View Full Version : What happened at Traildays?
Chaco Taco
06-19-2007, 21:03
I have been hearing that something went down at Traildays this year. Not trying to stir things up, I guess Im just a little curious as to what happened. I am hearing tempers flarred. I did hear that it was a big ole party.
Anyway, if anyone could point me in the direction of finding out what happened I would be grateful
Fannypack
06-19-2007, 21:22
what happens at Trail Days stays in Damascus..
wilconow
06-19-2007, 22:33
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24692
jettjames
06-19-2007, 22:45
I know what went down. me. after drinking too much in billville. dam you baltimore jack, dam you. :)
joking, I love jack!
pt
Chaco Taco
06-19-2007, 23:47
OK I get it now. Goodness. Sorry for bringing it up WB Admins.
Lone Wolf
06-20-2007, 09:32
I have been hearing that something went down at Traildays this year. Not trying to stir things up, I guess Im just a little curious as to what happened. I am hearing tempers flarred. I did hear that it was a big ole party.
Anyway, if anyone could point me in the direction of finding out what happened I would be grateful
just a bunch of thievery and drunkeness. par for the course for trail days
Overpass
06-21-2007, 00:04
Why the hell were those "Riff-raff" ******** allowed back into Trail Days??? Last year, after a 14-year old staggered out of their campsite and ended up in a coma from alcohol poisioning, followed up by the riff-raff ******** leaving their campsite a huge mess for others to clean up, it was vowed that the'd never be allowed to return. They were allowed to return? ***? :confused:
Overpass
06-21-2007, 00:19
Referring to posts #54 and #55. in this thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15094&page=3&highlight=coma
Again , why were these "Riff-Raff" idiots allowed back into Damascus at all?
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-21-2007, 06:10
The dinos did not see the riff-raff this year or tail smacking would have commenced. The dinos time was seriously limited at TD's this year (three grandchildren graduated HS and a future son-in-law graduated college the week of TD)
Lone Wolf
06-21-2007, 07:25
Referring to posts #54 and #55. in this thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15094&page=3&highlight=coma
Again , why were these "Riff-Raff" idiots allowed back into Damascus at all?
cuz they promised to be good little boys and girls and clean up their mess.
Overpass
06-21-2007, 12:33
cuz they promised to be good little boys and girls and clean up their mess.
So...did they?
More importantly, did they apologize AT ALL for their ******* behavior last year? :-?
Chaco Taco
06-21-2007, 16:08
Ew, Im sorry I opened this can of worms. However, I do agree with LW, TD's days are numbered unfortunately
Jack Tarlin
06-21-2007, 18:26
All our days are numbered, Lowspark.
How many Trail Days have you attended, anyway, and when? :-?
Chaco Taco
06-21-2007, 20:20
Never been, just making a statement from stories I have heard from friends that have gone. A friend of mine had an altercation with a group of nonhikers and basically decided he would never attend again. I have always wanted to go so I could meet some of the great people from WB. Unfortunately, I work 3 jobs so I can afford to just go hiking.
RedneckRye
06-21-2007, 20:47
Why the hell were those "Riff-raff" ******** allowed back into Trail Days??? Last year, after a 14-year old staggered out of their campsite and ended up in a coma from alcohol poisioning, followed up by the riff-raff ******** leaving their campsite a huge mess for others to clean up, it was vowed that the'd never be allowed to return. They were allowed to return? ***? :confused:
I didn't realize there was a group that got to decide who could or could not come to Trail Days.
RedneckRye
06-21-2007, 20:49
Never been, just making a statement from stories I have heard from friends that have gone. A friend of mine had an altercation with a group of nonhikers and basically decided he would never attend again. I have always wanted to go so I could meet some of the great people from WB. Unfortunately, I work 3 jobs so I can afford to just go hiking.
If you want to go to an actual HIKER event, the ALDHA Gathering in October is a much more useful and interesting weekend.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-21-2007, 21:08
I'll second ALDHA's gathering being much more about hikers and hiking than TD. Some partying goes on in the evenings at ALDHA, but not the all out partying that goes on at TD.
