I STOPPED HIKING THE PCT BECAUSE OF TOXIC MA

[QITNL]

Everyone has their own wag bags. Each is as stinky as another.

When I was a kid, I hiked all summer vacation, for three years in a row. Hiking was pretty simple. Only trick was convincing your parents to let you go.

I got back into hiking like 10 years ago. Around the time hiking came online. The only wi-fi available on Hwy 395 was McDonalds. Mmm, I love McDonalds.

Since then, here's what I've learned:

1) Don't tell anyone where you are going.
2) Hike alone.
3) If someone asks you where you are going, be honest, tell them you don't know.
4) Get off the trail as soon as possible. Fewer questions.
5) If anyone is following you, they are lost. Redirect them as soon as possible.
6) Most creatures you encounter there on, you will both ask, silently: what the hell are you doing here?
7) Get home safely.
8) Don't tell anyone where you went.
9) Call your mom.

Works for me and my mom. But she's non-toxic, I'm lucky.

[Hobbes]

Christ Hobbes, where have you taken me?! I could have happily avoided all of this if I had stopped on page one with the wise words of mahjzha.

I know, it's all pretty fascinating. But, it's just part of an overall, larger picture that illustrates the impact of two key drivers on society at large: (communications) technology & population growth.

Down here, people are grumping about the explosive rise of resort developments, while fondly recalling the empty truck farms of their youth. In your neck of the woods, I remember when O'Neil's corp HQ was their sole retail store - bought my first wetsuit there. Now, 41st & the 1 are super-congested, and the Hook looks like Malibu.

Throw in social media, and it's a crazy mix of ego, attention seeking and hustle; almost makes one yearn to be free from the madding crowd. That's why, there's essentially two options available: either laugh and go with the flow, or become irate.

[CAMERONM]

The little excerpt of bile offered from Ms.Toxic is already too off-putting to read more. Shifting to some random general observations about trails and the PCT:
-When embedded with PCT friends, I observe that the social aspect is important for many. It offers many unusual social episodes that may be welcome as part of the adventure, or torture for someone who is socially directed and has a bad experience
-When encountered, negative vibes I experience include ageism, dismissal for being a lowly "section hiker", competitiveness and machismo from both sexes, female bristling when every comment or question is perceived as male assertions rather than friendly neutral banter
-There is a definite "grrrl" element out there, and many of them would rather that I not be on the trail; likely, they wish that I did not exist at all, anywhere
-The "hiker trash" subculture is strange and somewhat pathetic
-395 offers too many quick portals to bars for the PCT party crowd
-The selfie facebook instagram look-at-what-I-am-doing please-admire-or-praise-me validation phenomenom has arrived, big-time
-I really enjoy my time alone off-trail. HYOH.

[balzaccom]

The little excerpt of bile offered from Ms.Toxic is already too off-putting to read more. .

Beware that approach in today's society. It assumes that the excerpt successfully summarizes the original. In this case, I don't believe it does. It provides a "sound bite" that misses some key elements of the main blog post.

[TahoeJeff]

The little excerpt of bile offered from Ms.Toxic.

You nailed it CAMERONM!!!

[Wandering Daisy]

You cannot expect people to continue to read empathetically to the "key points", if up front, you start off with that title. That title was intended to "get clicks". Why not just ask the question, "Is the PCT Culture Toxic", without prefacing it with an excuse for your inability to continue, stereotype all men, and use known words that instantly divide people. Right off the start, defining yourself as "feminist", LGBT, and fat", are "fighting words". It is interesting, that just yesterday NPR had a show on words that instantly divide people. A feminist blogger got slammed from both sides when she did not fit the mold. "Feminist" is a word that will rile up the crowds from the get go. I have to be on Hobbes side on this one. If her attempt was empathy, she needs to take a good writing course to learn to win hearts and minds through communication. And get that chip of her shoulder.

