[at-l] Thru Hiker inviting a relative to join them

[TrailR at aol.com (TrailR@aol.com)]

In a message dated 4/23/2004 8:00:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
nickpvb@bellsouth.net writes:
As I recall, over the past four years, this 15 year old has only backpacked
12 miles with our Troop in the Ocala...and that was a two-day trip!  What do
the list readers suggest?  Should I discourage it?

Mark
****
If the college age cousin invited him, then maybe he wants him there enough 
to compromise on his daily miles. It would be rude to invite someone and do 
anything else. As a thruhiker, the college age person would become a sort of 
mentor on the trail to the other, and hopefully make it a pleasant experience 
for him (so he wants to do it more).  Talk to the thruhiker about it.

I thruhiked last year, and had family come to hike with me (a week of day 
hikes).
It was a positive experience for me, and especially for them. They raved 
about 
being on the trail, about how hard, but enriching it was for them. I also 
know of 
others who had family come and backpack with them. If you want someone there, 
you make allowances and have fun with them. 


Suggestions:
Never discourage people from trying something
Talk to the thruhiker about his expectations.
Talk to the scout about light weight backpacking
Maybe suggest they meet & do Shenandoah National Park (SNP), where the 
grading of the trail is a bit easier.

hotdog AT 03