Lone Wolf
06-22-2007, 08:13
If you want to go to an actual HIKER event, the ALDHA Gathering in October is a much more useful and interesting weekend.
in total agreement
Old Grouse
06-22-2007, 11:49
Let me beg your pardon in advance for being long winded here.
Many of you have probably heard of the annual motorcycle gathering in New Hampshire usually referred to as "Laconia," although the races never took place in that small city. At first (i.e. before most every reader here was alive), the races were held on the roads within the county-owned Belknap Mountain Recreational Area in Gilford. Later they were moved to a newly created race track farther south in Louden (this, in expanded form, is now New Hampshire International Speedway). In the early years the races attracted a small but avid crowd of bikers - nothing the locals couldn't deal with, especially since their money was green. Then in the 60s things got out of hand with riots at nearby Weirs Beach, the deployment of the National Guard, etc. Then after a few stagnant years, the event has become much bigger. More importantly, it's become institutionalized.
All this description of what's happened at Trail Days makes me think that it's going through a similar cycle (no pun intended), and that eventually it will be so institutionalized that the old timers (that's everyone now reading this) won't even recognize it. I'm not saying next year there'll be riots and the NG called out - just that the pattern is remarkably similar so far.
OG
The Weasel
06-22-2007, 13:45
OG:
Laughlin, NV is much the same these days. Sonny Barger can hardly recognize it, I suspect.
I think it's more likely to become like the famous "New Baltimore [Michigan] Fish Fly Festival," and essentially become a rides-and-cotton-candy-and-tee-shirts type of ho hum small town event. Damascus has a major opportunity to hold on to something important, but will need to do so with the kind of careful handling that is hard for towns its size. I hope the town makes some very intense efforts with the leaders here (not just our Admins, although they are key) in terms of being respected by the Trail Community regardless of their proximity to Damascus. (If anyone is reading, that would almost certainly include Jack Tarlin, Wolf, Dino, and others.) It would also mean some close contact with people from ALDHA, as well as TrailPlace, to get the word out about the limits of behavior and then to be very non-HYOH about violations at Trail Days. (By that, I mean that most hikers are pretty much HYOH in approach even on zero days, but there is a need to be a bit different under these circumstances. What's acceptable at a trail shelter among 10 people or so isn't acceptable in a town with several hundred hikers.)
Yes, Laconia and Laughlin are now theme parks, and the glory (and danger) are gone from them. I hope Damascus works hard to keep the glory while eliminating most of the risk of danger.
The Weasel
The Weasel
Overpass
06-22-2007, 17:50
IMO, the hiker community missed a major opportunity to turn the tide this year by failing to make good on vows to hold the "Riff-Raff" ******** accountable for their behavior last year.
They should have been turned around at the gate and had their stupid asses escorted out of town with promises of arrest if they returned. THAT would have sent a huge statement to the hiker community that ******* behavior at TD simply will NOT be tolerated.
Jack Tarlin
06-22-2007, 20:54
Overpass......
Calm yourself and re-read your post. You're making a big deal out of a relatively small matter. And if "a******" behavior was grounds for exclusion at TD, well, you'd have to hire a separate security staff to handle the several hundred people you'd be throwing out every year.
Honestly, this is much ado about nothing. There were a bunch of skilletheads at Trail Days, as always.....and oddly enough, no major problems.
There are more important things for the "community" to be worrying about.
The Scribe
06-22-2007, 21:07
As a NH native, and a Laconia-area former resident, I concur. When the event was for the people it was intended for (local bike enthusiasts) one could pitch a tent on the side of the road for the duration. Then things grow, get more popular, and morph into something it wasn't really intended to be.
Bike Week morphed for any number of reasons. It was exploited (why would area business and governments NOT try to get a piece of the action?), the resulting NHIS (New Hampshire International Speedway) from the old "Miracle Mile" and the surrounding infrastructure can handle 115,000 people for Nextel Cup races.
