View Full Version : Robert Redford and the Appalachian Trail
Fiddleback
11-13-2006, 20:27
I just finished watching "Kudlow & Co", a politics and business show on CNBC. The ol' right-winger Kudlow had Robert Redford on to talk about global warming. That alone was something notable (last week's elections are spurring all kinds of bipartisanship, I guess:p ) but something Redford said picked up my ears. In denying he was going to do a film on global warming ("Gore's already done that...") he said he was working on a film about "hiking on the Applalacian Trail."
You don't suppose Redford's gonna do Bryson's, A Walk in the Woods? That would be too cool!:D
FB
You don't suppose Redford's gonna do Bryson's, A Walk in the Woods? That would be too cool!:D
FB
That is exactly what is happening.
Bloodroot
11-13-2006, 20:29
I just finished watching "Kudlow & Co", a politics and business show on CNBC. The ol' right-winger Kudlow had Robert Redford on to talk about global warming. That alone was something notable (last week's elections are spurring all kinds of bipartisanship, I guess:p ) but something Redford said picked up my ears. In denying he was going to do a film on global warming ("Gore's already done that...") he said he was working on a film about "hiking on the Applalacian Trail."
You don't suppose Redford's gonna do Bryson's, A Walk in the Woods? That would be too cool!:D
FB
I don't know...seems he probably has more experience in the outdoors than most of us! After all he is Jeremiah Johnson.:rolleyes:
I don't know...seems he probably has more experience in the outdoors than most of us! After all he is Jeremiah Johnson.:rolleyes:
LOL... One of my favorite movies! I think it would be awesome if they actually made the movie, especially if Redford and Newman played iin it.
Skidsteer
11-13-2006, 20:34
Oy Vey. Here we go again.:rolleyes:
Bloodroot
11-13-2006, 20:38
LOL... One of my favorite movies! I think it would be awesome if they actually made the movie, especially if Redford and Newman played iin it.
Absolutely!!! Man you hit the nail right on the head! As long he don't bring along his trusty .50 cal.....he'll get scorned by the AT community for sure trying to pull of that one.
Tha Wookie
11-13-2006, 20:41
so what did he have to say about global warming?
Bloodroot
11-13-2006, 20:47
so what did he have to say about global warming?
I don't know but I got on "the google":D and there is a ton of stuff about Redford's issues with Global Warming.
so what did he have to say about global warming?Something about that if it gets too warm we can nuke North Korea. The ensuing nuclear winter will cancel out the global warming. I didn't understand it all, but it kind of made sense.
Fiddleback
11-13-2006, 21:13
RR gave a background on how he came to be interested in the subject (15+ years ago)...how he naively thought governments would ally to address the obvious and growing problem...and how he thinks grass roots and local govts are taking the lead. He believes the preponderance of evidence shows we're in climate change and the results, if unchecked or when we hit the tipping point, will be serious.
He professes support for private industry/free market solutions along with govt mandates and he supports nuke energy when and if the dual problems of waste storage and safety are finally addressed.
He was very cogent and pretty much down the middle of the road which made him pretty left-leaning for the Kudlow & Co. show.;) Nothing startling other than his appearance on the show.
FB
SalParadise
11-14-2006, 03:17
sure, there's gonna be a flood of people to about Carolina if that movie hits.
but maybe it could be really good for the Trail, after all. The last half of Bryson's book was environmental, so maybe Redford's movie would focus on that, and we can only hope that it would raise attention to conservation issues. What a boon if the ATC got a flood of donations to preserve more land around the Trail.
skeeterfeeder
11-14-2006, 05:37
Just a thought....
Do you think a movie about the trail would help or hurt an idividuals hiking experience? I estimate it would increase the number of attempted thru hikes by at least the power of ten if not a hundred.. At least in the short term.
I hate to sound cynical, but I live in a small Ozarks town that was featured on 60 Minutes a few years ago and the national publicity changed this 'friendly' little town forever. It sure attracted a lot of people that had more in mind than being friendly. I would hate to think the trail might become a lot less safe if the wrong poeple should see that single females (and males) are out in the wilderness alone. I hope I am only being paranoid.....
