Why people look upon thru-hikers negatively

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#1

I live in Waynesboro. This is some of the activities I have personally witnessed by thru-hikers. Most don’t do this but enough do. I don’t see any condemnation from the hiking community.

a) Illegal stealth camping behind stores
b) Picking through dumpster trash for food (I am not making this up)
c) Soliciting citizens for money to buy food (panhandling)
d) Flipping people with the bird for not giving them a pickup for hitchhiking.
e) Public drunkness in towns
f) virtually blocking enterances into stores by storing their packs right at the door
g) While they are nice to each other, they generally treat non-hikers like lesser beings
h) Trashing of hotel rooms

Bojo

#2

You just stated that most don’t act this way, but enough do??? 5-10% of the general population can be grouped into this description that you just gave us. So, I guess you can label this thread “Why people look upon other people negatively.”

I’m sure you’ve known of other people, non-hikers, who act in similar ways. Does this mean every person acts this way? No. It’s very unfortunate that there are hikers that give all of us a bad rep., but if you really think about it, you should be able to realize that not everyone is alike. If you (not you, specifically) looked upon every single citizen with such a narrow mind, then I would think that you would have packed up and moved far away from any civilization at this point.

That’s the main problem with stereotyping. You let a few bad apples dictate your opinion, and really miss out on a lot in the end.

I completely understand and am very sorry that there are people like that out there, but in the same sense am very annoyed to be grouped with these people, because I know I do not act this way. We can talk until we are blue in the face about how unfortunate it is that 5-10% of the population gives a negative impact, but what will that achieve?

If you want to let a bad experience with a person that just happens to be a hiker dictate your view, then that’s your right. Just realize that it is a very narrow-minded view.

bearbait

#3

C’mon Bojo if that’s the best you can do I’m glad I’m hiker trash. You do have my sympathy…sure don’t wanna see anyone stealing your garbage now.

Got any drug dealers or racists in Waynesboro? I stayed there for 2 days during my hike and the motels and restaurants sure were nice to me…and glad to take my money.

I think hikers aren’t much better or worse than the general population as I suppose are the people of Waynesboro.

Skeemer

#4

“I don’t see any condemnation from the hiking community.”

The ATC and ALDHA have taken a stand on this, Bojo.

From the ATC site;

Town Conduct:

In town, consider yourself a walking, talking billboard for backpacking and the Appalachian Trail.

The success of a thru-hiker’s journey depends heavily on Trail towns and the services they provide. Likewise, the continued success of the A.T. and the ATC depends on the support of the people who live near the Trail. Nothing can turn a person or town against backpacking and the A.T. quicker than an ill-behaved hiker. In recent years, some businesses have closed their doors or reduced the services they offer because of problems with hikers.

The Appalachian Long-Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) and ATC are working to reverse this unfortunate trend, and you can make a difference as well. When in town, remember you are a guest, even though you may be pumping money into the local economy. Be courteous to those who make their living there, and remember your conduct will have a bearing on how well the next hiker is treated. Always, always follow rules and regulations posted at hostels. Just because you are living in the woods temporarily, doesn’t mean you have to act like an animal.

If you would like to give back what was freely given to you while you stayed in Trail towns, volunteer your time, effort, or money to the services and people who supported you. Consider organizing or participating in a work trip. Every year, ALDHA sponsors at least two work trips to Trail establishments; this helps keep services available, and it lets facilities know that their goodwill is appreciated by the hiking community.

For more information visit www.ALDHA.org

TJ aka Teej

#5

Sounds to me like the start of a good pissing contest.

I could get involved, but I learned long ago that if you get in a pissing contest with an idiot, then you have two idiots in a pissing contest. LOL

Hikers are just like an other segment of society, some are good, some not so good and some bad. Pick any group and the same can be said.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#6

Worst experience on the trail.

Bus service won’t pick you up, because you are carrying a
‘package’ (backpack). This is S.T.U.P.I.D. It’s PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Town is strung out for miles, end to end.
Laundromat at one end, groceries at the other.
DQ only sells hot dogs, no Braziers. What’s up with that?
Went to Town Hall to get the bus schedule(wearing my pack), and they failed to tell me the ‘news’ about packages.

In most other towns, if you go to the right places they know
and appreciate what you’re doing. Waynesboro could learn
from the Delaware Water Gap or Palmerton.

When you get to town, get a shower and wash your clothes.
Never had a problem then, except for Wayneboro.

