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Re: [at-l] Slackpacking
John Curran wrote:
> Love the trail to death? OK, what terms? Heighten its popularity
> by lessening its challenge? Whatever. Hike your own hike
> is pretty much a saying that can mean anything as long as
> the majority agrees.
John -
For those who understand, there's nothing vague, amorphous or generic
about "hike your own hike". Go to:
http://www.circumtech.com/outdoors/thruhikingpapers/
Then come back and we can talk about it. What it means in this situation
is that I may not like what Pittsburg is doing, but I can still accept
him as a person, as a fellow hiker, as a human being, and as someone who
loves the Trail. And I can still maintain the objectivity to find the
truth in what he has to say. For example, there was some objection to
his characterization of the ATC -- and he was a lot closer to being
right than most people realize. The ATC has become a bureaucracy, and
like all such animals it now has a need to justify its existence. Some
of you missed it at the Gathering last year - or didn't understand the
significance of what was said - but the "new mission" for the ATC is
"viewshed". Think about that - there's a whole new world of hurt out
there for those who live along the Trail and have to deal with the "land
acquisition" that's coming in the next 20 years.
You also said:
> You are being the vague one while I
> ask direct questions. Care to go on the record and reveal
> the nature of your business and it legitimacy?
And Pittsburg was REALLY polite because the answers to those questions
are HIS business - and none of ours. I'm afraid my answer might not have
been so polite. He and I talked about this last year - so I know that
he knows what's required to do what he's doing.
"Hike your own hike" isn't just "a saying that can mean anything" - if
you understand it, it's a lifestyle. It means - hike YOUR hike - and
let him hikehis.
Walk softly,
Jim
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