Old Hillwalker
11-14-2006, 07:27
I hike a lot in Western Scotland, and the first couple of years after the movie Braveheart came out, the place was swarming with tourists. Glad that passed and now it's back to norrrrmal. I can just imagine what RRs movie will do to the population on the trail.
By the way, Scotland is not friendly to hammock hangers due to the lack of trees.
http://www.lowefoto.com/scotland/scot-50.html
Isn't Branson called "Vegas without the casinos"? I doubt 60 Minutes upset the applecart that much. And I doubt you'll see 10,000 attempted thru-hikes nevermind 100,000. If it doubles it will be similar to the peak year in 2000 which I believe had as much to do with the millenium as anything.
Bloodroot
11-14-2006, 10:00
I agree with Sly....I don't think a movie or documentary would suddenly flock a large herd of people to the AT. A movie might gain the AT publicity, but it still won't change the fact that most people are scared to go in the woods.
Interesting thread about a Nat. Geo. "explorer" and Robert Redford and his new movie.:-? However the thread is closed. :confused: Anyone know why?:(
By the time they make this movie Newman will play PawPaw, and Redford will be Batch. :D
drdewrag
11-14-2006, 10:25
I would think that if the movie does hit, the popularity of the AT woud increase in the short term - especially in the areas where filming took place. The actual filming areas would be most likely to "suffer" from over use, etc... We'll see...
SalParadise
11-14-2006, 15:30
I would think that if the movie does hit, the popularity of the AT woud increase in the short term - especially in the areas where filming took place. The actual filming areas would be most likely to "suffer" from over use, etc... We'll see...
I cringe just thinking about all the tons of trash that would probably be littered around every mile of trail and every shelter in Georgia by fans of the movie who aren't much interested in a wilderness experience.
ok, so knowing Hollywood as well as I do (you know, based on TV and stereotypes), $20 says they shoot most of the movie on the PCT and try to pass it of as the Appalachian mountains.
SalParadise
11-14-2006, 15:32
.......oh, and I also bet that's it's 15 minutes or less into the start of the movie that we meet a dude from Deliverance.
Bloodroot
11-14-2006, 15:50
I'm curious as to what the environmental approach would be? Better yet, maybe a ignorant question, but what environmental aspects are there?
SalParadise
11-14-2006, 16:00
I'm curious as to what the environmental approach would be? Better yet, maybe a ignorant question, but what environmental aspects are there?
way too many hills. there could be some better rock-management, too.
can I get a ba-dum-ching?
Jack Tarlin
11-14-2006, 16:06
Within a year or two of the movie's release, there will almost certainly be an upward spike in the number of folks thru-hiking.
Most of them will be Northbounders.
This inevitably means more stress and wear-and-tear on shelters and campsites, as these heavily used areas become even MORE heavily used, and much of this use will come from folks with limited outdoor experience. Most of this will impact the Georgia and North Carolina sections; by the time hikers reach tennessee or Virginia, the attrition rate (i.e. the vast numbers of folks who've quit by then) will result in lessened impact the further North one goes. But in the South, shelters and established campsites will suffer (over-use issues; degradation of water sources; privies being filled up or used as trash receptacles, etc.) and we'll be seeing LOTS more garbage on the Trail.
Hopefully, ATC and the local Trail clubs will be expecting this, and will do such things as consider new shelters and campsites in selected locations; post educational signage in shelters and road crossings to advise people; and will increase the numer of ridgerunners and volunteers who'll visit these places, maintain them, educate users, and report such things as numbers of visitors, damage or needed repairs, etc.
But there WILL be an impact in the years immediately following the release of the film, and the powers that be would be well advised to start thinking about these issues NOW.