It is now the BIG THING for the lakes region of New Hampshire and now lasts 7-10 days.
As far as Damascus goes, it's a shame people abuse their welcome. But Damascus, and TrailDays is NOT Laconia or bike week. Since a vast majority of people stay and celebrate Trail Days in public spaces (I assume the town owns the campground area) the I would think the town has the right to send anyone on their way at their discretion.
I applaud the town for their lenience and patience. At the entrance to the campground this year was a notice from the cops that the Open Container Ordinance would be enforced, then made suggestions about using a cup, or Nalgene or whatever. A town willing to be that flexible should earn the respect of everyone involved. Respect that includes being a good house guest.
The town (and it's authorities) bend over backwards for Trail Days and what they have to put up with. I would totally defend them if they sent people packing for wearing out their welcome. It might be the only way to keep it going in the long term.
Scribe
smokymtnsteve
06-22-2007, 21:07
once you get a bunch of folks all together drinking plenty of dat ole demon alkyhol ,,,yoy are guaranteded to have problems it is the inevitable outcome.
once a person gets a few drinks in them. their judgement is impaired.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-22-2007, 21:28
I have a question about the Riff-Raff - are these people former hikers? Does anyone know them? Where they are from? While I don't want that info spelled out here, it might not be a bad idea for those who plan TD to be given their names and locations so they can let them know that they will absolutely, positively be arrested if they show up at TD and do this again. While I'm not one to be for arresting people for partying, these people have crossed the line from partying to being a real nuisance IMO -- and they need to stay home if they can't behave.
As for the thefts -- perhaps a few packs need to be rigged with alarms or some dummy packs need to be rigged with dye-packs next year so the theives can be caught red handed.
As for the thefts -- perhaps a few packs need to be rigged with alarms or some dummy packs need to be rigged with dye-packs next year so the theives can be caught red handed.
Claymores would be more effective. They wouldn't be back next year. ;)
Chaco Taco
06-23-2007, 01:46
I have a question about the Riff-Raff - are these people former hikers? Does anyone know them? Where they are from? While I don't want that info spelled out here, it might not be a bad idea for those who plan TD to be given their names and locations so they can let them know that they will absolutely, positively be arrested if they show up at TD and do this again. While I'm not one to be for arresting people for partying, these people have crossed the line from partying to being a real nuisance IMO -- and they need to stay home if they can't behave.
As for the thefts -- perhaps a few packs need to be rigged with alarms or some dummy packs need to be rigged with dye-packs next year so the theives can be caught red handed.
Looking at some of the responses it would be hard to tell who are "riff-raff". I mean, even by meeting me, I would appear as "riff-raff". You cant judge on appearance. I would be one who would step up to help control situations if they got out of hand. I do believe that those who are non hikers should be singled out and asked to leave because they have no place, but we will never be able to pick those out as TD grows. Now, I have never been to TD so I cannot really give too much of an opinion on the subject, BUT from my past experiences with "gatherings" like this, the best thing is security. I do hope that this gathering will get better because I want to go so much, i want to meet people like Lone Wolf and Jack Tarlin and Starlyte ( you're awesome), and Sgt Rock. I wish that there could be something to turn this into a more educational weekend for hikers, instead of a party. I respect the idea so much as I respect the town. Lets figure something out as a forum to make this gathering more about a celebration of the AT than an excuse to get messed up and throw down. Even though i have never met the people of this forum, I respect them and I want to be able to gather and shoot the stuff with them because they have helped me become a better hiker and respect the trail more! Thats all I have to say about that! You guys rock!
