Re[2]: [at-l] Lekis and global warming

[Slyatpct@aol.com (Slyatpct@aol.com)]

Weary writes:



> As a trail maintainer, I've told of the damage I see from Lekis on this and
> other lists. It's obvious to me what is happening. But like the battle over
> lugged soles, we are a 'me first' society. We always find excuses to do
> convenient, if damaging things. It's in the human genes.
> 



You mean the heavily impacted, rain gutter they call the Appalachian Trail?  
Come on Weary, it's water and rain that causes erosion and not necessarily 
the loosened soil of Lekis or lugged soles.  It's just as easy to see 
evidence of a deer, bear or any other animal and when they gone, it's water 
that's taken them away, but for the most part, the same trail remains.

We all know the trail in Georgia has a tremendous amount of usage.  In the 
last five years, I've hiked it three times and made the short hike to 
Springer on several other occasions.  To me, the trail (less the relos) looks 
exactly the same as when I hiked the first time.  It's rocks, roots and dirt! 
 Exactly what kind of damage are you speaking of?  The little *unslightly* 
holes left by the steel tips?  I don't know of any crew, who's work project 
was to correct the damage caused by hiking sticks, your old wooden pole 
included.  You're making a mountain out of a molehill and virtually alone in 
the process, as few other trail maintainers feel the same as you do, at least 
the ones I've talked to.  I suppose they're happy to get out there and do the 
work, whatever has to be done, without griping as to the cause.  If there's a 
trench, I can only guess, the trail was in the wrong place in the first place 
or wasn't properly built.  In your best attempts, you'll never build a trail 
that's maintenance free and why would you want to?

Today, I had the pleasure of climbing Springer twice.  Once using my Lekis 
and the second time carrying a ladder for the GATC, to construct bear cables 
at the shelter area, without poles.  Except for a few footprints in the mud, 
it looked like nobody had climbed the mountain in days, as it did, first 
thing this morning.

Do Lekis scratch the rocks?  I don't think so, I've tried intentionally 
without result.  

If you, another trail maintainer, or Kahley can give me concrete evidence 
that Lekis cause actual and serious damage to the trail, lets hear it. 

Sly


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