Robert Redford is playing Bill Bryson. Paul Newman is playing Katz. The last Redford/Newman movie and it's going to be a huge hit. The AT will see a lot more unprepared hikers, and the southern AT is gonna suffer for it. Filming on parts of the AT have already taken place. However, if the movie is like the book, then maybe people won't go into the woods. That book was all about man-eating bears and backwoods deliverance types.
SalParadise
11-14-2006, 16:26
I wonder what Miss Janet thinks of the distinct possibility that maybe ten times the number of hikers will be hanging around her place. She's gonna need a bigger van.
The outfitters are going to love that movie.;)
However, if the movie is like the book, then maybe people won't go into the woods.
I hope so too unless those people are already committed to or open to learning what hiking can add to their lives. What I'm responding to primarily in this post is Lilredmg's signature, which couldn't help but catch my eye! The Daniel Boone Homestead is a not too distant sidetrip from the A.T. in beautiful Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Thru-hikers can learn from section-hikers, who often get more out of their A.T. experience! Go here (http://www.danielboonehomestead.org/) to learn about The Daniel Boone Homestead, maintained by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. If you want to know more about beautiful Berks County, Pennsylvania, all you need to do is PM Shades of Gray.
Stop bitching about the rocks, get off the A.T. and learn something! Maybe that ought to be my sig. I like Sgt. Rock's, but that's already taken.
Bloodroot
11-14-2006, 17:38
Within a year or two of the movie's release, there will almost certainly be an upward spike in the number of folks thru-hiking.
Most of them will be Northbounders.
This inevitably means more stress and wear-and-tear on shelters and campsites, as these heavily used areas become even MORE heavily used, and much of this use will come from folks with limited outdoor experience. Most of this will impact the Georgia and North Carolina sections; by the time hikers reach tennessee or Virginia, the attrition rate (i.e. the vast numbers of folks who've quit by then) will result in lessened impact the further North one goes. But in the South, shelters and established campsites will suffer (over-use issues; degradation of water sources; privies being filled up or used as trash receptacles, etc.) and we'll be seeing LOTS more garbage on the Trail.
Hopefully, ATC and the local Trail clubs will be expecting this, and will do such things as consider new shelters and campsites in selected locations; post educational signage in shelters and road crossings to advise people; and will increase the numer of ridgerunners and volunteers who'll visit these places, maintain them, educate users, and report such things as numbers of visitors, damage or needed repairs, etc.
But there WILL be an impact in the years immediately following the release of the film, and the powers that be would be well advised to start thinking about these issues NOW.
I agree, to an extent. I think there will be an impact. But I also think the impact will be short-term. It will become nothing more than a fad that will wear off after time. Population increase will be inevitable just by the increase in our national population. Obviously this won't be a immediate impact but will surely be noticable in the next twenty years or so.
I'm guessing that the majority of the people going to this movie are there especially for the 'eye-candy' - Redford and Newman. They aren't there as a prelude to hiking the Trail. There may be curiosity seekers venturing onto the trail for a dayhike or week experience. I bet we see most of them in the national parks. In fact, I doubt that the film will do much to romanticize the thru-hiking experience. HOPEFULLY, it will build some awareness of the Trail and, perhaps, garner some financial support for clubs and the ATC. As for our role, we should get out on the trail and educate the neophytes who may playing out their fantasies post-film. Oh, another role? How about a casting call for former thrus to play a role in the movie as extras?! Now that would be fun!
Fiddleback
11-14-2006, 19:18
Robert Redford is playing Bill Bryson. Paul Newman is playing Katz. The last Redford/Newman movie and it's going to be a huge hit. The AT will see a lot more unprepared hikers, and the southern AT is gonna suffer for it. Filming on parts of the AT have already taken place. However, if the movie is like the book, then maybe people won't go into the woods. That book was all about man-eating bears and backwoods deliverance types.
Our wet snow and heavy winds played havoc with power lines this morning otherwise I'd have posted that I wouldn't necessarily expect "A Walk in the Woods" to be filmed on the AT.
