[pct-l] Hosting

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

Some thoughts on this from my experience.  I gave a lecture on the "hosting" topic last year at Trail Fest.

The #1 thing is learn how to screen hikers.  I've found that a few simple questions (and my knowing the range of acceptable answers), such as when did you start your hike?  Where did you hike from today?  What did you think of _______?  (in my case, this is usually a question about the last stop before getting to our place).  The answers to these questions will give you a good idea of whether the hiker is legitimately hiking the trail or parts of it.  Also, learn what a hiker smells and looks like in your area.  They might look and smell cleaner up north, or if there's a town stop before they get to you,  than they do dragging in from the heat of the desert!  Clues like, are there pack stains on their shirts?  How worn do they/their equipment look?  If you're not already aware of these finer details, become so.  Also, ask the hikers who are coming in who is behind them that they know of -- who's out there?  Generally, the hikers themselves are the best reference for the legitimacy of other hikers.  Be cautious of someone no other hiker seems to know.  My apologies to all for screening you surreptitiously in this way!  

Have a plan on how to control the incoming hikers and who comes to your home.  In other words, you don't want well-meaning people in your community dropping off derelict homeless people who are masquerading as hikers (this almost happened to us once) because they don't know how to spot/screen a real hiker.  I've found posting the address and directions to our home at the ranger station/water source up in the mountains before getting to our home works well.  No one except hikers ever stop for water where this information is posted.  I would NOT post this information where the general population could find it -- you'd be inviting trouble. 

Now, once you've ascertained that you're hosting bonafide hikers, you'll need to determine what your brand and flavor of hosting will be.  Our hosting has evolved over time, as I have learned what hikers need and want, and how best I can meet those needs.  Start simple, and go from there as you find what fits you and your home/neighborhood/lifestyle.

Talk to ALL of your neighbors that might be affected by the hikers' presence.  Explain to them who the hikers are, what they're doing, and why they're at your place.  Also, check with them along the way to make sure that none of the activities going on at your home are having a negative impact on them.  One neighbor complaining to your local authorities could shut your hosting down.  

While there's nothing wrong with having a "work-for-stay" or "pay-for-stay" arrangement, be careful that it doesn't appear to the local authorities that you are running what might be an illegal business requiring permits.  You probably don't want the County Health and Safety folks coming out to see you, making demands or citing you. 

My personal advice is to be VERY careful when setting down rules -- because now you've set something up you have to ENFORCE.  Now, instead of enjoying the experience, you're playing policeman.  Maybe that's okay with you (some people love that role -- I personally do not).  

At Hiker Heaven, there are no posted or verbal rules.  I've found that the community polices itself.  We have an advantage, however, because the hikers have their own space and are not in my home/sanctuary using our bathroom.  I would probably have rules for hikers if they were in my house.  I don't even let my husband use my bathroom! 

After eight years of hosting (this year will be our ninth), and serving over 1500 hikers (averaging 225-250 per season), we have NEVER had a problem or had to kick someone out.  Yes, some have really annoyed me.  Yes, I've been happy to see a few go on their way.  On two occasions we've had hikers so high on something serious that we could have kicked them out or called the police.  On both occasions, we felt it better to keep the individuals at our place until they came down from whatever it was, rather than turning them loose on the community and hurting the image of all hikers -- or from having someone both high and angry out there potentially retaliating toward us or other hikers.  So far, this policy has worked well.  But I will not hesitate to either kick someone out, or call the authorities, if I perceive the need.  Thank God, this has not happpened (yet).

Although I do not have rules posted, I do have instructive guidance posted on how to do things and get places.  The written guidance saves me having to repeat the same information 250 times a season.  

And, last but not least, whatever you decide to do, make sure your plumbing can handle it. 

-=Donna Saufley=-
Agua Dulce Hiker Heaven

-----Original Message-----
From: Trekker4@aol.com
Sent: Feb 24, 2005 9:03 AM
To: dpbraunstein@hotmail.com, pct-l@backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hosting

DP,
I'll just give you a few things that come to mind:
1. Decide what's the maximum # of hikers you can hold, inside and/or  outside.
2. Decide exactly what you're going to offer, ie: beds, floor space, tent  
space, a shower, washer & dryer; in town rides, shuttles to/fm the PCT,  maximum 
# of nights a given hiker will stay, etc.
3. Do you have a job? If so, that will interfere or influence everything in  
this post; in other words, are you willing to leave your house open without 
you  there, allowing grubby strangers to have the run of your house. Think about 
your  neighbors and/or your landlord or lady. Will they put up with it? If 
you don't  own your place, something like this you'd better at least talk to 
your owner  about; technically, he/she can't control you too much, but I wouldn't 
 risk making them angry. If you live in a regular neighborhood, your  
neighbors make be upset if a bunch of tents suddenly show up in your yard, or if  
your formerly quiet place gets noisier. 
4. Get everything written down and think about it; get your ground rules in  
writing; get everything little in writing, ie if you furnish a washer &  
dryer, are you going to furnish detergent? Do you have a clothesline  only or a 
dryer? These little things need to be in writing. 
5. You'll have to get a flyer out, for this year especially; it's too late  
to get into Yogi's book, and she'll probably wait for feedback from this year's 
 hikers, before giving you her triple crown seal of approval (there's one 
place,  for instance, she hasn't - and if you don't make Yogi's book, you ain't  
s__t!) On the flyer you'll need your name, address, phone number(s), email  
addy, website url (if any), etc, along with enough of a map (get a free one off  
the Inet, that shows street names) to make finding your place easy. If you  
live out of town, or a long ways from the businesses hikers need, that'll be a  
negative factor - ie they may not want to walk 3 miles to your place, when 
they  can split a motel in the center of town near the PO for $15.
6. The hikers, if you get established and blessed, will come in droves  for 
about a month; then they'll mostly go away for 11 months. Will you have  
withdrawal pains, like the Saufley's?
7. You've only got 2.5 months to get ready for this year. I believe someone  
already said it, but you need to get your flyer to this year's ADZ, and 
yourself  if possible.
8. Are you going to ask for, or accept donations?  Do you want hikers  
drinking inside or outside of your house? What are you going to do if a  hiker needs 
to be booted out? You'll have to be in charge and in control,  because there 
is always that 10% of the public; maybe only 1% of long distance  hikers abuse 
their privileges (I don't know), but you need to think about  it.
9. I'm sure I've overlooked things to think about and do.  
 
Bob 
Big  Bend Desert Denizen
(Naturalized Citizen, Republic of  Texas)
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