Whitewater Preserve (mile 218) to campsite at mile 232
Let’s assume that in any population 10% are complete dingleberries – that is to say, self obsessed, mannerless, jerks. That’s not a scientifically proven number, but rather a guesstimate based on just under 30 years of observation. Now, if there are 300 people in your population sample, and that population is spread over a few hundred miles, it’s relatively unlikely that you’ll encounter one of the said dingleberries, and even less likely that they’ll leave a lasting impression. However, if your population is 3,500 people spread over the same few hundred miles, then the frequency of dingleberry encounters greatly increases and their presence is more detrimental to the entire population.
This is the problem plaguing the PCT.
As the trail becomes more popular there are a greater number of dingleberries hiking the trail, a similar percentage mind you, but a much larger number then even four years ago. And what’s worrying (aside from the average dingleberry’s complete disregard of manners) is the negative impact they’re having on the people who care for the PCT and it’s hikers the most: trail angels.
At Carmen’s in Julian we were told of a group of hikers ahead of us who ran up a $300 bar tab and then left without paying. Later, at Mike’s Place after Warner Springs we heard tale of some folks who drank all of Mike’s beer and didn’t so much as chip in a few bucks. While hiding from the blistering heat at the I-10 Oasis yesterday, we heard the story of a hiker who got so drunk and aggressive at trail angel Hillbilly’s house that Hillbilly had to kick him out in the middle of the night. Today another hiker boasted that he doesn’t follow the rules when staying at trail angles houses and he’ll drink in their homes even if they ask hikers not to.
Which begs the question: what in the actual fuck?!
Some of the hikers and trail angels we’ve spoken to blame the book/movie Wild for the increased population – and higher subsequent number of dingleberries – on the trail. But I think that’s just a scapegoat, folks looking to popular media as an easy target and failing to notice that hiking and the outdoors in general are gaining popularity on a national scale.
Conveniently, there is a moderately easy solution to the problem: mentorship, and if that fails, self policing. Cultures change from the inside, and if we want a better, more polite trail culture, then we have to model that behavior ourselves, tech others to do the same, and if all else fails, call out garbage behavior for what it is.
Yep, hopefully through self-policing and social pressure, the behavior of these jerks can be modified or at least they will be forced out of the trail society and become someone else’s problem. 🙂 So sad and angry to hear that peiple would behave like that, but not surprised.
Hello Kara,
Thank you for this feedback. Do you also feel the trail is too crowded? And overall, do you feel all this is compensated by the positive experiences you have with most hikers? Cheers and fun journey 🙂
I don’t really feel that the trail is crowded at all (but this might also be due to our early start). Generally you only see groups of hikers around water resources, and you can hike alone much of the time if you wish. Like I said in the post 90% or more of the people we’ve met have been amazing. The stories of disrespectful hikers is more saddening than actually detrimental to the hike.
Thank you Kara 🙂 I imagined you’d say that, and I am glad. That balance between solitude with Nature and social is really what makes those long-distance trails so special. Best adventure!