[at-l] Re: (no subject)

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

At 09:03 AM 4/12/2005 -0400, Bob C wrote:
>In a discussion among actual long distance and thru hikers on WhiteBlaze, 
>probably the most active AT site these days, a large majority of those who 
>responded thought Wingfoot's Guide was by far the better book, mostly 
>because it contains more information. His Thru-Hikers Guide contains all 
>the essential information of the ATC databook. The Companion does not. 
>Wise people do not let their dislike of Wingfoot's politics interfere with 
>their trail decisions. Long distance hiking is difficult enough without 
>adding political complications.
>?
>Weary

So is it "political" to support those who support the trail you walk? 
Information is information. You can carry the Data Book and the Companion 
and support ATC/ALDHA who support the trail or you can carry the Handbook 
and support Dan Bruce. As Publications Chair for ADK I know that sale of 
Guidebooks is a significant source of income for groups such as ATC. I 
don't dislike Dan but I do dislike the idea of people publishing competing 
guidebooks that siphon off dollars from the groups that provide us with 
trails. I especially dislike those who started out doing a guidebook for 
the organization then went out on their own using what they learned while 
working for the organization. Call it politics if you want. I call it 
putting your money where your boot prints are. You may rationalize it 
otherwise if you want.