[pct-l] Re: PCT Hiker Charter Inquiry

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

Here's some more info on the possibility of using Green Tortoise as a means of moving a group of hikers up to the northern terminus if needed.   At a hypothetical $1,200 per day, for three days, for 35 hikers, it would come out in the ball park of $102 per head to get to Canada (this is a VERY loose estimate based on the numbers provided).  The advantage seems to be the comfort and comraderie that the GT coaches would afford (check out the link).

www.greentortoise.com/sleeper.coaches.html

Anyway, we'll just see what happens.  I am hoping for all of you who have their hearts set on a continous north-bound hike this year that this is all unnecessary contingency information . . . 

-=Donna Saufley=-

-----Original Message-----
From: dsaufley@sprynet.com
Sent: Mar 26, 2005 5:42 PM
To: dave bale <gtdriverdave@yahoo.com>
Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Re: PCT Hiker Charter Inquiry

Dave,

Thank you very much for sharing this information -- it's much appreciated, especially given the vague information I gave you to work work with!  

We will probably wind up with a two- or three-week window before the departure date.  Some hikers, too, have suggested that Tehachapi might be a better pick-up spot (which would be fewed "dead" miles as you've described).  

The bulk of the northbound group of hikers typically gets here in late May.  By the time they get here, we'll with greater certainty what the Sierra snow pack is going to be like, and whether they're going to hike on or skip to Canada or elsewhere north.  I will contact you when I have more concrete information, so that we can see if a Green Tortoise trip may be possible for those so inclined.  While Greyhound and Amtrak are alternatives, I believe a Green Tortoise trip will make it a memorable part of the adventure, and would certainly be my preference given the choice.  
 
We'll see what the weather brings -- thanks again for taking the time to respond.

-=Donna Saufley=-


-----Original Message-----
From: dave bale <gtdriverdave@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mar 25, 2005 9:15 PM
To: dsaufley@sprynet.com
Subject: Re: PCT Hiker Charter Inquiry

Hi Donna,

I'll try to answer your questions as best I can:

Charter need to be arranged as far ahead as possible.  But we have also done charters at the last
minute.  The earlier the better, because we not only have limited buses, but limited drivers.  We
have had to turn down charters because we just couldn't find a driver.

We have no minimum passenger number, and our buses hold between 34-38 passengers, depending on
which bus.

The fare can range too much to give you a definite quote.  Also, this depends on how fast you need
to get there, and how many drivers we have available.  With one driver (which is of course
cheaper) we can only travel so far on a given day, and need to camp/hostel/motel/hotel at night. 
With two drivers, we can practically drive non-stop.
That said, as a general rule our buses cost either (1) $2.50 per live mile (with passengers) +
$1.00 per "deadhead mile" (that is, to get the empty bus from San Francisco to the starting point
and back from the ending point), or (2) about $800-$1200 per day (which depends a great deal on
season, number of drivers, and mileage, and is charged regardless of whether or not the bus is
moving each day), whichever is greater.

I usually don't like to give out these numbers without actual dates and specific itinerary, but
this will let you know if you're in the ballpark.  We get many calls from people who have no idea
how much it costs to run a bus.  The above is for the bus, fuel, and driver(s).

You probably know what makes the GT so much different (and better) than our competition: primarily
our great interior layout, and the ability to cook meals along the way.

The route can be anything you like.

Dave@GT

--- by way of Green Tortoise Adventure Travel <dsaufley@sprynet.com> wrote:

> Greetings!
> 
> My name is Donna Saufley and my husband Jeff and I are hosts on the 
> Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), in Agua Dulce, California.  We put up 
> hikers and offer a myriad of support services to them, at no charge. 
> We average 250+/- hikers a season, which for our sections of the PCT 
> (D & E) thru-hiking season falls in May and June.
> 
> There has been a tremendous amount of speculation about the snow pack 
> in the Sierras this year, and many who have planned their hike this 
> year are somewhat doubtful that a contiguous hike from the Mexican 
> border north to Canada is going to be possible.  Some are planning to 
> go the opposite way (southbound), but many are considering a 
> "flip-flop", hiking north until (and if)  the snow stops them and 
> then jumping up to the northern terminus and going south, giving time 
> for the Sierra snow to melt.  They may decide to flip around to other 
> points north, as well.
> 
> Right now it's anybody's guess what will happen with regard to 
> additional snowfall and the speed of the snow melt-off.  Only time 
> will tell.  So, most of the hikers who start heading north this year 
> really won't know for sure until later on in the season, but are 
> forming contingency plans now.  What's being discussed on a PCT email 
> post group is coordinating transportation resources for those who opt 
> to jump north, and Green Tortoise has been brought up a a 
> possibility.  If a critical mass of hikers decides they want to 
> flip-flop, arrangements can be made from our hostel.
> 
> Can you provide me with some general information on what you offer, 
> specifically:
> 
> *     How far in advance does a charter need to be arranged?
> *     What are the group size minimums and maximums?
> *     What could fares potentially range from for a Kennedy Meadows 
> pick-up (the southeastern Sierra Kennedy
>         Meadows) and a Manning Park, Canada drop off?  This I suspect 
> would be a mufti-day journey.
> *     Would it also be possible for some hikers, who wish to get 
> dropped off elsewhere, say perhaps in southern
>         Oregon, to do so?
> 
> Thank you very much for taking the time to provide me with this information.
> 
> -=Donna Saufley=-
> Hiker Heaven, Agua Dulce, CA
> 661.268.1235
> 



		
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