[pct-l] Raising money on a PCT-a-thon

["Richard Winterstein" <agrestis9@hotmail.com>]

>You are also exploiting the PCT trail for a
>non-related profit making venture -- funding for your
>non-profit. IMO such a commercial use of the PCT iswrong.
>
>John Mertes

This attitude rather surprised me.  I didn't realize anyone was 
philosophically opposed to using a hike of the PCT as a kind of walk-a-thon 
to raise money for a charitable organization.  I see also that "Katt" just 
today (10/17) asked for people's opinions on this very subject.

I think I understand John's point, but I really can't believe that raising 
money for an NPO is 'commerical' in the implied exploitative sense of the 
term.  To the contrary, using one's hike seems to have a number of things to 
its favor:
*  It does not destroy or degrade the trail in any way I can perceive, 
certainly not in any material way;
*  It could increase awareness of the PCT in a positive way.  Anywhere from 
dozens to hundreds of people may learn of the trail's existence for the 
first time, and some of these people may become eventual users and 
supporters of it;
*  It enables the fundraising hiker to accomplish something beneficial to 
other people during the period of four or five months when they're 
essentially isolated from society at large.

About the only objection I have is to soliciting funds from the people one 
meets during the hike, whether they be other trail-users or residents of 
neighboring communities.  Asking them to support you in your cause seems to 
violate the very non-mercantile air of camraderie which (at least) ought to 
prevail among fellow hikers.  Naturally, people using their hike to raise 
money for charity will want to mention their particular cause, but I believe 
there's an appropriate and inappropiate way to do this.  THe wrong way would 
be to say something like, "I'm hiking the PCT to raise money for the X 
Foundation" -- implying that you're continuing to seek funds and, say, 
couldn't you contribute a little...?  Better would be to explain that you've 
got sponsors "back home", thereby giving the sense that the fund-raising 
part is _over_ and now you're fulfilling your goal of completing the trail.  
Then if somebody wants to give money, it's strictly voluntary; there isn't 
any subtle expectation of it.  Heck, maybe even better than that would be 
not to mention your cause at all unless you fall into a long conversation 
with someone.

Richard Winterstein
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