Hi, i've been reading these forums for a while and figured i'd make my first post.
So i'm entering my freshmen year of college and am doing a pre-orientation hiking trip. It is four days of hiking in Western Connecticut and Massachusetts (i believe we are hiking part of the Appalachian Trail). I'll be in a group of about ten other students and a person from a wilderness school in CT (great hollow wilderness school). I am quite looking forward to this trip as a way to meet some of my new classmates and hopefully do some quality hiking (I even got a new backpack for this trip).
So I got the list of equipment to bring about a week ago (a very basic list with out many details and somewhat lacking). On the list of what not to bring it said no knives of any type. Like many people here, I always EDC a good folder and feel naked with out it, and I wouldn't even dream of going on a long hiking trip with out at least a SAK.
So I figured I would ask some people with more experience than I have. Should I go knifeless? Or should I bring a SAK or even my EDC (a kabar MULE), or forget i even read that and pack my RAT 5 (inside my backpack until i actually need it)?
Another odd thing is the list said no watches, which was happeed to be in bold and underlined. Any idea why they would say that?
Marzola,
This post has spawned some amazing topics for discussion...many of them following different tangents related to your original post...and that is great.
But I think there is unfortunately a relatively simple answer to your question that many of us here in this post, including myself, don't want to admit. I think from reading many of the posts here, that you paid $500 for this trip, it is offered through your university, and it is NOT required. If these points are indeed true, then I think you are in a position where you must abide by the rules of the organization you agreed to go with on this adventure, or not go. These are your only two options.
I know, I know...how could I possibly suggest that you knuckle-under to "the man" who is depriving your basic rights to carry a knife? I agree that this is a right we all have and should fight to protect. I hope I make that very clear.
However, you also have the "right" to choose to contract with this organization or not. I haven't read anywhere where you indicate that anyone is making you go on this trip. If so, then I think the rules change.
Also, you have already been made aware of this group's policy, regardless of how ridiculous it is. I don't think the right thing to do is to feign ignorance. It's an option of course, but is it realy the ethical one? I know, I know...someone will argue that it isn't "ethical" of this group not to let you bring a knife. I agree, but the fact appears to be that you had a choice to sign up for this trip or not. I think you absolutely have the right to ask for your money back after hearing that you can't bring a knife. I would think that if the group refused to give you a refund based on the fact that information was witheld at the time that you agreed to contract with this group (which you did by senidng them money), then you can, ethicallly, argue that you will bring whatever you feel necessary.
So, sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but perhaps a good life-lesson is in following the rules when you agree to follow a group's rules. You still have a choice; go and follow the rules, look for clarification and back out if they will not allow you to bring a knife, or don't go. The very fact that you posted this question in the first place tells me that you are at least somewhat concerned about doing what is right or you probably wouldn't have bothered to ask in the first place. Good for you. Have a great time, if you go. Hold your head high if you decide not to go.
-Tim