Re[2]: [at-l] Appalachian Trail: The Quick Way

[Bob Cummings <ellen@clinic.net> (Bob Cummings)]

"More times than I care to remember I've seen people use MacKaye as a club to
denigrate one "style" or another of thruhiking..." writes Jim or Ginny.

I don't think I "denigrated" any hiking style. I simply replied to a post that praised speed hiking
with the suggestion that the guy who began the idea of the Appalachian Trail especially disliked
speed hikers and explained my more leiesurely style of long distant hiking.

However, I agree with those who question the wisdom of speed hiking. It strikes me as a rather wasteful
way to use the opportunity to spend weeks on a trail.

Speed hike if you want, but the idea of records seems to me to be anthema to really understanding
the trail. But to each his own. Unless it damages the footpath and the enjoyment of other hikers,
folks can hike anyway they want, as far as I'm concerned.

Weary '93