Now, with more stable electricity, I did a quick Google search and don't find any definite info that the film is actually in production or stars Redford or Newman (or for that matter, Julia Roberts which expressed an interest...). I hope it's true...they make a great film team and the book's characters would afford another good collaboration. But I sure didn't picture Bryson or Katz as Redford and Newman types.:rolleyes:
Redford's "A River Runs Through It" wasn't filmed on the Blackfoot or in the Missoula area (at least not the scenic parts) despite the story line. Nor was "Legends of the Fall" filmed in Montana despite its story amongst Big Sky vistas. It's a common practice. I've seen movies taking place in Houston although the city shown is surrounded by mountains. A Spielberg TV series portrayed Lubbock with a dense city forest and I've seen movies taking place on the East Coast but filled with western pine trees.
As for impact on the AT and more trash, etc. That certainly could happen...especially if the new visitors litter as much as the book's characters did.:mad:
FB
I can see Jack's T-shirt now, Robert Redford is a Candy Ass! :p Try not to get yourselves into such a tizzy folks, the trail will survive and it may give it the boost it so desperately needs...
The bicycle sceen in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed at a ghost town just outside Zion NP. It was worth a side trip.
If they ever make an AT movie, the impact will be far reaching.
I can just imagine an "I don't know how to swim" conversation as they contempate crossing the Kennebek. :rolleyes:
I'm guessing that the majority of the people going to this movie are there especially for the 'eye-candy' - Redford and Newman. They aren't there as a prelude to hiking the Trail. There may be curiosity seekers venturing onto the trail for a dayhike or week experience. I bet we see most of them in the national parks. In fact, I doubt that the film will do much to romanticize the thru-hiking experience. HOPEFULLY, it will build some awareness of the Trail and, perhaps, garner some financial support for clubs and the ATC. As for our role, we should get out on the trail and educate the neophytes who may playing out their fantasies post-film. Oh, another role? How about a casting call for former thrus to play a role in the movie as extras?! Now that would be fun!
Not sure if either Redford or Newman would qualify as eye candy any more....
I'm pretty sure I had heard of filming on the AT already. Anybody else hear about this?
Lilred you just said filming was already taking place, now you're asking? As I said, y'all are panicing.
Jack Tarlin
11-14-2006, 20:32
I was under the impression that the film was in pre-production: I was unaware that any actual filming had begun.
I'm also curious as to how they handle the script and story: In a film ostensibly about two codgers thru-hiking, how are they going to handle the fact that Bryson and Katz essentially ended their thru-hike in Gatlinburg, and that Bryson himself hiked, at most, perhaps 800 miles of the Trail?
I suspect (and this is NOT necessarily a bad thing) that the film will be very different from the book.
Hmmm... the Internet Movie Database has nada on this movie. The only thing "walk in the woods" brought up is a Cold War political think piece:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0461713/
IMDB tends to be very thorough. So, if there is indeed a movie being made, it may only be in the "Robert Redford has this cool idea" stage.
FWIW, if you look at Redford's upcoming movies, he is booked for 2007 and 2008. The one movie he is doing in 2007 is Aloft:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0373676/
Sounds like he may have been interested in Bryson's book, but modified the basic idea and did something different.
Gotta love IMDB!
ps. Here is the book ALOFT is based on:
http://www.amazon.com/Wing-Edge-Earth-Peregrine-Falcon/dp/1400031826/sr=8-1/qid=1163553156/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6617224-2152751?ie=UTF8&s=books
Redford is working on "Aloft", a story of two men who tackle a series of adventures while tracking the international flight path of the North American peregrine falcon.
My information is directly from industry sources, that I've personally spoken to.
Redford is working on "Aloft", a story of two men who tackle a series of adventures while tracking the international flight path of the North American peregrine falcon.
My information is directly from industry sources, that I've personally spoken to.
Maybe they will track the falcons as they hike the trail.:eek:
Jim Adams
11-14-2006, 22:38
the Atlanta Falcons?
the Atlanta Falcons?
