[pct-l] April Kickoff and Gear Fair

[Bighummel at aol.com (Bighummel@aol.com)]

THE purpose of the ADZ is to host aspiring thru and section hikers, entertain 
them a bit, feed them, and educate them on the mental and physical aspects of 
the trail.  Vendors are VERY selectively invited to show off their very 
specifically focused long distance or ultralight innovative gear.  The requests by 
vendors to exhibit at the ADZ has grown and grown and now HAS to be limited in 
order to maintain the focus and purpose of the event.  There are other gear 
swapping events at A16 and other outdoor related organizations periodically, as 
well as, ebay.  

The organizers of the kickoff respectfully request that this not become a 
backpacking gear trading, selling, faire.   If you have gear that you wish to 
contribute to the homemade gear contest or silent auction to benefit the things 
that the ADZ does, we would gladly accept such.  If you have gear that you wish 
to donate to a "hiker box" then bring it on.  

Aspiring thru and section hikers are assumed to have exhaustively researched, 
sought out and purchased all of their gear before they step their first step 
upon the trail.  Thus attempting to sell gear to them at the kickoff will not 
be productive.

This event is about those who aspire to hike the trail, NOT those who attend 
for the fun of the gathering (eventhough it is fun for all!).  All of you who 
wish to come to the kickoff that are not attempting to hike the trail in '05, 
please recognize that we softly request that you respect our guests and treat 
them as such, and act accordingly as part of the greater host.

Sincerely with my wide brimmed hat in hand,

Greg "Strider" Hummel
ADZPCTKO Coordinator

In a message dated 12/14/2004 11:13:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
Hiker97@aol.com writes:
I was wondering if anyone thought it would be a good idea to allow selling, 
trading, and bartering of used gear at the Kickoff?  I know EVERYONE has gear 
they would like to get rid of.  Then I could buy some new stuff from the 
Kickoff vendors.  Ha, ha.  It never ends.  But the we must abide by whatever the 
organizers say is allowed.  It is their show.

Thanks, Switchback