At the end of the day we need to consider what we seek.
I like very long walks with a fair amount of "communing with nature" and enjoy good views.
I like set trails because they provide easy logistics for resupply, habitation and trip planning.
But at the end of the day, I don't want to break my body and I don't want to climb every hill.
I want to see the "best" that I can. In my experience not all trails are built to show the best. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a classic. The road is far nicer than the trail.
I believe that just because someone came along and said this is the way the trail goes, I don't have to accept their point of view. The ATC realign the AT all the time. It's not always for the better. Often it is to keep you "in the wilderness".
A classic point is near Hampton Tennessee. The trail used to go along the river into town. Very pretty and easy walk. It now goes up and over Pond Flats. I have been assured Pond Flats was not pretty.
Hike whatever way you want but don't say that any other way is inferior or wrong.
I like very long walks with a fair amount of "communing with nature" and enjoy good views.
I like set trails because they provide easy logistics for resupply, habitation and trip planning.
But at the end of the day, I don't want to break my body and I don't want to climb every hill.
I want to see the "best" that I can. In my experience not all trails are built to show the best. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a classic. The road is far nicer than the trail.
I believe that just because someone came along and said this is the way the trail goes, I don't have to accept their point of view. The ATC realign the AT all the time. It's not always for the better. Often it is to keep you "in the wilderness".
A classic point is near Hampton Tennessee. The trail used to go along the river into town. Very pretty and easy walk. It now goes up and over Pond Flats. I have been assured Pond Flats was not pretty.
Hike whatever way you want but don't say that any other way is inferior or wrong.
Resident Australian, proving being a grumpy old man is not just an American trait.