[pct-l] Why I Boycotted the ADZPCTKO . . .

[rmoak at fallingwater.com (Ronald Moak)]

Perhaps now isn't the best time to be replying to this topic, since I'm
working on an hours rest after a 24 hour drive home from this weekend's
event. Still I think it's important.

First let me say I have an infinite respect for Donna and Jeff and their
contribution to the PCT hiker community. I deeply missed the opportunity of
getting to see them again this year to thank them personally. 

Second, I whole heartily disagree with Scott's comment "The ADZ is not about
'the trail'; it's about the ADZ, for the sake of the ADZ." Like Donna and
others associated with the trail, Greg, Carl and the ADZ gang of organizers
put their heart and soul into putting on this event for the benefit of
thru-hikers past, present and future. 

I went so far as to give Greg a new trail name Saturday Night of DreamMaker
because of his work in helping hikers to both realize and fulfill their
dreams. While he may laugh off the new moniker, it's necessary to understand
both the important and different roles people involved in the trail
community play. 

In many ways the PCTA forms the bones of the trail by coordinating the
development and maintenance of the trail. Trail Angels provide comfort
support and encouragement often at times when it's needed the most. In many
ways the ADZ reflect the soul of the trail. It's the linkage between past
and future generations. Anyone attending this last one is keenly aware of
its ability to inspire new hikers and help dull the ache of anther year
spent behind a desk by a past hiker.

As to the timing of the event, I doubt there is any time that would satisfy
all parties. Even the upcoming Damascus Trail Days on the AT which is held
500 miles up the trail from it start has it share problems, as anyone who's
attended one will attest. 

Unfortunately the organizers, attendees, presenters, vendors, park
officials, and local community requires months of careful preparation in
order to pull this off without a hitch. This is done well before the seasons
weather patterns have been fully established. 

Moving the event to another time or place along the trail must also be
planned well in advance of when the season's weather patterns are known. 

Nor is it clear that a move would significantly reduce hiker bunching along
the trail. In fact hikers in Damascus frequently stay a week or more at that
event, often arriving days in advance. This behavior could have negative
effects on the smaller trail towns along the PCT, possibly causing adverse
reactions between hikers and locals. 

At least with the current approach, hikers get to stretch out relatively
naturally as hikers travel at different pace. I would expect that as the
event matures, better mechanisms will come into play to make it easier for
hikers who have traveled further along in their journey to attend then
quickly return to their walk upon completion. 

Bringing together a variety of hikers at different stages allows an
excellent opportunity for hikers just starting out to adjust their gear or
hiking strategies to current conditions. It's not enough to simply look at a
weather report or snow depth gauge. There's nothing like hands on knowledge
directly from people going through what you are.

Fallingwater