[pct-l] Trail Myopia

[Brick Robbins <brick@fastpack.com>]

The recent discussion on stoves and why they may or may not be appropriate 
exemplified a common problem with advice about the PCT.

One poster focused on restrictions in So-Cal, quoting some regulations that 
only affect certain sections of the So-Cal trail (fires yellow posts, etc) 
and then wrote as if these regulations applied to the whole trail, when in 
fact, they apply to at most a few hundred miles. Another quoted altitude 
restrictions on fires, but that only applies to a small (but heavily 
used)section of the Sierra.

My point is that many of us tend to think of the trail in relation to the 
sections we know the best. Either those close to home, or those we have 
section hiked, or those areas, like the JMT, that we love the most.

My advice to prospective thru-hikers is to remember that 2665 miles is a 
long,long way and the vast majority of the trail is neither over regulated, 
nor over used.

It's hard to keep track of what regulations apply where (i.e.: dogs are 
forbidden in Anza-Borego state park, but ARE allowed on the "dog trail" in 
Castle Crags state park, etc.) so just keep a low profile and leave as 
little impact as you can in the high use areas, which usually correspond 
with the highly regulated areas: National and State Parks. The rest of the 
trail could probably stand MORE use just to keep the tread clear.

-Brick

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