[pct-l] Thoughts on the ADZPCTKO thread

[ca_radiance at hotmail.com (Ryan Christensen)]

Fallingwater writes:

"I also noted that your preferred event locations occur north of Aqua Dulce
where any potential problems with clumping would be transferred to someone
else. Your place also contributes in its own way to hiker clumping."

I don't know how much clearer Donna could communicate that this discussion 
is not about her. When I first saw the Walk DVD the thing that really stuck 
me is the incredible number of PCT hikers gathered together at one time 
along the trail. The number of people hiking the trail is skyrocketing. I 
think she is being very forward thinking about this issue. There is no doubt 
that the number of PCT hikers will continue to grow and create an impact on 
the trail.

As she has made clear?its not just the impact on towns and other hiker 
support mechanisms that she is concerned about?it?s the impact upon the 
trail as well. When people are clumped together, their impact upon the land 
and the trail grows exponentially. For example: When a large group of people 
camp together in a spot that had otherwise not previously accommodated large 
groups, they have to camp in areas that have not been previously impacted. 
Sooner or later that impact will be noticed?including those governmental 
types.

I would echo the voices that have previously been heard on this thread and 
suggest that the KO date be moved forward by a couple of weeks or so and 
create a support network that would drive hikers whom had already started to 
the KO. Now, Yogi has pointed out that there are many who would resist 
because of that ever present northward pull on the trail?but I believe that 
many would take the opportunity to attend the KO and join in the PCT family 
revelry. I would.



The water cache debate is an interesting one. I can only think of one water 
cache that I ran into during my 96? PCT hike. Looking at the effects of the 
caches is well worth thinking about. Perhaps a huge motivation for people to 
supply water caches is to help the PCT community. Perhaps that altruistic 
drive could be re-directed towards helping out in transportation to and from 
the KO, or working with the PCTA in trail maintenance projects.

Its funny. Back in 1996 I heard a fellow PCT?er bemoan what the future of 
the PCT holds. He stated that having lots of water caches and other such 
?improvements? would bring the masses out to the trail and forever change 
the nature PCT experience for the worse . At the time I didn?t take him 
seriously?funny that today we find ourselves having this discussion on the 
list. Its good to be forward thinking when looking at issues associated with 
the PCT.