I think that was tried a few years back.:-? They dropped off.:D
Anybody notice the spike in "Southbounders":p
Anybody notice the spike in "Southbounders":p
If I knew Olivia was hiking, I'd be right out there! Hang out with Slackpack and his old lady! :cool:
If I knew Olivia was hiking, I'd be right out there! Hang out with Slackpack and his old lady! :cool:
I know that's right.;)
Jack Tarlin
11-15-2006, 19:19
Actually, Sly, I don't think Redford is a candy-ass at all. Unlike a lot of celebrities who adopt pet political causes becuase they're trendy, and then discard them in short order, Redford has been a serious environmentalist for decades. It is to be hoped that some of this interest and activism extends to the A.T.; in that most major film productions cost between 50 and 125 million dollars, it'd be great if even a tiny fraction of this money found its way to the ATC or to local Trail clubs, and with Redford's involvement in the project (and Paul Newman is no charitable slouch, either), I think that in the end, the Walk in the Woods film might actually do more good for the Trail than harm.
Actually, Sly, I don't think Redford is a candy-ass at all. Unlike a lot of celebrities who adopt pet political causes becuase they're trendy, and then discard them in short order, Redford has been a serious environmentalist for decades. It is to be hoped that some of this interest and activism extends to the A.T.; in that most major film productions cost between 50 and 125 million dollars, it'd be great if even a tiny fraction of this money found its way to the ATC or to local Trail clubs, and with Redford's involvement in the project (and Paul Newman is no charitable slouch, either), I think that in the end, the Walk in the Woods film might actually do more good for the Trail than harm.
That makes a lot of sense Jack. I've never been one of these "there goes the neigborhood" philosophers though I understand there could well be a spike in interest and hikers. That doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact, it could be the start of something good.
SalParadise
11-15-2006, 20:23
I think that in the end, the Walk in the Woods film might actually do more good for the Trail than harm.
if only there was an avatar for crossed fingers.
Jack Tarlin
11-15-2006, 20:34
Sal:
The bottom line is that any film with Redford and newman in it is going to be seen by millions of folks. Just as the book did, the Walk in the Woods movie is going to introduce a ridiculous ammount of people to the Trail.
In some cases, this will be unfortunate, as some areas of the Trail will undoubtedly receive more use than is good, and subsequent damage might result.
On the other hand, the film could get all sorts of folks out hiking, either on the Trail, or elsewhere. Some of these folks may well become life-long hikers, and will subsequently introduce their friends, family members, and especially, their children, to hiking. Some of these folks may well become active in the hiking community, joinging Trail organizations and clubs. Some may become maintainers, or otherwise volunteer in positive ways.
I understand why some folks are concerned, but at the end of the day, I think the film will introduce an awful lot of folks to the A.T., and in doing so, I see a lot of good coming out of this. After all, every person who volunteers or advocates for the Trail in some way was once introduced to the A.T., either by a friend, family member, magazine article, whatever. For everyone, there was was a "first time" introduction to the Trail.
The Walk in the Woods movie is going to do this for millions of people, most of whom will never see or actually set foot on the Trail. However, it might inspire lots of folks to do the opposite, and I honestly think (at least after the first year or two of increased use and high-impact) that this will result in more good than harm.
Cuppa Joe
11-15-2006, 21:44
The movie is definitely in pre-production, or it was as of June this year. I spoke to a couple of people who had hosted the "big-wigs" of the movie in June. At that time it was mainly a Q&A type of meeting. Two things that I found out was the majority of the film was NOT going to made on the actual AT. Cost and access rights being the main issue here. Second, the production company HAD obtained the rights to do some filming in Harpers Ferry.
Most intersting of all is that the film was planned to be on the market in 2007. Of course, that is dependant on a lot of things but it looked like the ball was rolling on it. I had assumed no earlier than 2008.
