[Cdt-l] Cdt-l Digest, Vol 52, Issue 32

[Travis Naibert]

+ 1 Ned Tibbits!

On Sat, Jan 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM,  <cdt-l-request at backcountry.net> wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. CDT trail markings... (Jonathan Ley)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:21:39 -0800
> From: Jonathan Ley <jonathan at phlumf.com>
> Subject: [Cdt-l] CDT trail markings...
> To: CDT MailingList <cdt-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <4F1AF423.30106 at phlumf.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Just a few comments on marking the CDT... because... well, why not? :-)
>
> First, I'm not sure how critical this is for thru-hikers to have a
> successful hike. People have managed to hike the trail for years without
> much signage. If you have good maps & guidebook instructions (and most
> importantly, pay attention to them, and know basic orienteering), you
> don't necessarily need signs too.
>
> That said, signs & markers can be useful in some areas. Signage is
> especially useful for marking trail junctions; for example, a small
> trail marker about 10 yards after the junction identifies the CDT.
> Flagging tape in this case would be useless. However, tape can be useful
> when a trail becomes indistinct in an overgrown meadow; it can mark the
> location where the trail re-enters the forest. Trouble is that it's just
> not that durable. And to me, it's just kind of ugly (and don't even get
> me started on Sharpies, which I think are hardly less tacky than spray
> paint).   Tape also won't work in areas where there are no trees (such
> as a large chunk of the CDT).
>
> I don't think there's any point in marking a trail when there is no
> junction, and the tread is distinct. Nobody is just going to wander off
> the path, and they don't need to be reminded they're on the same path
> they were on since the last marker. The tread "is" the trail marker in
> that case. Sure, it could get covered by snow. But, if you're out in
> those conditions, you need to be prepared with good navigational skills,
> and not rely on trail markers.
>
> What makes the best trail marker will also depend a lot on the terrain &
> locality. Lucite/fiberglass (whatever they're made of) posts can work
> well in the desert (provided they're not shot, uprooted, or run over).
> Cairns with signed posts can work well in the alpine areas. Little metal
> plaques nailed to trees can work well in the forest (the PCT makes good
> use of those). Tape can be a temporary fix in a few situations (like
> mentioned above). National parks with heavy use & lots of trail
> junctions need better signs... and they generally have them. There
> simply is no one-size-fits-all solution to this... and it's what's
> already being done today... just not as quickly & consistently as some
> would like.
>
> If anyone is going to go out & sign the CDT, they have to know what
> they're doing, and they have to all be working with a common set of
> guidelines. That's where an overarching organization like the CDTA is
> really helpful. Otherwise, you're going to get all kinds of different
> symbols & approaches. Some people are going to over-sign, or under-sign
> the trail... or worse, mis-sign it. You'll get different symbols being
> used... that kind of inconsistency could make a long hike maddening - if
> you lose faith in the trail markings, what then?
>
> Signs serve another purpose... they're an advertisement for the trail.
> The CDT can use all the PR it can get. It can't hurt to let random
> hikers know they're on the CDT. To that end, I say: use attractive,
> small metal plaques attached to trees a-la the PCT ~10 yards after trail
> junctions, please! There already is a CDT emblem. I know the CDTS has
> another one, but the CDTA one looks nicer (sorry Jim ;-), and I think
> it's still viable. Use the same logo on lucite/fiberglass posts or wood
> posts stuck in cairns where there are no trees & it's appropriate.
>
> -Jonathan
>
>
>
>
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> End of Cdt-l Digest, Vol 52, Issue 32
> *************************************