[pct-l] Oprah and low snow provide a record year?

[Craig Giffen]

Er, maybe you should read the book first before callously dismissing a fellow PCT hiker "some lost prostitute".

I am all for more PCT hikers, as time goes on there are going to be more and more threats to the PCT of real consequence:  be it our fellow humans who ride on two wheels at high speeds, wield a chainsaw, or drive a bulldozer.  Whining about the spirit of the trail being lost due to pot smokers, cell phones, internet resources, or self promoting hikers is a personal issue and missing the bigger picture. 

Sure, I would like it if the PCT was still relatively unknown with only a handful of people hiking it...but I know that also isn't practical in the long term as long as our population keeps increasing.

-Craig

p.s. Besides, everyone knows the REAL spirit of the PCT was lost when hikers stopped using hobnail boots, cast-iron frying pans, and 8 pound sleeping bags:
http://pcttrailway.pctplanner.com/pg054.html




> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:20:12 -0400
> From: "vike norseman" <valhalla at greenmail.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Oprah and low snow provide a record year?
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <20130321142013.189160 at gmx.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> I keep hearing of Oprah's book about some lost prostitute on the PCT. Is it really a good book or just because its Oprah? Like the PCT needs more books of self agrandizing. We have enough through hikers who are annoyingly self promoters and peddling something. The spirit of the trail is lost when we follow. Will this novelty, like Bill Brysons book for the AT, coupled with a likely low snow year make 2013 a record year for thru-hikers attempted? I see the kickoff registration closed in 1 day as well. Any other indicators, like more than normal jounals?