[at-l] Best Blue Blazes

[rickboudrie@hotmail.com (rick boudrie)]

>Blue blazes aren't necessarily shorter, easier, more or less scenic.  
> >They're different, which is what most people are that hike the >trails.  
>Try not to feel like you're doing anything wrong if you don't >take the all 
>white blazes, because you're not.
>


Makes sence to me, Sly.

What I can't figure out is why so many (thousands) of people have felt 
compelled to fill out a formal application attesting to having passed all 
the white blazes (yes, it refers to them), when they have not.

Hell, I take it one step further.  I can't even understand why so many 
people who have actually hiked past all the blazes bother to inform the ATC. 
  My excuse was the prodding of a proud stage father.

I wonder if any listed "2000 Milers" on this list who did not pass all the 
white blazes would care to share how and why they decided to tell the ATC 
that they hiked the Trail "pure"?  I have missed that pespective entirely.  
Occasionally we hear from people who claim/are purists.  Occasionally we 
hear from people who have hiked essentially all the Trail but did not 
regsiter as 2000 milers. They are the smallest and most honorable group of 
all, IMO.  But we never hear from the majority of today's thru-hikers who 
fall in this first catagory. Never.  Not once.  I'll listen and pehaps I 
learn something but I am not holding my breath.

BTW, if you think I should "hike my own hike", think again.  What I am 
talking about has absolutely nothing to do with hiking.  It has to do with 
filling out a form, after a hike.  So, if I am to be critisized, let it be 
on the basis of "live your own life".  Blue blazing is fine by me.  All 
hiking is good.  Except for the parts that suck, that is.


Rick B

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