[pct-l] Yogi's guidebook

[ronaldgstrickland at hotmail.com (Ronald Strickland)]

2-18-05

Dear thru-hikers,

I am posting today in defense of Yogi and her guidebook.

I wrote and published two editions (1983 and 2001) of The Pacific Northwest 
Trail Guide.  And I have read and owned many, many guidebooks.  The 
tradition is that individuals and trail clubs write and publish the world's 
guidebooks for profit.  Whiners who don't want to pay are certainly not 
required to have any particular guidebook.

Last year I completed the PCT after four years of section hikes.  Often the 
PCT List was quite useful.  I remember how delighted I was to learn the 
address of the Middleton's, for example.  And saddened recently to hear that 
the beloved Pink Motel is no more.

But too often the PCT List is unnecessarily aggravating.  This petty attack 
on Yogi is particularly galling and contrary to the true spirit of our 
sport.  The beauty of thru-hiking is in its communion with Nature and in its 
opportunity for making lifelong friends.  The PCT is a world-class resource 
that enables us to forget the cares of ordinary life as we experience a 
truly grand adventure.

Happy trails,

Ron "Pathfinder" Strickland, PCT 2004
La Jolla, CA
www.sea2seatrail.org