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-23-2007, 05:56
Claymores would be more effective. They wouldn't be back next year. ;)Effective, but noisy and quite messy - not to mention te legal problems that would ensue. :D
Overpass
06-23-2007, 11:41
Looking at some of the responses it would be hard to tell who are "riff-raff". I mean, even by meeting me, I would appear as "riff-raff". You cant judge on appearance. ...I have never been to TD
If you'd actually attended TD, especially the 2006 one, you'd know that there is a definate group who calls themselves "The Riff-Raff". Just like there is a group called Billville and another grouping last year called "Ewok Village". The Riff-Raff group kept most of the campground up all night by screaming
"RIFFF-RAFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
at the top of their lungs every 10 minutes or so.
There are photos of this Riff-Raff group, along with the huge trashy mess they left when they abandoned their encampment.
I have a question about the Riff-Raff - are these people former hikers? Does anyone know them? Where they are from? While I don't want that info spelled out here, it might not be a bad idea for those who plan TD to be given their names and locations so they can let them know that they will absolutely, positively be arrested if they show up at TD and do this again. While I'm not one to be for arresting people for partying, these people have crossed the line from partying to being a real nuisance IMO -- and they need to stay home if they can't behave.
As for the thefts -- perhaps a few packs need to be rigged with alarms or some dummy packs need to be rigged with dye-packs next year so the theives can be caught red handed.
Riff-Raffs are a group of 06 hikers..............now with many more members.
Overpass
06-23-2007, 12:36
You're making a big deal out of a relatively small matter. .. Honestly, this is much ado about nothing.
IMO, a 15-year old collapsing into a near-fatal coma from alcohol poisoning is neither "a relatively small matter"" nor "much ado about nothing". :-?
Jack Tarlin
06-23-2007, 13:27
To Lowspark and others:
For those who wish that Trail Days become more of an educational event, I VERY strongly suggest that you guys try and attend the annual gathering of the Appalachian Long-Distance Hiker's Association, which will be be held this year in Gettysburg, PA.
It is a wonderful event and a great organization. Check out www.aldha.org for details; as summer proceeds, and it gets closer to October, there will be lots more information posted on events, programs, speakers, etc. This is also a really great event to attend for those in the planning/preparation stage of a long hike, especially an A.T. thru-hike.
To Lowspark and others:
For those who wish that Trail Days become more of an educational event, I VERY strongly suggest that you guys try and attend the annual gathering of the Appalachian Long-Distance Hiker's Association, which will be be held this year in Gettysburg, PA.
It is a wonderful event and a great organization. Check out www.aldha.org (http://www.aldha.org) for details; as summer proceeds, and it gets closer to October, there will be lots more information posted on events, programs, speakers, etc. This is also a really great event to attend for those in the planning/preparation stage of a long hike, especially an A.T. thru-hike.
Beware, ALDHA is a front for Billville. Also, AMC is a front for the not-so-defunct HoboCentral and the ATC is the political arm of a group of southbounders, mainly culled from the 1985-1987 seasons. Dubbed the External Denim Gang or the EDG because of their external frame packs and too short denim shorts, they are responsible for most blowdowns on the trail over the last 25 years.
Chaco Taco
06-23-2007, 16:33
To Lowspark and others:
For those who wish that Trail Days become more of an educational event, I VERY strongly suggest that you guys try and attend the annual gathering of the Appalachian Long-Distance Hiker's Association, which will be be held this year in Gettysburg, PA.
It is a wonderful event and a great organization. Check out www.aldha.org (http://www.aldha.org) for details; as summer proceeds, and it gets closer to October, there will be lots more information posted on events, programs, speakers, etc. This is also a really great event to attend for those in the planning/preparation stage of a long hike, especially an A.T. thru-hike.
Thanks dude!
Overpass
06-23-2007, 16:53
To Lowspark and others:
For those who wish that Trail Days become more of an educational event, I VERY strongly suggest that you guys try and attend the annual gathering of the Appalachian Long-Distance Hiker's Association, which will be be held this year in Gettysburg, PA.
Thanks, Jack. After many years of never missing Trail Days, we skipped it this year. Each year it got less and less about the Trail and more and more like a big stupid drunken frat party. The whole Riff-Raff/coma kid debacle last year was the final straw and hearing about all the thefts this year makes us very glad we didn't attend. Thanks for the heads up that there is an alternative. Gettysburg in October will be so pretty too.
