[at-l] Trail Books

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C.)]

>"...There's nothing in the world as totally boring as a "heavy" book when
>you're stuck in a tent waiting out a blizzard for a day or more.  Been there.
>In general, the same thing applies to a thruhike.  A lot of people think "Oh,
>it's a great time to read the classics (or whatever)" .  But few of them get
>beyond the first ten pages.  Then the book ends up being firestarter at a
>shelter - or more deadweight to be sent home from Neels Gap" argues Jim
>and/or...

To each his own. I was frustrated several times by hikers who borrowed my Walden
and kept it for hours, occasionally days. I bought one hiker their own copy at
the bookstore in Front Royal.

But speaking of books. Today, I finished editing the annual reports of the five
overseers of the trail in Maine for the MATC January newsletter. The guy who
oversees the 60 miles of the Katahdin District confirmed what I've said from
time to time, namely, don't leave books, food and gear in the shelters.

His report? "Abandoned clothes, gear, food and books left behind by hikers was
carried out and disposed of by the maintainers."

People salve their consciences by thinking that someone will use the stuff they
are too lazy to pack out. But 90 percent of it has to be packed out by
maintainers. "Leave no trace" means exactly that for the few who are paying
attention to what for most has become a largely meaningless slogan.

Weary