<table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7><tr><td valign=top class=j><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><br><div style="padding-top:0.8em;"><img alt="" height="1" width="1"></div><div class=lh><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/3-0&fd=R&url=http://www.13wmaz.com/news/state_story.aspx%3Fstoryid%3D51991&cid=0&ei=r7UdSN65FpTu8ASBrpjpAg&usg=AFrqEzfWxHXOI7zPpmyvJXzkaHnC6QNpHw"><b>Trail</b> Tiff Causes Problems</a><br><font size=-1><font color=#6f6f6f>13wmaz,&nbsp;GA&nbsp;-</font> <nobr>19 minutes ago</nobr></font><br><font size=-1><b>Appalachian Trail</b> to begin in Alabama, instead of the Georgia starting point it has now. The Alabama Pinhoti, running about 130 miles from central Alabama <b>...</b></font></div></font></td></tr></table>

More... (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/3-0&fd=R&url=http://www.13wmaz.com/news/state_story.aspx%3Fstoryid%3D51991&cid=0&ei=r7UdSN65FpTu8ASBrpjpAg&usg=AFrqEzfWxHXOI7zPpmyvJXzkaHnC6QNpHw)

It is interesting that they are talking about cash incentives for hikers wanting to start down in Alabama!

Pretty ineresting link about this effort http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/news2008a.html

Pretty ineresting link about this effort http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/news2008a.html

Complete with a quote from WB's very own Cuffs.

It is a good trail.

Complete with a quote from WB's very own Cuffs.
“The Pinhoti . . . Oh, my goodness. It is the place to get away. To me it is solitude,” Merritt said.
Whoo Hoo!

But you know, try as I might, I'm having a very hard time picturing Cuffs say, "Oh, my goodness."

Whoo Hoo!

But you know, try as I might, I'm having a very hard time picturing Cuffs say, "Oh, my goodness."

Ha, ha -- me too! Maybe they cleaned it up a little. ;)

I think I'd rather see the AT start down in key west...despite the absense of the Appalachian Mountains...I'd be a lot easier to get a ride down to the trail head i'd imagine!

Why are people wanting to change the starting point? To increase length or to give a multiple start point option to reduce the impact of thrus all starting in a 45 day window?

Maybe we should lobby for the AT to be started somewhere in the Atlas mountain range in Morocco (N. Africa), since it was all the same range at one time.

Simple triva question: What's the oldest mountain range in the world?

Maybe we should lobby for the AT to be started somewhere in the Atlas mountain range in Morocco (N. Africa), since it was all the same range at one time.

Simple triva question: What's the oldest mountain range in the world?

The Appalachians, I've heard/read.

It is a good trail.

There's lots of good trails, doesn't mean they should all become the AT.

the AT will always start/end at springer mtn.

never say always or never...

There's lots of good trails, doesn't mean they should all become the AT.
I don't think I ever said it should.

never say always or never...

always remember to never use ultimatums...

Maybe we should lobby for the AT to be started somewhere in the Atlas mountain range in Morocco (N. Africa), since it was all the same range at one time.

Simple triva question: What's the oldest mountain range in the world?
Uwharrie Mountains in NC

Then there is the rocky, steep climb up the “Stairway to Heaven” in the Cheaha Wilderness, which arrives at a rocky overlook called Heaven.

Why would anyone, except a crazy one, continue on beyond a point so named? Then again, maybe all the anticipated hikers will stay in Alabama and everyone will be happy.;)

Uwharrie Mountains in NC

Nice little hike too!! Nothing like the AT but still fun.

This extension already sounds to me sound to me like bad idea. Why would anyone, except a crazy one, continue on beyond a point so named? Then again, maybe all the anticipated hikers will stay in Alabama and everyone will be happy.;)

Let those whose Diamonds are free of rocks cast the first stone. ;);)

I prefer emeralds and like them all to myself, but, let the record show, I am willing to share them with others who agree to not appropriate them for themselves.

I don't think I ever said it should.

Just expanding off your point.

Just expanding off your point.
Roger that.

Trails with a different flavor like the BMT should maintain their independance. That said, I talked to the ATC rep from Asheville again and he brough up ATC recognizing the BMT as an authorized alternate route for thru-hiking and still giving completion credit to 2000 milers. As long as the BMT stays the BMT I'm cool with it.

Not trying to get into the argument as to whether of not the Pinhoti should or should not be a part of the AT. But like Rock said it is a nice trail. Did part of it this past weekend south of Cheaha. Skyway to Chinnabee Silent to Pinhoti - a nice loop for a weekend hike. 17 or so miles. Give the Pinhoti a look sometimes. You might be surprised as what you find.

Maybe we should lobby for the AT to be started somewhere in the Atlas mountain range in Morocco (N. Africa), since it was all the same range at one time.

There is already a lot of good trail through the English and Scottish portions of that route. Of course the trouble is whether or not we would count people that fly across the North Atlantic to get to the US portion or if we would only count people that ford it.

1st of all, where was the "problem" in the article? It just said some AL politicians want to bring the terminus downrange to the Pinhoti. That seems logical since Flagg Mtn in AL is the southernmost Mtn over 1000 ft in the chain. If folks are so worried about "tradition", move the terminus back to Mt. Oglethorpe.

Actually no one seems real worried about it at all.