I think that's the gist of it, or at least a common sense policy easily enforced.
This offseason I still think it's important to come up with a simple page or two as discussed so there is a clean set of guidelines to point to. (at least for the AT/PCT as discussed).
Once done- you can back that up from your end by holding off on posting or acknowledging the hike until documentation is provided.
Honestly probably makes it easier for you too. No pressure to verify, validate, or have an answer by press time.
"Congrats to so and so on a nice hike, looking forward to hearing the details."
I'd think some of the actual journalists would appreciate the extra time and space to follow up and do a real story for some of these hikes.
I have no idea if Gear Junkie had permission to spill Joe's beans before he even had a chance to post that he finished- but that sorta scoop starts a cascade of beating each other to press with junk blog posts that confirm each other. Hell, before Stringbean was down the trail or had a hot meal two or three "media" outlets had already announced his time. At that point even if Joe was going to try to do things right he got swept along as well. Before he had time to shake off the hypothermia and eat a big meal or sleep in his own bed the train had already left the station.
I'm a realist (on occasion) ... who doesn't want to get recognized for something like this. And when the interview requests come in the pressure is on to capitalize on your five minutes of fame before the ship sails. If you're a jerk to the media folks you're not going to get far. But if everyone (participant, fans, and media) understands the race isn't actually done until the documentation is turned in there will less pressure to tell the tale on the summit.
In that sense valid FKT's (which Joe may very well be) would probably appreciate a little backing and support from you and your site regarding turning in your documentation before being recognized.
They can give a quick blurb and promise to follow up when the job is done.
You're generally pretty messed up, especially the first day or two... so not exactly the time to be doing phone interviews with professional journalists either.
Get home, calm down, get your story together and share it. No claim until you turn one in.
The rules protect the hiker... enforcing this policy helps everyone.
Maybe the runners are used to press and people at the finish line, but hikers are not. It's bad enough walking off a trail after weeks and weeks of moving through the woods for any of us.
Joe didn't get that chance to complete his hike. Joey did. Hikers know it's not over just because you hit a sign or a trail head. You're in way too deep for a hike to end that abruptly.
In that sense Joey had a really great gift on this one. He wasn't a headline, so he got to finish for real.
He sat on the rock and watched the sunrise, hung around for the day at springer. Unwound, soaked it in, and slowly came back to earth.
He got a chance to say farewell for now to the trail and prepare for re-entry.
He got to sleep for 22 hours straight. He got to sleep in his own bed and even got to ski.
He got to actually finish his hike.