Lone Wolf
06-23-2007, 17:10
http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-06-23-0014.html this could explain why the cops were so lenient at trail days:D
Chef2000
06-23-2007, 17:21
That is amazing.
http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-06-23-0014.html this could explain why the cops were so lenient at trail days:D
Wow! ..........
What an intressting little burg we live in........it appears the crime is in the police department! Big stuff for my first week in town! (god, I can't wait till my mom gets wind of this.....)
Footnotes
06-23-2007, 18:22
Not much different that the White House and Justice Dept. I wonder what his party affiliation is?:D
http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-06-23-0014.html this could explain why the cops were so lenient at trail days:D
LW, Keep us posted, my guess is that within a week half of the police department and town officials will be arrested. Wait till they audit the evidence locker and find out what's missing. His arrests and prosecutions will now be appealed and overturned. Same thing happened in my little town. The entire police department was arrested.
mweinstone
06-23-2007, 19:34
who was it that got their mug shot , i mean picture taken in the golf buggie with cheif? mala? jack?
mweinstone
06-23-2007, 19:36
i thaught the cheif was really cool. i hope its a mistake.
camojack
06-23-2007, 19:41
i thaught the cheif was really cool. i hope its a mistake.
Me too, on both counts. :-?
Lone Wolf
06-23-2007, 20:40
http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-06-23-0014.html this could explain why the cops were so lenient at trail days:D
i don't mean to make light of this. it's pretty serious. drugs suck. the chief was a friendly, outgoing guy. you just never know...
The Old Fhart
06-23-2007, 21:15
I just uploaded a photo I took of the Chief with Mala (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=17231&c=689) at Trail Days last year. He seemed to be a nice guy.
smokymtnsteve
06-23-2007, 22:05
then he is a nice guy...some nice guys like to do a little meth..so what ????
Lone Wolf
06-23-2007, 22:41
then he is a nice guy...some nice guys like to do a little meth..so what ????
you dopers are all the same
smokymtnsteve
06-23-2007, 22:50
you dopers are all the same
LW I've never even seen any Meth...
seems that the drinkers of dat ole demon alkyhol caused the trouble at Trail days...
The Old Fhart
06-23-2007, 23:48
Smokymtnsteve-"seems that the drinkers of dat ole demon alkyhol caused the trouble at Trail days..." So you're stating that all those packs at Trail Days were stolen by drunks? Come on, what are you smoking?:rolleyes:
"As Damascus Turns": Witness the growing pains a small town endures when hiker trash meets up with a small mountain bedroom community. Who is to blame for the sudden decline into the depths of depravity? The answer might suprise you.http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1764124
Dances with Mice
06-24-2007, 08:12
i don't mean to make light of this. it's pretty serious. drugs suck. the chief was a friendly, outgoing guy. you just never know...Well there's one thing we do know ... there's a job opening that is difficult to fill. But there's one man already in town who is qualified for the job. His community needs him. It's time for him to do what must be done.
"Chief Wolf". Yeah. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
StarLyte
06-24-2007, 08:42
Hey....thanx for the ALDHA plug Redneck :D
I love all hiker events...hope to meet you some of you in Gettysburg this year.
Great thread.
I have been hearing that something went down at Traildays this year. Not trying to stir things up, I guess Im just a little curious ...........etc,etc,etc,...........................
the Sheriff got drunk, stumbled down Main Street during the Hiker Parade, passed out, his Deputies pee-ed on him & then set him on fire...
as the fire was a-blazing....the hikers, led by Lone Wolf ...doused the flames & saved the day! :D
smokymtnsteve
06-24-2007, 16:21
So you're stating that all those packs at Trail Days were stolen by drunks? Come on, what are you smoking?:rolleyes:
mayB the drunks forgot whar they left they packs?:rolleyes:
alkyhol use is a big cause of trouble,
is U sayin all the dunrkardness is a good thang?
