Trip Page

“Did you check the trip page lately? Since when can they charge for trips??
someone should delete this thread:
Hundred Mile Wilderness, AT, ME

s h i t, it's free advertising for the guy”

“WTH? I didn't catch that before.”

“thanks for the catch Gemini.”

“Dang, that was fast. It's gone.”

“Dang! Does that mean I am going to lose my deposit???”

“Dang, just goes to show you that MAtt does read what we say!”

“dang yeah, every single second and every single thread.”

“Dang!”

“Gall Danit!”

“...a change coming in the terms of participation for the trips page...”

“YOU FORGOT TO SAY DANG!!!

you have to mess up everything dont you Bit,

oh i forgot I was ignoring you.

(standing with my back towards the computer)”

“(sticking my tongue out at mapleleaf)”

“What did it say that was wrong? Wasn't this a trip posted by a guy named askus?”

“DANG!

I don't remember”

“He was charging a fee for the trip.”

“twiggy...some guy who never posts here and wanted a $25 deposit.”

“Dang, we need an ignore button for those dang trips that charge for participating in the dang thing.”

“see Bit you are the only one that did not say Dang.

dont ya feel stupid!!”

“Uh, no.”

“DANG, what do you mean $25?? he wanted $100 deposit”

“Worse than a troll!”

“The Human Shield Trip in Iraq posted by the troll Upurs is still on the trip's page.”

“Yeah. Hey UpUrs, we'll meet you there. Why don't you go on ahead and scout around for us.”

“Dang, I noticed it but didn't say anything.

:p”

“Gawd! I'm so much enjoying this board now that I can zap UU's posts!”

“The money wasn't for reservations?

A person can charge for guide services if they're a registered Maine Guide - otherwise, it's illegal.

I'm mostly curious what the trip said, since I always ask for a deposit for reservations on the Maine trips.”

“twigeater. I really don't know anymore, I know he gave a email address and asked for $100 deposit.
Matt deleted that trip so fast, I had no change to look at it a second time.”

“twig - I don't think you need to worry. Most everyone knows Baxter State Park isn't free for out of state people. Your asking for money up front is very reasonable and necessary.”

“and I'll be your cabana boy...female applicants (suplicants) only, please.”

“Thanks, SS. BSP isn't free for me either, though non-residents are charged an additional gate fee which I don't collect up front.

I e-mailed askus and it was his trip. I'm sure the fee was for costs he incurred or expected to incur on the trip - fees for shuttles, hostels and camping. I didn't see exactly how the trip was going to work, but I'd be surprised if he were charging people just to hike with him.”

“I just got back from vacation to find my trip removed and myself being condemned on this website. Nobody contacted me to even inquire what the $100 deposit was for. The $100 is for accommodations that I will pay for on this trip. I made aadvance reservations with my money. I planned the trip to the nth degree so it will go smoothly and successfully and thought I would open it up to more than just close friends who are interested in hiking the AT thru the Hundred Mile Wilderness. I will not make a cent off this trip and am paying my share. I enjoy leading trips and hikes for AMC & ADK and am apalled by this knee jerk reaction. I have numerous references that I can supply. Anyway, it is a week before the trip and the deadline is past. Reservations were made for the five participants at Appalachian trail Lodge in Millinocket (one night), three nights at trailers in JoMary Lake Campground & one night at Shaw's Boarding House in Monson. Try getting a bed in Monson at peak thru-hiker time on a Friday evening in September in Monson when you just show up 7 PM sweaty from a 30 mile backpack. Maybe if your lucky you can but why chance it. Make a reservation. This requires advance planning. I do the planning and everyone enjoys themselves. I can't believe everyone thinks the worst of a person - nobody bothers to check out the truth of the matter. Oh well - you lose out along with future trips along the AT I planned for the dayhiker who wants to hike the AT in an economic way, shuttling cars, staying in lodges, CGs & cabins and keeping costs down and enjoying great trips. Maybe you don't like my plans and the way I am doing the AT, but to just condemn me without any knowledge of what my plans are is uncalled for. You take a well meaning honest person who likes taking groups of individuals outdoors and leading hikes and makes me want to say why bother. I will just go with a couple of friends and not have to deal with the aggravation. Thanks for the witch hunt.”

