[pct-l] women & hitching

[yogilists at hotmail.com (yogi yogi)]

I would not recommend hitching alone.  It's that whole common sense thing 
plus everything your mom told you about strangers.

Here's the thing:  long-distance hikers pretty much HAVE to hitch 
occasionally.  But you don't HAVE to hitch alone.  On the PCT everyone goes 
into the same towns.  Unless you want to hike alone, you will be with trail 
buddies who also need to get to the same town you're going to.  The boys 
will want to hitch with you, because you're a small blond female and they 
say we girls get rides easier.

Also, I've had many hitches tell me that they picked up me and my friend or 
friends because 2 or 3 people with backpacks look like they need help.  That 
we clearly have a destination and we're not simply thumbing around the 
country.  They say we're less threatening because of that.  So maybe 2 
people get picked up easier than 1 person.  Who knows for sure.

Use your best judgement.  If a car stops and it doesn't feel right, thank 
them for the ride, and say "oh damn, I left my camera back on the trail at 
my last stop."  And don't get in the car.

I do know one couple who completed a PCT thru-hike without ever hitching.

yogi

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