[Jimbo]

Fascinating is right, Harlen. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that drama from all aspects in life seep into the wilderness, though you'd think the surrounding scenery might temper those attitudes just a tiny, tiny bit. This seems to further the case of staying off the popular trails and away from the crowds. I must say, this all made for an entertaining morning read.

[oldranger]

Strange as it might seem, as a 70+ year old white, heterosexual male, I have several LGBT friends. Not all have the same attitude but most feel discriminated against due to their sexual orientation. Some respond with anger others with resignation. Those that respond with anger tend to develop a litany of perceived slights that continue to feed their anger. I don't think that these are unreasonable responses but they are not particularly healthy either, as it does not help them to discern between well meaning people that may not say the precisely correct words in conversation and real a**holes. Then put this person into a culture of people who are on the trail to achieve a particular goal which ironically enough is not to experience the wilderness but to test themselves and put a notch on their belts and to be able to proclaim "I did this!"

This is quite a different orientation than I have and, I hope, most on this forum have. For me being in the mountains has always been my "happy place." My earliest memories are of Yosemite. I am more comfortable off trail, alone, than at any other place in my life. It is a totally non competitive experience and I can be completely selfish--do what I want when I want. The few people I hike with have to be tolerant that I hike my own hike even with them. On trails we hike our own pace--no judgement and whoever is in front knows to stop at trail intersections and stream crossings. Off trail, except for my son (who always is ahead and magically seems to be resting somewhere on the exact route I chose), we keep in contact and I choose the route 95% of the time (will consult with markskor and Tehipite Tom) if I have any concerns but mostly trust my judgement. Also have always designed my own trips even as a kid. Guide books gave me an idea of where I wanted to go. But routes were my own--so yes I have used the PCT/Muir trail as well as parts of the various off trail routes that have been identified but not because of those descriptions but just because they coincidentally merged with my desired route. The point being that thru hiking or following anyone elses tracks has no appeal to me and while I know many thru hikers are really nice people I would expect that many are ego driven and the kinds of things that are described in the blog are likely to occur. As several others have said the social scene is something they and I would avoid. I frankly don't give a damn what anyone thinks about an old fart chugging along at slightly over 1 mph.

As a measure of full disclosure I am totally opposed to the number PCT hikers that are permitted each year and the special provisions they are provided--unlimited entry and exits and exclusive use of bear boxes in parts of SEKI. What about their trip gives them special privileges over those of us who would like to spend extended periods along and off the pct but not do the PCT?

In sum I think I understand the bloggers anger but any thoughts that doing the PCT would in any way allow her to escape the issues she confronts in her everyday life was totally misplaced because for many PCT folks it is not the journey in the wilderness that counts but the goals you meet to salve the ego.

[Hobbes]

I was ready to track Clint down and kick his ass.

Now that's a great image: an eastern religion mystic cvm club fighter peppering some jerk with rapid left jabs. Think of the potential audience on FB Live, especially if it was staged on top of Glen pass.

PS You really have to come to the meet-up. This one, out of all the others, is also fairly close to Mammoth/Bishop, and it seems most are exiting that way. Could be an epic meet-up party, part 2.

That title was intended to "get clicks".

Exactly. Has anyone taken the time to peruse the site where the article was posted? Notice it's an on-line zine directed towards the grrrl market? Like I mentioned up-thread, this kind of commercial exploitation within increasingly narrow market segments already occurred long ago in the surfing world.

It's a surprisingly simple formula: everyone has some interest, some orientation, some complaint, some belief; it's the tower of babble, writ large. Apply these age-old trigger functions to new and emerging target areas, and generate either direct product sales, media exposure and/or follow up leads/contacts.

Thru-hiking in general, and the PCT directly, just happens to be today's "It Girl". Now, consider that the premier section of the PCT just also happens to be perhaps the most beautiful mountain alpine zone in the world. Not only that, but this part overlays against other, older and more established organizations (NP/JMT) & sub-culture.

Lastly, throw in advanced, instantaneous communications technology, and is it really any surprise at what is happening?

[balzaccom]

Lovely and thoughtful post, Old Ranger.