In fact, the bartender in Port Clinton said I couldn’t eat in
their dining room, when I got a room there. But after I showered
and put on my ‘town clothes’, she changed her tune!-)
Lucky for me, my ‘section hiker’ friends invited me to the
B&B for dinner.(so there!)
Later in the evening the bar/hotel let me use their laundry equipment, too.

Some places are more ‘hiker friendly’ than others.

Scamp

Scamp

#7

I’m sorry Scamp had such a lousy time in Waynesboro; other than being kinda spread out, I think it’s a GREAT trail town.

Scamp didn’t say when he was there, but there’s been a free place to shower (and stay!) in Waynesboro for years: Hikers used to stay in the Fire station, but for the last several years have been able to camp for free by the YMCA, which offers hikers full use of its facilities, including the weight room and the pool. The public library and a convenience store are minutes away. Anyway, if a hiker doesn’t grab a shower when they hit town, it’s their own fault.

The supermarket is, in fact, back in the center of town, but it’s a very good one (an enormous Kroger’s), and right next to it is the best Chinese Buffet on the Trail. The laundromat is about a 5 minute walk from the supermarket.

There were also several incredibly friendly locals who came by the YMCA each day to offer assistance, help, rides. The Chamber of Commerce has put out a great informative pamphlet with all sorts of useful information: Motels, restaurants, doctors, vets, churches, local shuttlers, etc. This info s available free from the Y.

In short, I think Waynesboro is a great town, but everyone’s experiences are different.

baltimorejack

#8

hey scamp…i have to agree with baltimorejack on waynesboro. i had a great time each time i’ve gone there on a hike. i met you in '02 on your hike up in the connecticut ten mile river area of the trail and the way you looked, i wouldn’t pick you up either if i was that bus driver. heh heh. when i went into port clinton that lady looked at me and smiled and said…“can i get you a yuengling sir?”

stumpknocker

#9

I came upon this thread just now after all the above comments have been made. His original comment, “I dont see any condemnation from the hiking communtiy”, is a fair statement. Infact, the only person initially condemned in this thread is Bojo. Why do the first responses to his question have to paint him in a bad light. We in the hiking community should say, I hear you and were addressing it. Not your “narrow minded” if you notice problem hikers.
I dont believe non-hikers view hikers as some kind of inferior subcultural group.
Thanks TJ aka TEEJ and BALIIMOREJACK for your comments. I think it proves that it is possible to talk about this issue without being rude.

Woodsy walker

#10

I thought Waynesboro was an ok town. Yes maybe 5-10% of the population does act the same as what was described here,but they are not wearing back packs and therefore can blend into the belly of society as just rude individuals. If this “bad hiker conduct” is the observation of the public(sterotype or not)it is the duty of every hiker out there to do there part to not even come close to this projected belief.

Virginian

#11

Yeah, I guess my answer was a little defensive as I was probably reacting to my feeling that Bojo had it in for hikers. If hikers are breaking laws (destroying property and such) that should be addressed by Waynesboro’s finest.

Virginian is right, we do stand out in the crowd and it is up to us, as Teej says, to be “billboards” for the backpacking community.

Skeemer

#12

Thank’s TJ for your post. You are right on.

It only takes the actions of a very few to ruin things for us all. Hence, the Endangered Services Campaign. If you are not part of the problem, then be part of the solution. Do this by helping educate our fellow hikers about how to behave, if that’s what it takes. Give back to the trail, and trail towns. Join ALDHA’s campaign.

Myself, I thought Waynesboro was great. I appreciated the calling list for people willing to shuttle hikers to and from Rockfish Gap. Thank you citizens of Waynesboro.

Peaks

#13

No doubt a hiker can have a bad time anywhere, including Waynesboro. And no doubt a few hikers carelessly leave a bad impression that impacts every hiker who follows.

Waynesboro has, in the past, extended a welcome to hikers. The local Chamber of Commerce would print a Hiker Welcome fact sheet, listing all the amenities in the area a hiker might need to know about. This was handed out, among other places, at the tiny Visitor Center at Rockfish Gap that most hikers would pass just five minutes from the A.T.

From that Visitor Center, you could call for a ride into town if you didn’t want to hitch. Waynesboro has (or at least had, as of a couple years ago) a team of volunteers willing to do short shuttles–for free or next-to-free. Of course, it would only take an unappreciative, demanding attitude from a small number of hikers to turn that freely given trail magic into a negative experience for all concerned.

Waynesboro is IMO a southern version of a northern rust belt city that has seen better days. Most lodging is not near the other stops a hiker typically needs to make. I can see why some hikers might have a bad impression of the town, but I don’t think it’s fair or accurate to blame it on either the bulk of the people or their intentions toward hikers.

