Originally Posted by
Dogwood
I had no cell reception at the pass twice using different carriers on those two times I was hiking with a cell or smart ph. If you have no cell reception at the pass use that info to your advantage if you get to talk to anyone while seeking a ride. I typically say something like "I was trying to get a taxi or shuttle but I'm getting no cell service." Then they typically try on their phones getting no service. That's further engagement leading to empathy. They now can feel what I feel. That's the time to pull out the pics of the children and wife and offer $. That's the time to emphasize again your j u u u s t a hiker needing to to be responsible for contacting his family, check in with his son seeing how he's doing in school, etc and needing to get into town for food. Interchangeably use the word food with resupply. Manipulation it is but so is sticking a thumb out standing on the side of a Hwy, getting a child to clean his room, getting that career raise or contract signed, loan approved, or buying a heart shaped box of chocolates and dozen roses during Valentine's Day. FWIW, I used to perceive(strongly bitch) about out of state tourists having the tendency to not agree to rides. I've changed my tone on it though. It may take some more finesse but I decided it better to target my approach and efforts specifically to these folks. I note I get many more rides from this group as a result. I have much fewer problems getting a ride(not hitching in the typical sense) getting rides from out of state tourists in GSMNP at/to Fontana Dam, Newfound Gap, Davenport Gap area, Bryson City TN, Cherokee NC, S NP THs, Baxter SP, DWG, to Amicalola Falls SP, etc. CT and VT is still the toughest to get rides from out of state tourists, commonly bluebloods from Boston or urbanite NYers. But VT makes up for it with the outdoorsy friendly and ex "Hippie" and organic types who love their Long Trail.