[pct-l] Can we please keep this positive?

[donasper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Don Asper)]

Dear Judith
Granny and I thru hiked the AT in 2000. We found a very small percentage of
hikers on the trail who were abrasive in one sense or another. Our plan was
to immediately distance ourselves from anyone that we felt threatened by. It
worked.

The overwhelming majority of those on the trail are great folks and very
enjoyable to be around. Many of those becomes lifetime friends.

It surprised me but there were many solo female hikers on the trail and
their experiences were pretty good for the most part.

It was a tremendous spiritual experience for us. We are born-again
Christians and our desire is to be a good testimony out there. We will not
impose our beliefs on anyone who chooses to believe otherwise.

Be especially careful near road crossings. If you are uncomfortable with
people any time you stop, make an excuse and immediately move on.

Hope to see you on the PCT. We plan to start at Campo about May 1st.

Pappy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Judith Gustafson" <jgus@sunbow.org>
To: <PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2003 10:32 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Can we please keep this positive?


> I am feeling saddened and violated by the recent posts that express
> religious bigotry and political hatred.  I am preparing to travel the PCT
> this summer and I rely on this "list community" for advice and
> encouragement.  The list has been an inspiring and uplifting experience
for
> the most part.  Now I feel personally threatened by the anger,
intolerance,
> and insensitivity that has recently been injected into the discussions.  I
> implore those responsible to please get a grip and remember what this is
> really all about. If this list degenerates into a forum for extreme and
> violent expressions of hatred, I will sadly be forced to unsubscribe, and
I
> will certainly dread meeting up with these haters on the trail.  It's hard
> enough to be a solo female hiker without wondering if fellow PCTers are
> going to be acting out their bigotry and hatred on the trail.
>
> Judith Gustafson
>
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