Fw: [at-l] links to my recent NH and PA pics

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

As hikers pass over the trail they not only compress the soil but wear it 
away and scuff aside the leaves that fall in the footway. Falling leaves 
cover the other rocks and rot creating a loose cover that hides them where 
they are not disturbed. The moss may well be the result of pole use since 
it appears to be a fairly level section. The poles would loosen the soil so 
it would hold water better making it a better habitat for moss. I've seen 
similar patterns of growth by other plants at the trailside in more well 
drained areas.

To avoid another "pointed poles will lead to the destruction of the AT" 
thread I hereby concede that in some steep sections of trail, carelessly 
used pointy poles probably contribute to erosion.

At 12:56 AM 11/22/2003 -0500, Leslie Booher wrote:
>Well, at least the moss.  What I think is that the dirt on the trail is 
>compacted and presses down between the rocks, making them more 
>prominent.  The dirt among the rocks off the trail hasn't been compressed, 
>so that area only seems to be less rocky.  Maybe the solution would be to 
>move the trail every year or so in rocky areas.  <G>  anklebear
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Slyatpct@aol.com
>   To: lbooher@pure.net ; at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>   Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2003 12:42 AM
>   Subject: Re: [at-l] links to my recent NH and PA pics
>
>
>   In a message dated 11/21/2003 11:52:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> lbooher@pure.net writes:
>
>
>     The ones of PA remind me: why does it usually seem that the trail bed 
> is rockier than the surrounding land?  I noticed this phonomenon this 
> spring in MD.  I think I know the answer, but I want some other opinions 
> on this, first.
>
>
>
>   Hmmm.... I would imagine the footpath is rockier because it's the trail 
> and gets constant use.  Looking at the surrounding land the growth 
> appears to be propagated by the use of Leki poles.
>
>   http://gallery.backcountry.net/ThruThinkersOctPAHike/aae
>
>   .
>
>
>
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