[at-l] Re: at-l Digest, Vol 7, Issue 30

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

hotdog, you said you saw trail damage, then you go on to say, damage to the 
edge of the trail.  Could you describe the trail damage and the damage to the 
edges of the trail, besides the "unsightly marks"?  

After the bulk of the thru-hikers pass do you know if the damage is still 
there, has been washed away by water and erosion or if the "tilled" soil has 
settled back in place with time?

I have little doubt there's evidence of pole usage, especially during the 
height of thru-hiker traffic.  However, I do doubt that it impacts the trail in a 
lasting manner, except, possibly in areas where the trail is placed in less 
then ideal areas, where the trail would need to be hardened eventually anyway, 
with or without pole usage.

Sly


In a message dated 11/25/2003 9:58:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
TrailR@aol.com writes:

> I know I commented on trail damage from poles before, but 
> this comment is incorrect. The damage was considerable this 
> year, not infinitesimal. This is a fact, not a guess. I saw 
> a lot of pole damege. I didn't realize that poles could do so much damage to 
> the edges of the trails, until I thought of (how
> many people were on the trail in front of me). It will only 
> get worse, and I feel it should be addressed (I will leave 
> how to address it to the professionals). I am not naysaying ....
>