A.T. News

“For anyone planning to spend time on the Appalachian Trail this year:

1. The new A.T. Data Book for 2005 is now available; the Trail is evidently .8 of a mile longer than it was last year! This is absolutely the most accurate book available for determining distances, accurate mileage, etc., as well as containing vital information on Shelter locations, campsites, water sources, road crossings, etc. To order a copy, see www.atconf.org)

2. Dan Bruce's Thru-Hiker's Handbook for 2005 is now available (see www.trailplace.com for details)

3. The 2005 Thru-Hiker's Companion, put out
by The Appalachian Trail Conference and the Appalachian Long-Distance Hiker's Association, will be available very soon. (Go to www.aldha.org for details, or if you want to examine the 2004 On-Line edition).

3.”

“.8? oh man”

“It is a great reference book. I use it whenever planning trips and look at it more often than my map when hiking the AT.”

“Where is that 0.8 miles? If it's in an area I did already, reckon I'll haveta back-track to keep continuity...”

“probably more than .8 added cuz they probably took some away here and there”

“I know they added about 2.5 South of Dragon's Tooth, in Va, sometime after I got my guidebook, unfortunately. Not that it was a problem, just a little confusing for a while. When I put away the book and just walked, I wasn't as confused.”

“from Whiteblaze and indirectly from the ATC :

Where did the mileage change?
Pennsylvania -0.1 mile
Maryland/W.Va./Northern Va. +0.3 mile
Central Virginia +0.9 mile
Tennessee/North Carolina -0.1 mile
North Carolina/Georgia -0.2 mile”

“"Maryland/W.Va./Northern Va. +0.3 mile
Central Virginia +0.9 mile"
Hog On Ice
6:15:49 PM
1/11/05

Looks like I gotta do those spots again...”

“Oh, bummer...look at you -- having to hike the AT all over again. Like there aren't worse things that you could have to do all over again...

/sarcasm

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I'm sure it'll be just as awesome as the first time.”

“That would be rough to force yourself to do it all over again. The horror. LOL.”

“The distance comes from their moving the trail from the very ridge top (with good view) to the sides of the hills-down fromt he ridge top. This is supposed to help with trail maintenance but it sure messes up the views in some places.”

“The general theory lately is that all trails.. (including the AT of course) should bind themself to certain GRADE standards.

I wanna say 4% rise or fall?

Anyways, Bob Peoples was telling me about it, when we were in Hampton last yr.”

“They will have to re-route the Georgia section along a road, to stick to that rule, lol...”

“www.atconf.org I tried Bawlmer Jacks link but it didnt work ,I think because it had ( at the end of it. Streamweaver
last edited: 1/12/05 1:07:53 PM”

“lol.. for real, bit.

Just telling what I got told. The general theory is that any trail with a tougher grade, deteriorates thru erosion and what-not.
last edited: 1/12/05 1:11:26 PM”

“The link?.. he has an extra parathesis in it.

atconf.org routes to this --> http://www.appalachiantrail.org/”

“I knew dat! Also theres only one [url] tag for these messeges ,the second needs a slash[/url]. Just feeling nit picky today I reckon.”

“SLOPES AND SOIL
Soil which has eroded contributes to both onsite and offsite damages, usually to wetlands and surface waters. The depth, structure, and composition of the soil, as well as the soil’s permeability, texture, and drainage capacity, are all significant in the soil’s ability to withstand erosion. Soil compaction occurring on recreational trails restricts the natural absorption of water. Churning of the soil loosens surface soil particles, which then can be carried away by
wind or water.

Slopes are especially susceptible to erosion due to the relationship between the grade of the slope and the potential for increased water velocity. Trail construction or maintenance work that is to be performed on hillsides should be carefully planned so as to minimize the trail grade and to incorporate proper cross-drainage.

The most effective way to decrease erosion is to avoid modifying slopes. Trails in areas with long, steep slopes should be designed to follow the contours to minimize accelerated soil churning and erosion. Modifying a slope by clearing existing vegetative cover also increases its vulnerability to erosion. Vegetation helps filter runoff water and holds soil particles in place. Vegetation also maintains the soil’s capacity to absorb precipitation.

During trail planning and construction, the most desirable slope grade is less than or equal to 5%. This will minimize potential erosion and sedimentation problems. Slope grades in excess of 10% increase the need for maintenance and the potential for erosion.

http://www.nhtrails.org/Trailspages/BMPmanual2004.pdf
last edited: 1/12/05 1:14:27 PM”

“They have been doing a little rerouting of the trail in Georgia, from what I can tell, to reduce the number of "PUDS", and to allow impacted areas to grow back, like at Slaughter Gap. But there are plenty of places where the trail just goes straight up a hill.

You haven't known despair until you come to the fifth false summit in a row.”

“heh.. the AT approach trail. King of THAT scenario.”

“i wanted to kill myself when i hiked the approach trail. i thought it would never end.”

“lol... you went when we went... it were cold too.. :)”

“I bet crews have been concentrating on the grade maximums around the PUDS, especially in the South. PUDS are a Trail-talk for "pointless ups and downs" - areas where the Trail goes, often very steeply, up to a hill summit but with no view, and then heads steeply downhill. Mother Hump north of Stecoah Gap would be an example of a PUD. I remember someone along the Trail last year, probably Bob Peoples, talking about starting to re-route the AT under the target % grade around some of the PUDs. I would hope and assume, though, that ups to views would be left alone. Who knows, maybe there will be a few switchbacks built on the AT!!

Those trail folks are wonderful and amazing, though. I can't thank them enough for all the backbreaking work they do. I've been meaning to get a work weekend together up at Kincora Hostel. Would anyone be willing to go? Maybe in late Feb before the thru-hiker rush hits?”