The Old Fhart
06-24-2007, 17:11
Smokeymtnsteve-"alkyhol use is a big cause of trouble,
is U sayin all the dunrkardness is a good thang?"Alcohol use isn't a problem and only someone under the influence of drugs would say that. Alcohol abuse is another thing entirely and most straight people can tell the difference, sorry if that confuses you.
smokymtnsteve
06-24-2007, 18:16
alkyhol IS a drug...the most widely used and abused drug in all the world...
it's use is at the root of a lot of our society's problems.
so someone drinking and under alkyhol's influence would say that it's not a problem,,,sorry if you can't see that,
mite oughta put the plug in the jug...
Lone Wolf
06-24-2007, 18:21
alkyhol IS a drug...the most widely used and abused drug in all the world...
it's use is at the root of a lot of our society's problems.
so someone drinking and under alkyhol's influence would say that it's not a problem,,,sorry if you can't see that,
mite oughta put the plug in the jug...
take the weed from you then you'd be a whining baby. you got a crutch.
mweinstone
06-24-2007, 18:26
there are no drugs. just medicins missused.
smokymtnsteve
06-24-2007, 18:27
take the weed from you then you'd be a whining baby. you got a crutch.
actually LW I have not been smokin lately..my MJ use was/is MEDICAL,
I have changed my Protease Inhibitor so I'm not suffering from as many side effects, so I don't need the medical MJ at the moment.
you still on the wagon yoreself?
smokymtnsteve
06-24-2007, 18:28
there are no drugs. just medicins missused.
larin to spellin ..dats medysin
The Old Fhart
06-24-2007, 22:29
Smokeymtnweed-"alkyhol IS a drug...the most widely used and abused drug in all the world...
it's use is at the root of a lot of our society's problems.
so someone drinking and under alkyhol's influence would say that it's not a problem,,,sorry if you can't see that,
mite oughta put the plug in the jug..."Your reading comprehension is nil. I never said alcohol wasn't a drug- that is what you wanted to read thru your smoky haze. Second, 'it's[sic] use' as you say isn't the root of society's problems, misuse is. You illogic is the same as saying someone recklessly drives a car and kills someone else therefore all cars are inherently evil-pure BS.
What I find as the height of hypocrisy is some sanctimonious person like you who's sole agenda is pushing the illegal use of drugs lecturing others on substance abuse! I'm not surprised you had trouble reading and understanding what I wrote. BTW, most people get more alcohol from using mouthwash than I consume.:rolleyes:
The discussion was on the theft of packs at Trail Days and you claim drunks did it. It is far more likely that some of your fellow stoners stole the packs to sell and suport their habits, although, unlike you, I'm not going to claim that as a fact.
smokymtnsteve
06-24-2007, 22:46
Alcohol use isn't a problem and only someone under the influence of drugs would say that. Alcohol abuse is another thing entirely and most straight people can tell the difference, sorry if that confuses you.
since alkyhol is a drug someone drinkin alkyhol IS under the influence of a drug.
jist like medical MJ use isn't a problem, or MJ use for that matter...MJ abuse is another thing entirely, most folks not under the influence of alkyhol or drunkards can tell the difference, sorry U is confused.
The Old Fhart
06-24-2007, 23:40
Smokeymtnweed-"since alkyhol is a drug someone drinkin alkyhol IS under the influence of a drug.
jist like medical MJ use isn't a problem, or MJ use for that matter...MJ abuse is another thing entirely, most folks not under the influence of alkyhol or drunkards can tell the difference, sorry U is confused."You stoners just don't get it. Someone who has one drink is not legally or technically drunk but someone smoking a joint is instantly in violation of the law.
The point still stands: you are not in a position to lecture anyone on substance abuse because are a user and openly advocate doing it illegally. Plus you try to tie every event from the theft of packs to the new moon to alcohol use. You have zero credibility. give it a rest-please.