Hitchin'

Warning: Due to the Nature of this Blog Post, Reader (especially parents) Discretion is Advised 

I know, this is the stuff of parents' nightmares. But it just so happens that hitchhiking is an integral part of hiking the PCT. Say I have been hiking 250 miles, then I come to a trail head where town is 9 miles away. Do I hike those extra 9 miles along a maybe busy road, or do I just stick out my thumb and get a ride into town in comfort? Personally, I will choose the latter. My feet will thank me, and I just might make it to the post office before it closes.

 

Outside Big Bear - 1999

There are towns in Southern California where the risk of hitching is lower than average simply because the nature of the town is all about the hikers. They love the hikers, and anyone driving near these towns know why there are hitchers at certain places. These places are usually off the main highways, so most drivers belong to these towns or are familiar with them and the hikers. These towns include Idyllwild, Big Bear, Wrightwood, and Agua Dulce.

 

 

 

 

 

To relieve my parents somewhat, I do plan to take public transportation when available. I don't really enjoy hitching, especially alone, so near towns like Julian, Tehachapi, and Lake Isabella, I plan on calling a shuttle or a Trail Angel,

 unless I am with a group of people, then hitching will be fun. Groups though have their own special problems, such as cars not wanting to stop for a big group. They may not have room, and won't stop.

 

While at Kickoff  http://adzpctko.org/ in 2012, Ravensong got a group of girls and women together and we had a discussion about safety for women hiking alone. Hitch hiking came up, and this was the highlights of that discussion. If possible, hitch with a guy. Never get in the car first, and always get out first. If you get a bad vibe from someone who stopped for you, don't get in the car. Make excuses if you have to, say you're husband or boyfriend is right behind you and you have to wait for them. If nothing else, just keep going on up the trail as fast as possible, and get out of the area.

 

Lego and I hitched in 1999, we always had him get in the car first, and I always got out first.

 

NOT one of our Hitches

 

I will always be the most comfortable hitching with someone else, especially a male fellow thru hiker. This is where the term Ride Bride comes in. This is a female put out on the road to hitch by fellow male hikers, to get cars to stop easier. Some drivers won't stop for scruffy looking males, but put a female (scruffy or not) out by the side of the road with her thumb out, and presto! you have a ride. I am now offering to be a Ride Bride for anyone needing one, safer for me, and a faster ride for you!

 

 

 

So in conclusion, I will be hitch hiking when needed. I hope not to do it often, but I will always be smart about it, and follow certain safety protocols. And I will not hitch alone if I don't absolutely have to. I think I should be able to hitch with others, especially since registration is up for the trail by 300%. That is a lot of potential hitch hikers going into towns at the same time. I'll be in good company!