Likewise, it’s not fair for townspeople anywhere to treat hikers badly because of the actions of a few who came before–though since we know that’s the likely outcome of bad hiker behavior it behooves all of us to be that positive walking billboard mentioned above.

“Skyline”

#14

I have been told there is a frontcountry focus that is being developed by LNT, inc. I don’t think it will address this issue directly, but we can learn something from the perspective. Since people on the trail are generally free to behave as they wish, education seems to be a good way to go to curb both backcountry and trail-town impacts.

I recall an LNT program that gave thru-hikers in 2002 low-impact info at woody gap and then tested them at another trail-road crossing. If they got it right, they won a water bladder, and they learned the LNT ethics, whether they choose to follow them or not. See www.lnt.org to learn more about these research-based ways to minimize our impact on the fragile trail infastructure.

Something similar ought to be produced for minimizing social impacts. While I agree that hikers represent a cross-section of the general population with some exceptions (race, education, age), I still think all LD hikers should make an effort to curb disrespectful behavior in towns. Educating hikers about the problems and how to avoid them is good, because the approach relies on choice and not regulation (the latter which might be imposed on us if the former is not informed). Of course, this is no magic bullet, but it may help greatly.

We can use this thread to create something positive for hikers and members of the trail communities. I for one loved Waynseboro. I hope to be going back there this spring to teach a class.

Tha Wookie

#15

Sounds to me like a modern version of “First Blood” Remember what the sheriff did to Sly Stalone when all he did was try to “walk” into town? The rest is history. Maybe just movie history but just trying to lighten the tension;)

LobsterVac

#16

First off let me say that Ive stayed in Waynesboro on my hike and a twice since my hike. Other than being stretched out I loved it. I even got picked up for a ride when I wasn’t even hitchhiking. Personally I don rt hitch within the limits of a town, if possible. As far as Waynesboro goes Ill stay there again.

I worked at a hostel the next year after my hike, only for about 6 weeks. Let me tell you, I hated every hiker after that. Its a lot different from the other side, trust me. I think everybody who wants to thruhike should 1) perform 50 hours of trail maintenance and 2) work at trail related facility.

Chef

#17

I felt Waynesboro was one of the friendliest towns on the trail. I rarely needed to put a thumb out to get a ride and the locals were exceedingly friendly. Spread out, yes, unfriendly no. There will always be a bad egg or two in any crowd, but the rest of the folks should always try to go the extra bit in town to relate well with the local community. A little kindness seems to radiate a long way along the trail!

Yo-YO

#18

I think this thread just reiterates the need for us (the 90-95% of hikers who do follow rules to go out of our way in towns to be super friendly to people and give a good name to the hiking community, just as towns people often do for us.
I had a great time in Waynsboro and took a zero there, which was kinda rare for me. I was sitting on the stone wall at Rockfish with two others, so tired from our push to town, we didn’t even have our thumbs out yet. A fellow named Bobby, a local groundskeeper, stopped, picked us up, drove us to town, all around to get our chores done, found us the cheapest motel, then took us out to a free Shoneys AYCE meal. THAT is trail magic! An amazing gentleman. And there were plenty of other good folks in town just like him. I thought it was a great town all around.

A-Train

#19

I do apologize again…this time for changing the direction of the thread. What started out to be critical comments about thru hikers ended up being a referendum on the town of Waynesboro…in spite of Teej’s attempt to get back on topic. So, I’d just like to set the record straight on one point…the people of Waynesboro were just fine. (Even if a librarian wasn’t too friendly) And, I didn’t mean to imply I met drug dealers or racists in Waynesboro…my point was there are probably worse people around than hikers leaving their backpacks blocking entrances and eating out of dumpsters.

Chef may have a point, we ought take a look at ourselves which is probably what Bojo was asking us to do. But I still agree with Bearbait, if you look at all hikers this way, it is very narrow minded.

I’ll shut up now…I should be hiking anyway.

Skeemer

#20

Everyone has their views on this, and I don’t believe that it is being rude to point out that focus on bad hikers is a narrow-minded view. It is fact.

I’m sorry, I cannot ignore that this person came on a backpacking forum with nothing but criticism. Yes, we all know that a couple of hikers every year act in this way. Sure, let’s try to focus on correcting the issues…

They’re (more than likely) grown adults. Go ahead, try to change a grown adult.

The only thing we can do, like A-Train said, is to represent the good hiking community in town and show these people that hikers are generally good people.

bearbait