Ken:
I agree -- I've never really understood the alcohol stove thing. Seems kind of obsessive compulsive by some... .
But NPS does usually send someone down to give a pep talk at their hiker-launch get together. Not sure they talk about fire danger though. In the parks, that's not usually an issue. I'll pass that on, though, for the next crew that goes down there.
In addition, I also have to say that PCT hikers don't seem totally into the program. A disproportionate number of them seem to be ONLY into mileage and not into respecting and taking care of the land they're moving (very fast) thorough. Boy Scouts, at least, have the excuse of poor leadership. PCT hikers don't have that.
g.
