[cdt-l] CDT Mapping Effort

[Bob Bankhead]

For most hikers, that will probably be true. If you map (and sign) it, they will come, so to speak. Witness the huge social event that the AT has become, and towards which the PCT is heading.

However, there will always be those few who enjoy the off-trail challenge and who will find their own path, either on the CDT or in some other wilderness trek.

There must be room for both in the wilderness. As civilization moved ever-westward in this country, the mountain men who sought solitude moved elsewhere - by choice.

Wandering Bob


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ginny & Jim Owen 
  To: cdt-l at mailman.backcountry.net 
  Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 12:11 PM
  Subject: [cdt-l] CDT Mapping Effort


  Backpacker Magazine is joining with CDTA to produce a definitive map of the 
  CDT.  They are looking for volunteers to go out for one week sections.  This 
  is similar to previous efforts, but with Backpacker pushing the idea, it may 
  be more fruitful than some of the past efforts to gps the trail.

  I have mixed emotions about this.  I understand the necessity of creating 
  good maps of the trail, but at the same time, I am sorry to see this happen. 
    One of the best parts of the CDT is the idea that you can and will create 
  your own route, by picking and choosing among many options. The CDTS 
  guidebooks give several options, Jonathan Ley gives others on his mapset, 
  and once you get used to the idea that you don't have to follow a single 
  defined route, most hikers feel free to invent routes of their own choosing. 
    It seems to me that with a single map set, showing only one possible 
  route, that most hikers will no longer enjoy the freedom that is the CDT.  
  It will be so much easier to simply follow the route on the map.  What do 
  you all think?  If you had a map set available that showed only the 
  offiicial route, would you follow it, no matter what?

  If you haven't hiked the CDT yet, be aware that in many places the official 
  route is not the best route for hikers.  There are places where Jim Wolf's 
  alternatives are much more scenic or better watered.  There are places where 
  Jonathan's routes were more adventurous.

  I loved the fact that our hikes were totally unique.  This mapping effort is 
  likely to change the trail and the trail culture considerably for future 
  hikers.  What do you think?

  Ginny
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