[pct-l] We've got it together, people!

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

I've been trying to allow the conversation to continue without further input from me, but I have no self-control and here I go.

First off, a few things have been said that are completely true.  While this discussion is healthy and necessary, the ultimate decision rests with the organizers of the ADZ, and we all know they do a wonderful job (thus the great success of the ADZ).  I know that they are reading all that's been said, and will consider it.  The next truth is that the decision and reservations for next year have been made or are imminent; that's just the way it has to work to book a big venue.  Change sometimes takes time.  I don't know what's to come for future years, but I have faith and believe that these conversations will stay with the organizers.  They are really wonderful people who care very much, and that is the truth. 

As to the value of the party being at the border, every hiker I've met appreciates a cold beverage, food, and music, and gathering with other hikers, no matter where they are on the trail.  Weathercarrot's DVD would be no less special, or the moments less magical, if the location were different.  It isn't Lake Morena that makes it special.  It isn't even how many days into the Trail people are.  It's just being together with this unique community of people, sharing a good time and making memories that last a lifetime.  And I contend that it could happen any time, any where, and still be extremely special.   

A lot has been said about the value of the information being provided at the KO.  Miraculously, people have been hiking this Trail successfully without the benefit of being "spoon-fed" (someone else's quote) this information at the beginning for years, and many do not attend the event.  Some have proposed that the KO is causing hikers to show up ill-prepared, thinking they'll get everything they need to know at the KO. Sure, it's nice to have, but I question if it's really necessary to gather everyone together to share this information.  

For the many who are not plugged into the vast resources available on the internet or great publications widely available (like Yogi's), how about information booklets at the southern terminus that lays out all the critical information.  The booklet could include water, trail conditions, fire safety and leave no trace info, special notices and warnings, etc.  Since I'm suggesting it, I hereby volunteer to do it, if that is what the committee decides to do.  And, of course, the booklet will contain the invitation to the ADZ (up trail somewhere in a few weeks) along with ride share pick up points for getting hikers to the party.  

I think that if you position something at the beginning, and bill it as a Kick-Off, you will continue to encourage people to start around it, and create an artificial pulse.  I think the only way to eliminate the wave/pulse/tsunami is to stop doing anything that has an effect on start dates.  Leave people to their own devices, and they'll be all over the map.  Give them a target for starting, and they'll cluster around it.  Also, at Lake Morena, the attendance at this year's event has apparently reached the park's capacity.  If the ADZ continues to grow, and there's good reason to expect it would, Lake Morena is now outgrown.  The organizers are aware of this. 

So, in that light, where would I suggest?  I agree that Kennedy Meadows, while I dearly love it, could be logistically challenging for non-hikers .  So how about Tehachapi, Mojave, or Jawbone, with pick ups from points north and south?  There are many towns where hikers come down from the Sierras (Olancha, Lone, Pine, Independence, etc.) where pick ups and returns could occur.  

Anyway, far be it from me to identify a problem without having solutions, and a willingness to volunteer, at the ready.  I've spoken my mind, taken a stand (and the ensuing flack), and touched off this dialogue.  And now, it's in the capable hands of the ADZ organizers to cull through the incoming suggestions and decide.  

I appreciate all of you who have shown your support and contribute your thoughts and ideas, and who care enough to participate.  Collectively, this is a group of deep thinkers who astonish me with their brillance. 

But last, and most important of all, I owe many of you an apology.  By the timing of my post (which I truly felt was necessary due to the timing of next year's ADZ reservations) and the fact that I seem to be knocking a most cherished institution, I knocked some people down from the high they had coming home from the ADZ.  I did not mean to make anyone lose that good time, love fest, feeling.  I am so sorry if I did that to you, and I know that you are out there, upset with me for this.  I beg your forgiveness.  Please know that I said what I said all for the love of hikers.  I've spent the last eight years finely tuned into their needs, and when it became apparent that something is hurting/hindering their experience rather than improving it, well, it set me on a mission. 

"L-Rod" (my new self-given name, short for Lightening Rod)
aka Donna Saufley




-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Saenz <msaenz@mve-architects.com>
Sent: Apr 27, 2005 12:33 PM
To: Judson <judson@jeffnet.org>
Cc: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Let's pull it together people...

I must spend more time in meetings than actually getting work done (no
cracks about all the posts I write, please...).
Most the time in meetings is spent strategizing about how to get work
done! It's a sick irony.
Steve Courtway knows what I'm talking about...

Anyway.

I'm glad we're seeing an intelligent discussion about the real issue
that started this thread: The impact of a large wave of people on our
trail.

Just a couple observations from me:

Section A is a wide, well beaten trail that very often can be walked
side-by-side with another hiker. It's as wide as a dirt road in many
places between Campo and Morena. As the trail gains miles, the trail
becomes more of a trail and you can go miles without seeing roads and
houses. To me, THAT'S more of a wilderness experience. The wide portions
are a direct result of the larger numbers of hikers, immigrants, horses,
mountain bikes, etc. that have easier access to the southern portions of
the trail. As the number of thru-hikers is more at the beginning and
significantly less at the end, it only stands to reason that the only
adjustments we, as the PCT community, can make is to send less
thru-hikers through at any one period of time. We may not be able to
control the total number of hikers passing any portion of trail within a
single hiking season, but we CAN try to reduce the stampede effect and
allow at least a little time for the natural forces to heal the trail as
much as it can.

Morena Res has the special quality of being one day's walk from the
border. A thru-hikers first day's walk. The first day of a 4-6 month
long walk. It can accommodate ADZ. It's the place ADZ has always been.
There's a lot to be said for tradition...
After a thru-hiker's first day's walk, to drop into the park and be
greeted by fellow class members and a throng of supporters. To maybe
make that final mile at sunset and to hear the music of Weathercarrot's
DVD (Last year it was the 70's soundtrack of the `77 slide show- Jethro
Tull wafting through the fog...), and a hot meal and a beer handed to
you as you drop pack. That's magic...

Even if ADZ was moved somewhere further north, the number of thru-hikers
planning their start date with an ADZ arrival a significant factor in
their planning, would still mean a wave of people starting out at the
same time. Unless, of course, ADZ was moved up a month or two's hike
north, then we'd see a natural thinning. But I don't think that's what
the majority wants to see happen.

So if a thru hiker is as far north as Agua Dulce in late April, or
points south, an organized shuttling effort would allow them to attend
and participate in ADZ. And the added benefit of giving info on what
they've encountered to those who are just starting out.

Are there any other ways to lessen the size of the wave/pulse/tsunami?


Michael Saenz, Associate Partner
McLarand    Vasquez    Emsiek   &   Partners,   Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e  |  P l a n n i n g  |  I n t e r i o r s
MVE       MVE    Institutional       MVP    International
w  w  w   .   m  v  e   -   a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s   .   c  o m

-----Original Message-----
From: Judson [mailto:judson@jeffnet.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 10:26 PM
To: Mike Saenz
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Let's pull it together people...

Very impressive organizational skills, Oilcan! And here we thought you
were just a dude who like beer! ;)

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Mike Saenz
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 1:52 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Let's pull it together people...

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
McLarand    Vasquez    Emsiek   &   Partners,   Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e  |  P l a n n i n g  |  I n t e r i o r s
MVE       MVE    Institutional       MVP    International
w  w  w   .   m  v  e   -   a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s   .   c  o m
<http://www.mve-architects.com> 

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