinder block wall in the men's bathroom.  I
>> really liked what it said and took a picture.   I hope Switchback, who I
>> did not have the opportunity to meet, won't mind my posting his words,
>> which summarize nicely how not to be an a__ on the trail.  They read as
>> follows:
>> 
>> TRAIL ETIQUETTE
>> 
>> Switchback the Trail Pirate offers the following words of wisdom.
>> 
>> Be a good ambassador for the hiking community.
>> 
>> Respect other people and their property.
>> Say "thank you" and "please".
>> Offer to pay for services/help - don't expect Trail Angel Support, but
>> appreciate it.
>> Leave things better than you found them.
>> "Take only pictures and leave only footprints".
>> Try to have the "Leave No Trace" philosophy.
>> Don't think the world revolves around your trail problems.
>> Try to have a "stealth" persona.  Don't be noisy and seek attention.
>> Pick up trash along the trail and in camp.
>> Be supportive of other hikers and encourage them.  Be a good role model.
>> Shut gates and don't bother domestic animals.  Respect property everywhere.
>> Trail graffiti and vandalizing trail registers are not things responsible
>> hikers do.
>> Don't tolerate bad conduct on the trail or in town.
>> Politely remind people their conduct may be out of line.
>> 
>> We want to be welcome everywhere along the trail.
>> We want to have a great reputation in the trail community - people look up
>> to us as the best of the best.
>> 
>> Watch your thoughts, they become your WORDS
>> Watch your words, they become your ACTIONS
>> Watch your actions, they become your HABITS
>> Watch your habits, they become your CHARACTER
>> Watch your character, it is your DESTINY
>> 
>> Thanks, Switchback.
>> Gman
>> Class of 2012
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Feb 6, 2013, at 10:12 PM, Paul Mitchell wrote:
>> 
>>> So, I was thinking that with ever increasing numbers hitting the trail at
>>> Campo that it might be a good idea for us to assemble something of a
>> little
>>> guide pamphlet on how to not be an ass on the PCT.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Examples of points might include:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> * Don't wash your feet and socks in the fire-water tanks we use as water
>>> sources. (Yes, someone has seen another PCT hiker do that)
>>> 
>>> * Remember that in towns you're an ambassador for the entire PCT
>> community,
>>> being rude to a hotel owner gives us all a bad name.
>>> 
>>> * Don't scratch big messages for hiker-friends in the sand, it's nice for
>>> the intended recipient but a wilderness-disrupting eye-sore for many
>> others
>>> (ahem, personally guilty of this one).  Likewise, don't hike with your
>>> trekking poles hanging beside you scratching long lines on either side of
>>> the sandy trail.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I haven't been on the trail in a few years and I know there were some
>>> examples of things I was baffled to see other hikers doing that I now
>> can't
>>> quite recall, but if everyone here chips in on their points, perhaps we
>> can
>>> put a definitive list together.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Perhaps it can be a little more positively framed than my examples too, a
>>> bit more humorous & focused on positive reinforcement.  Once it's
>> assembled
>>> we could have it printed and available at kick-off.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Thoughts?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> - Potential178
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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