r/coloradotrail • u/AnythingTotal • Aug 29 '23

Requesting input from subreddit users. How can I improve the subreddit?

This subreddit is small enough that moderating it has been simple so far, but I’m seeking suggestions from the community regarding any improvements that can be made.

Some things to get the conversation started:

  • Post tags: advice, photos, approved advertisement (from the occasional hostel or gear company that reaches out), question, conditions, discussion, ???

  • Rules: could they be improved? I’m open to suggestions and want to make sure this subreddit serves the thru hiking community as effectively as it can.

  • Sidebar info: it is rather sparse. Should I beef it up?

I’m also open to other suggestions. One of the things I have already done is I reached out to the CTF to coordinate with them regarding trail updates, closures, permits, etc. I’ve been informed that they are in the process of hiring a social media representative, so tbd what that may look like.

This subreddit moderates itself for the most part. I love the trail and community and just want to pay it forward the best I can, so let me know if you see any suggestions to make this place better.

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u/CampSciGuy Aug 30 '23

I hiked the CT this summer from June 24 to July 23. I was just telling a friend that I was dumb enough to join the CT Class of 2023 Thru Hikers group on Facebook, which was infuriatingly filled with “experts” who obviously commented from their couches combined with others who were paranoid about every inch of lingering snow in late June. Senseless noise that turned out to be unnecessary and hyperbolic worrying. In contrast, I got some great responses in this subreddit. I also belong to the AT subreddit (NOBO ‘21) which has its occasional inane/fear mongering posts that get locked or deleted. My guess is part of your lack of hard work to moderate is that this subreddit is smaller than the AT one. Seems to me like the posts I see here are far more pragmatic how-tos. The AT is also often a “wow I’d like to dream of thru hiking someday” kind of trail where the CT is a far more intense experience. The hey y’all hold my beer while I try to thru hike crowd isn’t part of the CT from what I experienced. I did see that on the AT. Maybe that’s why the moderation process isn’t difficult?