More of the 2023 PCT Hiker Survey
In the current Halfwayanywhere's PCT survey there have been inquiries about ageism, homophobia/transphobia, racism, and sexism on the PCT. The data is notable in that even on the PCT these features of the greater society still appear significant. The PCT culture can appear to be utopian or maybe just the best one's imagined world has to offer. People seemingly get along, the surroundings are awe inspiring, and the experiences are hard to surpass.
In the latest Halfway generated 2023 hiker survey the results are extensive. In this post I would like to shine a little light on the results related to age, sexual identity, and race. When I reflect on my experiences on the PCT as the years have gone by I have felt more and more like my hiking partners and I are the 'geezers' based on the other hikers we have encountered on the trail. We have even referred to ourselves as 'Team Geezer' with our tongues firmly planted in our cheeks. We can't really say we have been victims of ageism. We could say we have surprised a few people when we share more of our trail story that ultimately leads to our ages. Age for us doesn't matter all that much.
'Team Geezer' September 2023
Halfway's 2023 PCT hiker survey includes these comments and data.
Social Issues on the PCT
The Pacific Crest Trail is, for the most part, an amazing place filled with incredible people.
However, just as the trail itself can be not so amazing at times – thunderstorms, fires, horrific weather events – the people, too, can occasionally be awful on the PCT.
Ageism
Overall, 12.5% of hikers experienced ageism on the Pacific Crest Trail. 8.7% experienced ageism from other hikers, 1.0% from people in town, and 2.8% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
*As ageism was reported by hikers with a wide variety of ages, these percentages encompass all hikers.
Homophobia/Transphobia
Overall, 42.4% of LGBTQIA+ hikers experienced homophobia or transphobia on the Pacific Crest Trail. 9.6% experienced homophobia or transphobia from other hikers, 22.4% from people in town, and 10.4% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
Racism
Overall, 22.5% of BIPOC hikers experienced racism on the Pacific Crest Trail. 1.3% experienced racism from other hikers, 17.5% from people in town, and 3.8% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
Sexism
Overall, 53.1% of women experienced sexism or sexual harassment on the Pacific Crest Trail. 12.8% experienced sexism or sexual harassment from other hikers, 15.4% from people in town, and 2.94% from both their fellow hikers and people in town.
These data points are intriguing to me. For one thing this data suggests that the PCT is a kind of microcosm of the larger world. Ageism, Homo and Transphobia, Racism not to ignore sexism lurk even on the trail and the towns hikers pass through. At the beginning I described this data as intriguing but I should also mention that it feels disappointing too. The PCT is a place where one likes to think a certain immunity exists from these threats, attitudes, and general misgivings. Nevertheless some of societies uglier features, based on the data, still weasel their way into people's hiking experiences
Ageism faired better than homophobia and transphobias where when the data is taken together 42.4% of LGBTQIA+ hikers noted some form of negativity about their identity/preferences. BIPOC hikers felt they experienced the most (17.5%) racism from townspeople. As more people of color get on the trail it may dampen another ugly societal feature. Sadly just over half the women who submitted their survey said they experienced sexism or sexual harassment on the PCT. Some of the sexism and/or harassment came not just from townspeople but fellow hikers too. The percentages are nearly even.
The PCT hiker surveys are valuable in so many ways. It seems that in looking over this particular data surrounding ageism, racism, sexism, and homophobia/transphobia, we can use it as a call to action. As members of the PCT community we must be reminded through the survey responses that the PCT is as susceptible to some of the same social shortcomings of the world found off the trail. If we can take that understanding and apply it toward actively working to change such attitudes then the trail can be a welcoming place for more individuals than the survey results currently suggest. We may have to wait for the next survey and the one after that before we will really know if greater acceptance and a willingness to understand others is taking place. How we measure our collective progress is yet another product of Halfway's valuable surveys. Stealing a little from Woody Guthrie...we cannot forget that 'this trail is your trail and this trail is my trail, it belongs to you and me...' In reality we don't own it but we are responsible for what happens both on and off of the PCT and that can be a real source of pride.
