[at-l] And now, a scenic break....

[TRich@FDIC.gov (Rich, Timothy D.)]

Greetings,

I think an intent to not encourage a trail activity is a choice and not a
condemnation of that activity.  I also think it's too close to a Memorial
and hiking weekend to be wound too tightly.  Before anyone gets cut to the
quick, or for that matter nails or stumps our Toe while painting him in the
wrong shade of dayglow red, relax.........

Tim

Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 09:02:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Sloetoe <sloetoe@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [at-l] And now, a scenic break....
To: rhymworm@mindspring.com
Cc: at-l@backcountry.net

--- rhymworm@mindspring.com wrote: It's not a terrible problem now,
> really, but I'll never be one to encourage trail-runners because I
> believe that a rapid pace, of any sort, is inherently foreign to the
> experience I value most while in the woods.

### Which puts us right back to ignorance/bigotry, unless I missed some
bit of logical transition in there, RW. You're saying your place in the
woods, in a moral scaling, ranks above that of the trail runner. And that
sucks: is, then, kahley's still-slower speed more correct than yours?

You know, I really hate the wilderness shrinking that goes on when people
buy the loud-colored backpacks and parka shells and ski hats. And I hate
the clickity-clackity of Leki-wielding hikers traversing a rocky passage.
And why can't we muzzle the Boy Scouts before they enter the woods? And
can't we just keep all the damn day hikers OUT of the long distance
trails, period? And the planes! JEEEZ, the planes: would it be SO much
trouble to reroute the jet paths so that I could get a mountain view
without having contrails lining out the clear skies like so many bad
economic forecasts? And the satellites at night; I mean, what's up with
that? Zipping across my night skies (those using tents need not worry
here) like some underbudget video game? And, like, can't they make a damn
Ziploc that doesn't make so much noise when the temperature goes below
freezing? And And And...... 

It *is* all about me, isn't it?
Princess Sloetoe

=====
Spatior, Nitor, Nitor, In Nitor!

From: rhymworm@mindspring.com
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 12:58:19 -0400
To: Sloetoe <sloetoe@yahoo.com>
Cc: rhymworm@mindspring.com, at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: Re: Re: [at-l] And now, a scenic break....

I dunno Toey. Is it ignorance and bigoted to tell you that it bothers me?
Should I just bite my tongue and resent it quietly? I also don't like
dealing with large-group expeditions I encounter on the Trail. Am I being
ignorant and bigoted toward groups when I say so?

Given the purposes and structure of the Trail, I won't argue that
trail-runners shouldn't have the right to enjoy it too. But that doesn't
mean I have to like it when they (or Leki-clattering fast backpackers, for
that matter) rush past me.

Yes, when Kahley doesn't move at all, she scores highest on your
hypothetical scale of moral purity. But it's difficult to see much of the
Trail when you're not moving at all. I guess it's relative. One of the seven
principles of Leave No Trace is to be considerate of others, part of which
means "minimizing intrusive behavior." It's easy enough to make the logical
case that the faster someone goes on the Trail, the more intrusive they
become. Until you can run at lightspeed, and I don't see you at all, I'd say
that a runner who overtakes twenty hikers is by definition being more
intrusive than a hiker who overtakes two or three. If you want me to go
through a tedious logical proof of that, I'll be happy to do so off-list.

Actually, I didn't set out to make a moral point, just to let you know that
it bugs me, a fellow traveler. What you do with that information is entirely
up to you. I expect you'll run with it.

-- Rhymin' Worm

Sloetoe <sloetoe@yahoo.com> wrote:
> --- rhymworm@mindspring.com wrote: It's not a terrible problem now,>
really, but I'll never be one to encourage trail-runners because I
> believe that a rapid pace, of any sort, is inherently foreign to the
> experience I value most while in the woods.

### Which puts us right back to ignorance/bigotry, unless I missed some
bit of logical transition in there, RW. You're saying your place in the
woods, in a moral scaling, ranks above that of the trail runner. And that
sucks: is, then, kahley's still-slower speed more correct than yours?