very sad…

That's a disgrace.

Hmmmmmm, I wonder if that's a joke. I know the best-selling book about the PCT has "inspired" a lot of noobs to attempt it this year, but that note just seems too kooky to be real. If you've made it through a few resupply stops, you would — surely — have more sense than that, no?

My guess is they were section hikers without much experience. I mean, who gets all the way to Kearsarge Pass and still thinks it's a good idea to carry juice?

I guess it gives new meaning to the expression, "hiker trash"! ;^)

I'd love to say that the "superior than thou" mentality doesn't ever creep into the thru-hiking community. But I'd be lying if I said that.

The truth is that thru-hikers should be the stronger, better-prepared, more knowledgable, and overall superior outdoor advocates compared to some other hikers. Thru-hikers should be the ones carrying OUT other peoples trash. I know that when I was in Georgia on my AT thru-hike, I started carrying black trash bags out on the trail with me so that I could pick up trash and drop it at the nearest trailhead (effectively begging various drivers to take it to the dump for me). I carried out trash only a handful of times on the PCT – as it was a pristine and well-kept trail, noticeable free of litter and obviously loved by the local hikers.

This runs along the same line as the removal of the Scissors Crossing water cache due to HUGE trash buildup by thru-hikers. A real shame that will effect hikers for years to come.

Hopefully hikers will see these shortcomings and take up the slack, helping to reaffirm to the community that we do care about the fragile and beautiful wilderness areas that we walk through; the same wilderness that is often these folks backyards and playgrounds.

Bet its the same bad apples that stole Balls' water cache on the CDT last year.

Who takes jugs of juice out a of a resupply..?

Someone very inexperienced who should not be hiking above 10,000 feet in may.

Who brings a sharpie with them as well??

I mean, this isnt the AT where the dumb idiots have shelters to write all over.

M B wrote:
>> Who brings a sharpie with them as well??

Yeah, good point – that's why my first impression was that maybe this is some kind of "joke"….an uncool and un-funny one.

I always carry a sharpie when I'm thru-hiking. It's best for writing hitchhiking signs.

Here's a little more detailed information about the picture and the woman who write the item for the PCTA blog.

http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2014-May/074555.html

http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2014-May/074556.html

Apparently, the OP's example is NOT an isolated incident this year on the PCT. Apparently there IS a whole new crop of "leave plenty of trace" campers out there. (I genuinely believe that the book "Wild" has influenced many inexperienced, and ignorant people to attempt the PCT — folks who would not be out there otherwise… you are free to disagree…I'm not trying to "hate on" Cheryl Strayed; I don't think she intended this effect when she wrote the book!)

Dirtmonger (a very experienced thru-hiker) had this to say on his blog:

>>Side note and bullet-point rant:

>>This year's thru-hikers (or whatever type of hiker you are):

>>*Stop littering the trail with TP blossoms. Please find a shit-spot well out of sight of trail, dig a deep cathole, and carry out your goddamn TP.

>>*Please only use a small amount at water caches, even less than what you need. Carry your goddamn water and stop relying on these convenient, well-placed safety mechanisms. Get tough!!

>>*Also, do not leave your trash at the water caches!! Carry your own garbage out. The people who stash the water are not getting paid to pick up after your shit that's left behind.

>>*Another thing, quit yogi-ing unless you're in dire straits. It is your responsibility to do research, carry your own food, and know your ability. Stop taking advantage of others' kindness. Graciously accept trail magic, pitch in when you can.

>>*Lastly, this is directed at some 'so-called trail angels' and the hikers who enable them. This pot/ganja/marijuana thang is beyond repulsiveness. Respect the trail, nature, and man. Hiking the PCT is not an illegal profit business. I don't care if you smoke pot but the more you buy from these 'so-called trail angel' roaches the more they are encourage to drive around to different trail heads and poach. To me, this is the epitome of hiker trash that give a bad name to long distance hikers who live the lifestyle and walk the walk (and I'm calling out the name Hiker Trash. For reals!?).

Sorry, but I put Hiker Trash in the same category as ski bum, river rat or dirt bag climber.

A term of endearment and camaraderie.

An a-hole is just an a-hole no matter what the term may be used to describe their outdoor pursuits. :)

Speaking of which, the more people do something, the more a-holes there will be.

Perhaps more apt is the quote from Yvonne Choinard from "180 South"

"The whole purpose of planning something like Everest is to effect some sort of spiritual and physical gain and if you compromise the process, you're an a**hole when you start out and you're an a**hole when you get back."

Now, I am not talking about something as silly as the blue blazing or equivalent debate but compromising on some other, more important level.

Perhaps the a-holes who left litter will change. I know did things in my past I am not too proud off..but I hope I have changed and evolved.

Depends on who you ask I a guess. ;)

read the links to the articles — thought that bear canister looked like the one at Kearsage Pass (I sat on it for hours) :-)

1.5 miles up the trailhead from the parking lot on 5/24 . . . . empty juice bottles and poptart packages. I've never met a thru-hiker who would willingly carry that extra crap up into the mountains at all – let alone just leave it.

Sounds like a little soap-box moment for NPS and they decided to pick the thru-hikers as the possible scapegoat.

Interesting spin.

Yeah, I see crap like this over on the AT all the time. As the PCT becomes more popular it's only going to get worse unfortunately. Trail angels at every access point. Trash everywhere. People writing all over everything. Blehhh

Ryan

I wonder if Deb's credit card statements would show her purchasing juice and pop- tarts recently.
Her story sounds quite questionable.
I'm pretty sure the "fast" group of thrus hasn't made it to K pass yet and she states quite factually it was thru hikers with not a shred of evidence to support her claim.