[cdt-l] New Thru-hiker questions (Jim's answers)

[Brett]

>>BLM maps for NM and WY - some time ago there was a 
>>discussion on cdt-l re: trespassing on private land.  In 
>>both states you can (and some hikers have been) arrested 
>>for trespass.  Kinda cuts into your thruhike.  The cure 
>>for that is to carry (and use) the BLM maps.  They'll tell 
>>you where the private and public lands are located.  And 
>>that information CAN help you navigate as well as keep you 
>>out of trouble.<<



I'm about to butt out for a while, but first...

Many good points in Jim's post, however I really think the 
BLM maps are unnecessary, especially for the far-flung 
contingency detailed above. Yes, the occasional rancher in 
New Mexico may drive along, stop, and ask a few questions, 
but this is usually (granted, not always) based on their own 
ignorance or indignation toward the CDT and its legal 
right-of-way through lands they access to reach their 
private or deeded inholdings. And if it's the 
guidebook-and-map-abiding hiker who's at fault, it's usually 
an honest mistake (right?). And anyway I just can't imagine 
a female hiker being taken to task on it.

Nah, carry the BLM maps maybe for fun, but not outta fear. 
That emotion's an unnecessary complication for the 
upstanding CDT thru-hiker in planning, IMHO.

- bf, now butting out for the holidays