Re: [ft-l] Day hike or thruhike

I originally joined the FTA after section hiking the AT with a desire to see a real
thru trail in Fl and my primary reason for staying involved is to see the Trail
completed. I sometimes get frustrated that so much time and effort is put in to so
many local trails although I too have used and helped to maintain these trails.
If we don't get the land secured for the thru trail soon it will all be so developed
we will have no wilderness left to walk in. Just my two cents worth.
                            Triathlon Grandma
"Hale, Pamela" wrote:

> Just a friendly reminder that the primary mission of the Florida Trail
> Association is to "build a continuous hiking trail the length of Florida."  Long
> distance hiking is what the founders had in mind.
>
> Early FTA newsletters were full of backpacking trips, with an occasional day
> hike or canoe trip thrown in for variety.  Over the years however, the
> population influx, as well as societal changes in general, have shifted the
> activity focus from high-prep extended activities to day trips.  We could
> discourse a great length about why people want to do more things in less time,
> but the fact is they just do.  So those are the types of activities the FTA
> currently provides in abundance.
>
> Which is also why we should not lose site of the "prime directive", and why
> keeping the long distance hikers in the loop is essential.  Distance hiking and
> day treks fulfill different objectives for different groups of people, but they
> are still both similar enough (both mean outdoor walking) that the FTA-- which
> has the depth of experience to handle it-- should consider both in its forward
> planning.
>
> 'nuf said.
> Pam
>
> In a message dated 1/3/00 10:33:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> cstrohme@com1.med.usf.edu writes:
>
> >  I don't understand the
> >  emphasis on the FNST as opposed to local trails.
> * From the Florida Trail Mailing List | http://www.backcountry.net *

* From the Florida Trail Mailing List | http://www.backcountry.net *

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