[pct-l] Let's pull it together people...

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

In an attempt to address the issue Donna raised, instead of debating the
validity of the issue itself, here's an agenda for discussion (yeah, I
do WAY too many meetings....)

Issue:		Alarming increase in the number of thru hikers
concentrated in a wave.

Impacts:	Adverse destructive impacts of The Trail itself.
		Overwhelming Trail Angel Resources (Hostel/water
caches).
		Overwhelming trail town services.

Causes:	Narrow window of thru-hike start dates.
		Concentration of thru-hike starts based on ADZ.
		Coalescing thru-hikers along trail due to resources
(Hostel/cache/trail town).

Remedies:	(Open for discussion, but possibilities may be:)
		Organized staggering of start dates based upon
anticipated hiker's mileage/strength/experience.
		Alternative (yet in addition to) gathering to
disseminate info on trail conditions.
		Organized effort to minimize overwhelming trail
resources.


If I read Donna correctly, these are the core issues/impacts she's
trying to address. Does this cover it Donna?
Thru Hikers- Don't be too quick to discount the ideas and suggestions of
non-thru-hikers. You may be surprised at the organizational capabilities
of some of us behind our computer screens.

That said, allow me to initiate the discussion:

It's been said that the number of thru hikers has increased year to
year. I think we all can agree with that.
The reason appears to be the growing popularity of the PCT as a result
of increased media exposure. It's also been said to be easier to
thru-hike the PCT due to the help of trail angels, water caches, more
"hiker friendly" trail towns, and (IMO) more sophisticated gear systems.
I think the class of 77 would agree to that.
More to Donna's point, starting a large portion of thru-hikers out at
one date, ostensibly because of ADZ attendance, creates an initial
concentration that takes longer to thin out. The net result is heavier
and heavier pressure on The Trail and trail resources each passing year.
This, I think, is the essence of Donna's concern.

I don't believe it's out of the question to ASK each thru-hiker class to
consider this looming problem and voluntarily organize staggered start
dates within their ranks. I've heard that walking along with a hindered
people around you for a month isn't the epitome of the PCT experience...
Perhaps strong hikers could later, only to catch up near KM? Perhaps
those who don't expect (or want) to start out with 20 mile days can
start early and build up to the 20 miles by the time they get to KM? And
the rest of those who fall in between, well, start in between!

As for ADZ attendance, perhaps a NEW trail angel category of
transportation to and from where a thru-hiker is when ADZ begins to
Morena Res. I had the distinct pleasure of providing a ride to two
thru-hikers back to Idyllwild from ADZ last Sunday. I met two
extraordinary people who I'll now be rooting for as I follow their
progress north.

And...Perhaps there is some way trail condition information can be made
available at additional points along the trail. Maybe not an ADZ event
scale gathering, but perhaps "bulletin board" type of gathering to
provide a means of allowing thru-hikers to communicate amongst each
other and share info about the trail ahead of those at the rear of the
herd...

All just off-the-top-of-my-head ideas. Your contributions expected.


Michael Saenz, Associate Partner
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