Anecdotal examples suggest something in the range of a 50% success rate for the PCT. Younger, 'trail athletes' & older, boomer thru-hikers, both of whom use re-supply points to break up the trek into more manageable pieces, are certainly to be admired.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm the one who has been posting links to Carrot's blog. Here's a photo of what I consider an incredibly fit 'trail athlete' (ironically, off trail):
However, is the growth in the number of permits being issued each year being driven by interest from these groups, or from other, less serious participants who may have different motives & expectations? I think that's the orientation on this thread of any criticism being leveled towards the "rolling party". Here's an excerpt from another blog:
Because I’m a PCT vet, it’s very important to remain casual about these things. So I help myself to a modest portion.
Meanwhile, one of the guys who’s been there for a fvcking week decides to chime in about my taco salad etiquette. He turns to me with his beady stoner eyes and says that I have to put my plate over the table or else I’ll get it all over the driveway. But I wasn’t, my plate was modest.
So let’s throw the I’m -a-casual – vet **** out the door because I’m feeling very cantankerous. I pause for a moment to think about what I’m going to say to this guy; this guy who’s been mooching off the taco salad for a fvcking week.
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For those interested in reading further tales of disenchantment and push-back from the support community, here's a note from the water report:
The Scissors Crossing cache will no longer be maintained starting 4/28/14.
Here is a note from Trail Angel Larry: "Scissor's Crossing creek has been dry for 4 years. The water cache under the bridge is again at HIGH RISK! Six bags of trash, about 90% of which is made up of empty beer/soda cans, wine bottles, HAVE BEEN REMOVED. This total was amassed by so called hikers and associated 'camp followers' in less than FIVE DAYS. Locals in my nearby community have reported sightings of backpackers actually hitching from Julian while carrying packages of beer. This note should be considered... notice that Scissor's Angel Larry will no longer provide water beyond AZD weekend.
On Monday, all wooden containers which house up to 90 gallons of water will be removed. Hikers can then access water from Julian, 12 miles off trail, or from a campground 4 miles south of Scissor's on highway S-2.
Far more than a 'mere few' have contributed to this mess, ruining a formerly clean & well located cache. Maintaining the cache year around has been mostly a genuine pleasure. This soon to be 'former' angel never intended for an ugly trashed out scene to result.
The truly resourceful trail hikers will find a way to carry forward on their journey of discovery. Carry on, and keep safe out there."
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