“askus, you seem like a good person so I am sorry this worked out the way it did.

You should understand, though, that since you haven't posted much (if at all) on this board, no one has any idea who you are, and that coupled with the fact that you asked for money right up front made it look very suspicious. The vast majority of the trips that are planned on this board are:
(1) planned by people who are known, active members of this community
(2) free
(3) if not free, then the money is handled as an afterthought, sometimes the participants have to ask if they can reimburse the leader for the small expenses that were incurred

So you were an unknown asking up front for a lot more money than any of us are accustomed to paying for backpackig trips. You can see how it looked like either a scam or an advertisement from someone who wanted to make a profit.

We are good people on this board. It is quite easy to become an informal member-in-good-standing here and be part of the group. And there are lots of terrific people here to hike with.

So I invite you to stick around, which will work out fine as long as you don't judge our reaction to your trip posting too harshly.”

“I agree Aaron and I'm sorry. I'm surprised that matt reacted the way he did.

I read your full itinerary - sounds like an awesome trip, planned to the nth degree as you said - obviously a lot of time and energy went in to planning this trip. Have a great time and enjoy yourself!
Someday I'll take you up on that offer to hike with you in the Catskills - I know it will be a great trip, and I hope you'll join me here in Maine sometime! :)

After all these years I'm surprised to find that something said/done on TT could embarrass me.”

“oops :(”

“dayhiker has been ripping TT'rs off for years, and we need to protect ourselves from vermin like that. Sorry about the hard feelings, I think we all now know your intentions were righteous.”

“I agree with Fritz on this one.”

“yeah I am sorry. I was wondering why you charge $100, so I posted this thread. I did not ask Matt personally about it thought

I am sorry, ya hear? (on my knees bagging for forgivness) <---and I don't do that very much!”

“Will pictures of this be going onto Webshots Gemini? .... please ;o)”

“Oh and as for the fee confusion, just make things clearer next time. Lesson learned by all :o)”

“:) ynami”

“dayhiker doesn't rip us off, he just tries to kill us! WAR DAMN EAGLE!”

“askiss36 was lacking in credentials. We need to see credentials.”

“New here, but I've been fortunate enough to meet Aaron, on the top of Baxter Peak. This guy is a real good guy. I'd hike with him anytime! BTW, he is closing in on his NH48, so if ya'll just behave, and invite yourselves, you would certainly have a great hike.

Real nice to see that folks had the good sense to listen to his side. Quite impressive!

Good hiking to all of you! SherpaK”

“Sherpakroto, welcome to the nuthouse. This place takes some getting used to, but for anyone looking for not only excellent backpacking info but also a few hundred friends to do it with--there is no better place.”

“I have hiked with askus several times, and would be on the 100 mile trip but for a conflict.askus is possibly the most honest and organized person I know .He plans trips to the greatest detail, and accounts for all expenses. askus's time spent planning, and reporting after the trip is FREE OF CHARGE.”

“Free is aways a good thing.


8)”

“My wife and I are going on the 100 mile trip, as we have gone to week long trips at the White Mountains organized by askus. The guy puts an amazing amount of effort in planning ahead. Any money spent on these trips is minutely accounted for and it is never a question of having his own expenses covered.”

“OK, y'all can quit defending this guy's honor now. We get it.”

“:o) for all future reference, when people need to pay expenses then just explain what they are going to cover. No confusion then.”

“Ok, Buddha Bear and I are planning a [mechanized] hike to the best strip joints in the Eastern United States.

If each of the TrailTalkers will sign up for this trip and send $5000 each, we will ensure that you won't be disappointed.

We will even through in a complimentary polaroid at your favorite club as a momento of the most excellent adventure.”