<div dir="ltr"><div>Medicare Pastor -- please don't think this is a negative post towards you, because like you, I also have deep respect for Jim Wolf. But the CDT is constantly evolving, and the routes presented by Ley and BearCreek only add to what Jim Wolf began so many years ago.<br>
</div><div><br></div>I think folks refer to the "Ley's Purple Route" and "Ley's Red Route" simple for ease of visual recognition. Some routes ARE red on Ley's Maps, and others ARE purple. When speaking to other hikers about which routes to take, we're all looking at Ley's Maps, so identifying those routes as "Ley's Red or Purple Routes" is simple. I hope I speak for all hikers when I state that none of us harbor any disrespect to Jim Wolf. It's just that we all use Ley's Maps now-a-days.<div>
<br></div><div style>As far as an "Official Route" goes . . . . . well, that's not so straightforward when you're talking CDT. </div><div style><br></div><div style>The Appalachian Trail has a definite official route: follow the white blazes. </div>
<div style><br></div><div style>The Pacific Crest Trail mostly has an official route, but let's be honest: Most PCT hikers don't stay on the official PCT the whole time, because the official PCT is the horse PCT. Horses aren't allowed along the Rim of Crater Lake, nor on the Eagle Creek Trail. So, the vast majority of PCT hikers take those "hiker only" routes, which are not the official PCT. I feel sorry for PCT hikers who are so infected with a "purism" point of view that they hike 1800 miles up to Oregon, just to bypass the Crater Lake Rim simply because that trail is not the OFFICIAL PCT. It's sad.</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>"Official" gets even more blurred when talking CDT. As the number of CDT hikers increases, so does the number of hikers who are infected with that "purism" disease. Those of us who have hiked the CDT recognize it for what it truly is: a corridor through which hikers choose their own routes. Those route choices are sometimes planned in advance from home, or sometimes made as a spur-of-the-moment decision based upon current weather, trail conditions, and/or hiker experience. The beauty of the CDT is that true CDT hikers -- those of us who love the trail and love thru-hiking -- don't give a damn what route another CDT hiker hikes. Hike a trail, don't intentionally choose highway walks, and walk from Mexico to Canada (or Canada to Mexico) along the CDT corridor. And every CDT hiker has his/her own unique CDT. It's simple, really.</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>It's unfortunate that this year we have a CDT hiker with an inflated ego and sense of entitlement: he's appropriately named "Balls". He's critical of hikers who choose different routes than he has chosen. Balls is so infected by the purism disease that he can't see the CDT for what it truly is: a raw, beautiful, choose-your-own-route through some of the most amazing terrain in this country. Balls is hiking the Jerry Brown Route, which is a great route. I *love* Jerry's maps! But it's not the only route. It's unfortunate that Balls is so self-absorbed and infected by purism that he is incapable of respecting other hikers and their choices. Other hikers will experience the Cirque of the Towers, Knapsack Col, Parry Peak, etc. Balls doesn't have the option to see those places, because they're not on the BearCreek maps. And THAT'S the problem with an "official route". </div>
<div style><br></div><div style>My CDT Handbook (<a href="http://www.pcthandbook.com">www.pcthandbook.com</a>) presents many different route options, and there are many which are not covered in the book. Hikers have the option to create their own CDT, their own unique experience.</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>I do recognize that in order to be a protected trail, there must be one route which is recognized by government. But I sure hope the raw, individual character of the CDT stays alive for years to come.</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>Yogi</div><div style><a href="http://www.pcthandbook.com">www.pcthandbook.com</a></div><div style><br></div><div style><br></div><div style><br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jun 18, 2013 at 10:06 AM, MARY E DAVISON <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pastormaryd@msn.com" target="_blank">pastormaryd@msn.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
I have an issue that is bugging me. Perhaps I am too picky. But I heard numerous thru hikers call the purple line on Ley maps the "LDT" or "Ley's" route as opposed to the "official route".<br>
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Now, I use both purple and red routes as it seems best to me and lots of purple in New Mexico. And I immensely appreciate Ley's maps, Bear Creek maps, Jim Wolf's routes (generally the purple routes) and books and I use them all.<br>
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But to the best of my knowledge most, not all, of the purple routes are Jim Wolf's routes. Ley provides maps and puts both Bear Creek and Wolf and some other options too on his maps. Thank you Jonathon!<br>
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But I object to forgetting about the history and the presence of the CDTS and Jim Wolf's incredible work. Please don't call Wolf route Ley's route or the LDT.<br>
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Ok. I have said my piece. I will quit now.<br>
<br>
Medicare Pastor<br>
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Sent from my iPhone<br>
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