disclosing thru-hikers whereabouts etiquette ?

[Chip]

I never thought twice about it before, but I have gotten some push-back here regarding disclosing a thru-hikers whereabouts.

What's up with that ?

I ask because I gave a ride, to the NY border just now, to a couple guys heading back home from Katahdin. We had a great conversation about their trip and some here might even know them, but I don't want to...(refer to question above.) Thanks.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I never thought twice about it before, but I have gotten some push-back here regarding disclosing a thru-hikers whereabouts.

What's up with that ?

I ask because I gave a ride, to the NY border just now, to a couple guys heading back home from Katahdin. We had a great conversation about their trip and some here might even know them, but I don't want to...(refer to question above.) Thanks.

I guess just personal preference. You can certainly find out a lot about people on Whiteblaze, if they choose to participate.

 

[Early Bird]

The year I thru-hiked the AT, there was a bit of animosity between a thru-hiker on Trailjournals and a couple thru-hiking who lived along the trail in a small gap. The TJ hiker posted as part of his journal that he had met Couple X from Gap Y and that they were thru-hiking also. Well, Gap Y only has 4 houses on it and the couple feared that their house was being advertised as vacant for the next 6 months. The result was that they ended their hike. I'd read about the problem on TJ and didn't realize what a big deal it was until I met Couple X on the trail and they X invited me their house for trail magic. Their house was one of only four in the gap. A very nice log cabin dwelling with AT stickers in the window, there would have been no mistake about which house was vacant.
Another story, as a solo female hiker I opted not to keep a TJ so as not to be tracked. (Another solo female hiker that year did keep one, ended up stalked, and changed her trail name and journal because of it.) It did me off on one particular occasion when another hiker announced to strangers where I planned to spend the next two nights before heading into such and such a hostel for the third night.
I'd guess most people don't care, but certainly some would rather remain more anonymous.

 

[Chip]

The year I thru-hiked the AT, there was a bit of animosity between a thru-hiker on Trailjournals and a couple thru-hiking who lived along the trail in a small gap. The TJ hiker posted as part of his journal that he had met Couple X from Gap Y and that they were thru-hiking also. Well, Gap Y only has 4 houses on it and the couple feared that their house was being advertised as vacant for the next 6 months. The result was that they ended their hike. I'd read about the problem on TJ and didn't realize what a big deal it was until I met Couple X on the trail and they X invited me their house for trail magic. Their house was one of only four in the gap. A very nice log cabin dwelling with AT stickers in the window, there would have been no mistake about which house was vacant.
Another story, as a solo female hiker I opted not to keep a TJ so as not to be tracked. (Another solo female hiker that year did keep one, ended up stalked, and changed her trail name and journal because of it.) It did me off on one particular occasion when another hiker announced to strangers where I planned to spend the next two nights before heading into such and such a hostel for the third night.
I'd guess most people don't care, but certainly some would rather remain more anonymous.

thanks, that helps. But 2 guys with trail names ? I guess it's just easier to not divulge so that no possible dis occurs. no problemo.

 

[RoySwkr]

As mentioned, there are people who keep online journals so others can follow their progress, and those who fear for their possessions or persons if their whereabouts are disclosed. Next time, you'll know to ask if their names can be shared.

Note to potential thieves - someone who is spending 6 months on the A.T., in Iraq, etc. probably has a caretaker for their property.