[Cdt-l] Gentle Reminder

[thomas hogeboom]

For the most part, I agree with Lynne. It would be nice to have a core
trail that is adequately marked. Nobody is suggesting that there be
blazes every 100 feet. Adequately marked means just enough, not overkill.
And it seems logical that the "core trail" be the official route. Given
that, there would always be alternate routes that are find-your-own-way.
They will always be there for those who enjoy being lost or off-trail.

With the demise of the CDTA and their volunteer trail building trips, the
time is ripe for thru-hikers and section hikers to make a contribution,
however small, to the well-being of the trail. [First step: I would
encourage hikers to join the CDTS] Obviously, a thru hiker doesn't have a
lot of time or extra energy to be building lots of cairns and affixing
CDT markers to trees. I'm not suggesting that they do much at all, other
than occasionally marking a confusing intersection that they are
reasonably sure of (those with GPS especially). Let me repeat for
emphasis: I'm not suggesting that hikers do this every day or even every
week, just a couple of times or whatever you feel like. If you don't feel
like it, fine.

As others have pointed out, surveyor's tape might not be the best option
for a variety of reasons. I suggest skipping the tape and going directly
to a small cairn or carry a small number of CDT emblems that you could
place a short distance from, yet within sight of, a confusing
intersection. If you're able to make a blaze, great (although I'm not
real sure why anyone would be carrying a hatchet).

I for one applaud Lynne's idea (minus the surveyor tape) and plan to play
a small role while hiking the New Mexico portion of the CDT (I've already
hiked MT, ID, WY, and CO).

The Hog