Date: 9 March 2016
Dear Sirs/Madams,
I am an ATC member, who has read with interest the information provided, regarding the proposed $1,268,140.00 High Impact Visitor Use Management Project. I support this plan in general, but have serious concerns regarding the Campsite Restoration and Creation, section of the plan.
I thru-hiked the AT in 2013. Since I did not “Slack Pack”, I spent more evenings camped on the trail than some hikers. Finding a flat surface where I could put up my tent; within the parameters of the federal, state, ATC, and local trail club laws/rules/ guidelines/expectations; was the most difficult/frustrating challenge of my hike. This was especially true in the northern one third of the hike.
There is a serious lack of campsites on many parts of the trail.
There were instances where it was not possible to adhere to the laws/rules/ guidelines/expectations, regarding trail use. The only option was to get off the trail, or to ignore the prescriptions of proper hiker conduct. I do understand clearly that you do not wish to hear that.
It is clear to me also, that the High Impact Visitor Use Management Project fails to address this critical issue. This plan sticks it’s head in the sand, and fails to address the lack of usable camp sites.
You propose to spend one million, two hundred sixty eight thousand, one hundred and forty dollars. Most of that money will be spent on Public Relations, Education, Technology, and ATC expansion.
You propose to spend thirty thousand dollars, a pittance, to actually physically improve campsites. Are you kidding me?
It is apparent, that it is possible to become so committed to, so fixated on, protection and preservation, that one loses awareness that the Appalachian Trail exists to be hiked. This trail serves no purpose, if people are not able to use it.
There are designated areas in this country that do restrict all human trespass in the name of protection and preservation. The AT is not one of them. These areas are not called trails.
The many governing entities at the federal, state, local and mountain club levels, and the ATC itself, may succeed in keeping the trail absolutely pristine, only by restricting
Dear Sirs/Madams,
I am an ATC member, who has read with interest the information provided, regarding the proposed $1,268,140.00 High Impact Visitor Use Management Project. I support this plan in general, but have serious concerns regarding the Campsite Restoration and Creation, section of the plan.
I thru-hiked the AT in 2013. Since I did not “Slack Pack”, I spent more evenings camped on the trail than some hikers. Finding a flat surface where I could put up my tent; within the parameters of the federal, state, ATC, and local trail club laws/rules/ guidelines/expectations; was the most difficult/frustrating challenge of my hike. This was especially true in the northern one third of the hike.
There is a serious lack of campsites on many parts of the trail.
There were instances where it was not possible to adhere to the laws/rules/ guidelines/expectations, regarding trail use. The only option was to get off the trail, or to ignore the prescriptions of proper hiker conduct. I do understand clearly that you do not wish to hear that.
It is clear to me also, that the High Impact Visitor Use Management Project fails to address this critical issue. This plan sticks it’s head in the sand, and fails to address the lack of usable camp sites.
You propose to spend one million, two hundred sixty eight thousand, one hundred and forty dollars. Most of that money will be spent on Public Relations, Education, Technology, and ATC expansion.
You propose to spend thirty thousand dollars, a pittance, to actually physically improve campsites. Are you kidding me?
It is apparent, that it is possible to become so committed to, so fixated on, protection and preservation, that one loses awareness that the Appalachian Trail exists to be hiked. This trail serves no purpose, if people are not able to use it.
There are designated areas in this country that do restrict all human trespass in the name of protection and preservation. The AT is not one of them. These areas are not called trails.
The many governing entities at the federal, state, local and mountain club levels, and the ATC itself, may succeed in keeping the trail absolutely pristine, only by restricting
all trespass, by any human being. And then we can all look at pretty pictures of the trail and feel blessed.
Extreme positions, promoting preservation and protection, above all else, are not reasonable, regarding public trails. There needs to be some balance, some compromise, between the unachievable ideal of total preservation/protection; and the necessity to acknowledge and to accommodate the camping needs of visitors who actually use this trail.
This plan fails to address the very significant, very practical, very basic, needs of visitors to this trail. Put real money into making the trail useable by visitors.
This letter is an attempt to remind you, that ultimately the Appalachian Trail was conceived, built, and exists; that people may use it.
Sincerely,
George R. Finn, Jr.
Extreme positions, promoting preservation and protection, above all else, are not reasonable, regarding public trails. There needs to be some balance, some compromise, between the unachievable ideal of total preservation/protection; and the necessity to acknowledge and to accommodate the camping needs of visitors who actually use this trail.
This plan fails to address the very significant, very practical, very basic, needs of visitors to this trail. Put real money into making the trail useable by visitors.
This letter is an attempt to remind you, that ultimately the Appalachian Trail was conceived, built, and exists; that people may use it.
Sincerely,
George R. Finn, Jr.
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