[pct-l] Big PCT Sections I and J Expedition

[cactus_paul at earthlink.net (Paul)]

It is comforting to hear this explanation and to know how this site was
selected.  I certainly appreciate any effort to see that the event will be
held in a secular manner.

I have direct knowledge of this organization, but that is not for this list
and I will contact you directly.

I don't agree with your assessment of why they want you to send your money
to a bank in Sri Lanka, but that shouldn't be part of this list either.

cactus_paul is an email address for:
Paul E. Dietrich AKA The PEDestrian
10833 Folsom Blvd., #224
Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670
916-635-5894

I support ALDHA and what it is doing for the long distance hiking community.
I just won't be staying at this facility.

The PEDestrian

P.S.  I wouldn't support holding these events at any non-secular facility.
Not even the Y.

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Hough [mailto:nowhere_man97@hotmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 2:48 PM
To: cactus_paul@earthlink.net; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Cc: bighummel@aol.com
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Big PCT Sections I and J Expedition

Hi,

Paul writes:

"This is really too bad.  Sierra Pines is a Christian fanatic site.  They 
want you to send your donations to a bank in Sri Lanka.  They won't get a 
penny directly from me.  I can only hope they will allow me across their 
threshold so I can participate with other hikers. I hope in the future we 
can have gatherings that are at more secular and inclusive locations"

................

As a board member of ALDHA I have been working with Sierra Pines on site 
logistics for the 2005 gathering.  And we have also had another person with 
ALDHA West visit their facilities. They are a camp whose main mission is to 
provide summer programs for children.  Like many such camps they are a 
church or faith based organization.  However, in making arrangements for the

gathering no one at Sierra Pines has been a "fanatic" nor have they sought 
to exclude anyone.  Like many non-religious organizations they have urged 
individuals to contribute to the Tsunami relief effort through their 
website. They do not seek to handle those donations themselves, preferring 
it be directed to the area affected.  They have not solicited ALDHA West for

any such donations nor do they intend to solicit directly from gathering 
attendees.  The use of Sierra Pines for the ALDHA West Gathering is open to 
all.  Sierra Pines has put no restrictions or exclusions or conditions on 
who can attend.  The gathering itself will be conducted in a "secular" 
manner, no different than our use of the YMCA camp (also a religious 
organization) at Lake Wenatchee in recent years.

I do not know "Cactus Paul" - I am supposing that he has simply looked at 
the Sierra Pines website and formed his opinion from that.  However, if he 
has any actual direct experience, positive or negative, with Sierra Pines I 
would encourage him to contact me directly, off list so that we can address 
it appropriately beforehand with the host site.


Phil Hough aka "nowhere man"
nowhere_man97@hotmail.com




>From: "Paul" <cactus_paul@earthlink.net>
>To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
>CC: <nowhere_man97@hotmail.com>,<bighummel@aol.com>
>Subject: RE: [pct-l] Big PCT Sections I and J Expedition
>Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 10:08:03 -0800
>
>This is really too bad.  Sierra Pines is a Christian fanatic site.  They
>want you to send your donations to a bank in Sri Lanka.  They won't get a
>penny directly from me.  I can only hope they will allow me across their
>threshold so I can participate with other hikers.
>
>I hope in the future we can have gatherings that are at more secular and
>inclusive locations.
>
>The PEDestrian
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
>[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Bob Bankhead
>Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 9:14 AM
>To: Cathy; Hiker97@aol.com
>Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Big PCT Sections I and J Expedition
>
>2004 Gathering fee was $84 for advance reservations including 2 night's
>lodging and all meals; $92 after Sept 18 or at the door.
>
>Single days were $42 advance or $46 after 9/18.
>
>Wandering Bob
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>
>Hi can you give me the exact dates of this hike and do you know the cost of
>the gathering?       Ground Pounder Bill
>
>
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