[pct-l] Disrespect of the PCT

[Kev]

On this, remember that there exists the "Outrage Generator" effect of web /
social media today that tends to quickly propagate news of bad bahavior.
If some clowns trashed the restroom at Warner Springs ten years ago, we'd
only have heard about it later, in passing, MAYBE. Does anyone else
remember that the bear boxes at Kearsarge Lakes were removed because too
many LD hikers were using them as resupply caches / trash dropoffs?
But now, with smart phones and increased trail traffic, stories get out
immediately, spread quickly, and though none of us are pleased to hear
them, I'm not certain that the bad behavior is new to the younger
generation.  Though anecdotal, the long-view observations from Hiker Heaven
are worth considering.
For the other issues, (trash, water caching, traffic, and whatever else),
it'll work out, as self-policing gets better, maybe fewer TA's caching or
hosting.  Sure - for the next few years the trail will see a 'Wild' effect,
just as AT traffic bumped in the years after Bill Bryson's book published.
We'll hear stories more and more often. Maybe some of it is new, but bad
behavior has always been with us, though not reported so efficiently.

Kevin Corcoran
PCTA Trail Volunteer, Reg 1 Sec E
"Section E rocks!!"

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 11:25:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rachel Dysart <rachel_dysart at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Disrespect of the PCT
To: PCT LIST <pct-l at backcountry.net>
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        <1401301518.56595.YahooMailNeo at web161504.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
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Hello,
I've been reading this list several years now and I've seen some great
advice and support. ?I've also seen a trend amongst a few that I find
upsetting. ?As a trained scientist I like to look at all the information
and consonantly question and reexamine.
As a reliable source of information, I would like to mention a post made by
the Hiker Heaven trail angels, the Saufley's, on the Class of 2014
Facebook. ?She basically said of the 700 people they have had with them
that everyone has been kind, gracious and completely the opposite of the
self-entitled rhetoric that has been spreading in the PCT community. ?This
is from someone who is spending real time with the people who are walking
the PCT and I find her data and experience to be reliable. ?Her words were
kind and encouraging of the current PCT walkers.
I've seen the negative rhetoric on this mailing list. ?I think a discrete
amount of poor behavior has been generalized to a population of people who
are in general kind, appreciative and extremely thankful for their
experience of walking the PCT. ?I believe this community has over the years
demonstrated it's good about self-regulating and self-correcting. ?I
believe that the PCTA will continue advocating for the trail while
educating the walkers on all aspects of safe trail behavior. ?If you have
solutions or ideas, share with the PCTA.
Generalizations against a population can be dangerous. ?People use
generalizations to justify many kind of "isms" that end up doing more harm
than good. ?In the past I've seen "isms" here on this list justify calling
women hikers "wh*res" and various other inflammatory things to discourage
women. ?My experiences have taught me how to ignore the negativity but I do
fear a new person to this group may be extremely discouraged.
If you are new to this group, I want to assure you that in general people
on this list are kind, helpful, encouraging, wise and compassionate. ?No
matter what you do, there will always be elitism and discouraging voices.
?Ignore them, learn as much as you can, have fun, LNT and keep on walking.
de kf6ycb
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