Why people look upon thru-hikers negatively

imported
#21

I think the point is that the businesses teach a lot of “grown adult” hikers a lesson by hanging up “Hikers Not Welcome” signs. Who are you going to be mad at? The business for protecting their interests or the “Hiker Trash” for screwing things up for the rest of us? It is more than a couple of hikers every year. I lived less than a mile from the trail for three years. Hikers with the attitude that they are special just because they are hikers on the AT caused a lot of problems. They are tolerated because the AT brings lots of tourist dollars into areas that would otherwise not see that money. However, don’t think for a minute that tolerance is condoning the actions of the bad hikers. If it gets too bad then it gets dealt with at the local level and a lot of places become off limits to hikers. It is in the best interest of all to police our own and raise the image of hikers in the eyes of the people that live along the trail that we are only using temporarily.

BOJO was not being narrow minded, only human. Waynesboro is his home. How would you react upon seeing someone act unreasonable in YOUR home?

Ragnar

#22

Human is not judging a group of people based on the actions of a small percentage of that group, in my opinion.

I understand, have not said one thing in defense of these hikers that tarnish the image of others, and realize what these people do, but you still aren’t going to be able to change the behavior of a grown adult. The only person you can control and change is yourself.

I think it is almost completely absurd to point out such things that obviously only occur with a SMALL percentage of hikers out there, and tell the rest of us, in so many words, ‘this is why we don’t like you.’

If hikers on the trail were really THAT big of a problem, then it seems like you’d see local discrimination, first-hand, in the towns that the trails actually run straight through. But these towns are some of the friendliest towns on the trail, and I’ve never gotten the feeling that I’m simply being tolerated in towns such as Hot Springs, Erwin (not a direct trail town, but close enough), Damascus, Palmerton, and a few others. I think that people that close their doors to hikers do so unreasonably - - I mean seriously, these businesses have never had a negative experience with another person before? I would honestly rather not deal with these businesses that have such a narrow mind.

As pointed out in this thread already, trail organizations and guidebooks have guidelines for town behavior, and we can suggest that some people tone things down in town, but each individual chooses their own path after that.

I am sorry, but I really can’t condone the usage of stereotypes to justify discrimination.

bearbait

#23

Someone on here said that they had worked in a hostel and didn’t like the hikers that came through there. My brother Yogi and I lived at The Barn in Gorham N.H. in the summer of '99 as unofficial shuttle drivers. I worked at Mr. Pizza down the street. Working there at Mr. Pizza certainly helped them be even more hiker friendly. The fact that I posted a to go menu on the wall at The Barn which helped bring in more business my have had something to do with it. By an large both Yogi and I had very positive interaction with the hikers that came through there that summer. I still keep in touch with many of them. During my section hike last spring I pulled a 24 miler into N.O.C a limped in and got breakfast. The restaraunt was severly understaffed and were very busy so my server apoligized for my breakfast taking so long to prepare. I mentioned the fact that I had worked for 5 years in the restaraunt biz and understood. Plus after a 24 miler the day before I was in no rush. My server then proceeded to bring me a large o.j. and the portions seemed a bit larger than usual. She gave me a 20% discount and didn’t charge me for the o.j.
After that I ran into a hiker named Vice that was a former Barn guest. Wouldn’t ya know but he and his wife had just bought a house in nearby Bryson city.I ended staying at his place for several days. My point? practice the golden rule and give out trail magic when you can. As it says in the Bible "Freely give,freely you shall recieve.

BooBoo

#24

Actually, the quote is “…freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) but BooBoo’s got the right idea; there are very few unfriendly places on the Trail and the same goes for unfriendly people. I think nearly everyone ends up amazed at the kindnesses shown to them along the route by complete strangers, and the good times and good deeds vastly outnumber the handful of negative experiences you’ll go thru…and considering you’re gonna be out there for 180 days, it really is a tiny handful. After your trip, you’ll remember the good times and good people long after you’ve forgotten about the one or two folks you couldd’ve done without. The Trail is such a positive experience for people, it really makes you forget about the small stuff.

B. Jack

#25

Yeah, so some hikers burnt down a shelter or two in 2002… most of the real hikers were pretty awesome people and frankly, I am willing to send my daughters out to hike the A.T. next year. Enough said…

Spanky

#26

I didn’t mean to be super-critical, just pointing out the facts of
my experience, in one town.

There are MANY more positively excellent tales to tell for each
negative one.
How about that spaghetti dinner(for a dozen hikers) in Kent,
CT?(thanks again Dawn) Or the Mennonite’s picnic in Port Clinton? Super!

Hey Stumpknocker, why aren’t you SOBO on the PCT?
Going to Trail Days? I am, if I can get a week off. If you
need a ride, let me know. I’m in NJ.

Scamp

Scamp

#27

Geez, I hope that it is WAYNESBORO, PA that is getting all the grief and not my lovely little town of WAYNESBORO, VA where most…I say MOST…of the townies enjoy the hikers. I hear only good things from the hikers about my town, with the exception of the attitude of the postal clerks. Hope the trail magic me and a number of friends provide there keeps our reputation on the up and up! Come see us!

Pam Bennett