[at-l] State of the List

[wb4pan@mindspring.com (Chase Davidson)]

Yo,

	Grey Owl I expect many folks have made the same observations. Thank you
for posting your thoughts. I wish you would consider and think about
posting your trip reports and hiker related stuff. 
	I personally enjoy hiker journals and gear stuff a lot more than I do
philosophy and politics. Matter of fact I am inspecting "Ice Axes"
thinking I may need one sooner or later on the PCT as I start my section
hike. An outfitter in Burlington, VT recommended an axe that was very
light only 9 oz. He said this one was good for PCT cause ya never expect
to use it. However he said if you used it to chop steps in the ice the
head may break off. It's only $59. but once the head breaks off its
worth zilch. So I kind off like the Air Tech Racer at 10 oz instead. He
said it would last a lifetime. Since I never been there or done that I
would like to hear other travelers thoughts on "ice axes" and the PCT or
CDT. Errr please change the subject line to reflect your reply hahaha.
	Hey Im one of those ounce weenies! But I do not take offense if you are
not. Recently on completing my section hike of the Long Trail ending up
at Killington. When my ride arrived at the INN at the LT there were
several AT north bounders packing up large packs. We had been having
nice trail talk earlier. My pack was over behind them and I had to reach
over and pick up my pack,,,,with two fingers:-). "Ah ultralight, the
only way to go" I said out loud. The AT hikers eyes got big when they
saw how effortlessly I lifted my pack. One of them replied to my
statement "well obviously that is not the ONLY way to go" looking at the
large packs sitting there. Naturally I replied "well of course not"
"There are as many ways as there are hikers".
	Please do not let a few hot heads run you off or keep you from
contributing to the list. They will cool off sooner or later and
continue to offer there input too. 
	I have never had to put anyone on automatic delete. I got pretty close
twice. Once before wingoot went back in the closet or formed his on list
and once with that City Slicker Fellow who also either left or wised up
and changed his name. LOL


chase

p.s. I just caught up on Fanny Packs Journal. Boy is it full of PCT
information.


greyowl@rcn.com wrote:
> 
> Hey Gang,
> 
> I am coming out of my lurker mode to make a few comments about
> the list.  The opinions expressed here are my own and only my
> own.  I do not expect anyone to agree with me and if you disagree,
> please do not post your disagreement to the list!
> 
> Several weeks ago I e-mailed a personal message to Kahley (Who
> by the way is a terrific person and I have had the honour of
> meeting) and I signed it Bob Dudley formerly Grey Owl.  Kahley
> wanted to know why I had made this decision.  I replied that one
> day I would post my thoughts to the list, but not at that time as
> "the children are testy".  Boy you guys are really testy.  The list
> has gone through a couple of divorces, several deaths, and other
> personal problems and lots of joy with marriages, birth of children
> or the completion of hikes.  We have had limerick contests, writing
> contests and we have raised money for good causes.  But recently
> the tone of the list has changed.  Solar Bear is gone (and I miss
> him) and where are you K.C.  (aka Wareagle)?  Does Pitts still
> monitor the list?  Yes we had our disagreements but the list was
> more or less about the trail and all things related.  Now the list is
> about ego.  I would have said male ego but everyone seems to
> have an over inflated ego.  I list my mail by thread and I filter out
> certain people because life is too short to read their rants and
> raves.  I really never liked the ounce weenies, but I learned a lot
> from them and they were not as obnoxious as some of the people
> on this list.
> 
> So what is one individual to do?  Well, for one thing I am taking a
> lot of hikes and spending time with my family.  I lurk on the list and
> occasionally comment.  Often I write replies to posting, but never
> send them.  Why take the bait?  A few of you have received
> messages from me off list and I would like to remain in touch with
> some of the people on this list, but I think that it will be a long time
> before I post a trip report or take part in a conversation on this list.
> 
> Bob Dudley
> aka Grey Owl
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