[pct-l] ADZ

[enyapjr at adelphia.net (enyapjr@adelphia.net)]

Joann posted: "The PCTA still puts on an annual Trail Fest. It was two weeks
before the ADZ (this year) in Portland.  It will be in Riverside in 2006.  I think
they had almost 400 people attend this year.

"Should this group attack the PCTA's Trail Fest for growing too large, too  soon?
Tell them how to change?  Who should now do what?  Where they should locate
each year? etc."
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I don't think this 'group' is 'attacking' ADZ itself...  Just trying to discuss possible
ways to help alleviate the growing surge of hikers that leave from ADZ weekend
on their PCT journey...  'Brainstorming', if you will, various ideas that could be
instituted in the years ahead as the thru-hiker numbers increase evermore...
Also trying to keep the lines of communication open and flowing...

As for Trail Fest, it wasn't until a few years ago that a 'rotation' was put into effect.
Now, every other year it is held in WA/OR, then CA in the other years...  that
came about from complaints from both inside and outside of their membership
and the PCTA's desire to get the Trail Fest closer to ALL of its (West Coast)
membership and relatively near varying PCT segments.  Trail Fest is usually held
in metropolitan areas at a hotel complex with convention/meeting facilities (thus
the relatively high price for accomodations).  It is not a 'low budget' endeavor!

I also seem to remember a PCTA magazine article (probably more than 2 years
ago) that gave a synopsis of a survey questionaire of Trail Fest attendees on
what 'improvements' could be made to Trail Fest to make it better.  The article
also asked its membership that didn't attend Trail Fest to submit comments.

If the PCTA were to hold Trail Fest at Campo and all 400 people attending started a nobo thru-hike immediately after the Fest, then this 'group' probably
would 'attack' the PCTA also - and justifiably so...  

Happy trails!!!