I also read something a couple of days ago that I found interesting and I immediately thought of this moive. Redford and Newman were in NYC, for some benifit or whatever and Newman was "assisted" somewhat in his walking. If this is the case, how in the world are they going to portray him as hiking. After all, he is 81 years old!!
houthuse
11-15-2006, 23:34
Does anyone have any information that indicates that Redford and Newman are actually planning to star in the movie? The work they have been doing lately has been playing guys quite a bit older than Bryson and Katz, if those characters are even in the final script. Redford has his own production company and could easily make this film without being in it.
Skidsteer
11-15-2006, 23:38
Does anyone have any information that indicates that Redford and Newman are actually planning to star in the movie? The work they have been doing lately has been playing guys quite a bit older than Bryson and Katz, if those characters are even in the final script. Redford has his own production company and could easily make this film without being in it.
Good point.
SalParadise
11-16-2006, 00:22
I say crossed fingers because I think a project like this could go either way. Although I would agree that a movie about the AT would have a ton more potential for good than bad. More damage to the Trail, especially early on, no doubt. But also more ATC members and you'd hope a lot more money being donated to preservation from so many people who learn to appreciate it.
And if the Trail was damaged quite a bit from the number of hikers out there, it would take a lot of work, but couldn't some of the worse-hit sections also be rerouted and the old way allowed to regenerate?
Actually, isn't there at least some historical evidence, at least to a small degree? I'm not old enough to answer, but what happened to the Trail after the National Geographic article came out? Were things better or worse?
And heck, it'd make a lot of sense for the movie to have the two making it the whole way to Katahdin. It'd sure be a great ending.
Lone Wolf
11-16-2006, 00:37
I was on the trail the year before, during and after the Nat. Geo. article came out. No big influx. No big changes.
MedicineMan
11-16-2006, 01:40
it will be mostly from Springer to Neels Gap which is known to take a hard hit every thru-hiker season...maybe they'll run into Sgt Rock and he'll talk them into taking the BMT alternative
Big Dawg
11-16-2006, 01:59
Redford is working on "Aloft", a story of two men who tackle a series of adventures while tracking the international flight path of the North American peregrine falcon.
My information is directly from industry sources, that I've personally spoken to.
OK, which is it,,,,, "Aloft" or "Walk in the Woods"
skeeterfeeder
11-16-2006, 02:59
This is all I found on the subject.
http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=1669
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-91437
This article lays it all out.
Fiddleback
11-16-2006, 10:01
Does anyone have any information that indicates that Redford and Newman are actually planning to star in the movie? The work they have been doing lately has been playing guys quite a bit older than Bryson and Katz, if those characters are even in the final script. Redford has his own production company and could easily make this film without being in it.
I agree. It'd be fun...it'd be great...but I say that thinking of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It's sometimes sad to watch age take its toll of favorite actors but it's even sadder to watch favorite actors take on rolls that are no longer right for them. Carey Grant knew when he was no longer right for the romantic leading man, I'm sure Newman and Redford won't play Bryson and Katz unless they do a major rewrite of the book.
Newman is 81 and his most recent film was the animation, "Cars". He has mused that he has 'one more movie in me' and has talked of reuniting with Redford. But in those interviews, he speculates about what the movie would be and it's clear that nothing is firm: "(We're) working on something but it's not by any means a slam-dunk. (It has to be) either a wonderful character in a wonderful film or a character that was acceptable in a film with some social content." There's no hint in this statement that there is a script in mind for his longed-for reunion with Redford. Redford jokes, "The real question is whether he can remember his lines or not." http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000056/news
I'd love to see them do the Bryson book. But on the other hand, I wouldn't. Either it'd be much different characters or the two actors would fail miserably to carry off the portrayal and I don't believe the two would allow that to happen.
Time marches on...it's been over 20 years since Roger Moore was James Bond.
FB
Cuppa Joe
11-16-2006, 10:07
I forgot to mention this in my earlier post. They do have total "Artistic License" for the movie .. meaning it may not even closely resemble the book.
I forgot to mention this in my earlier post. They do have total "Artistic License" for the movie .. meaning it may not even closely resemble the book.
That should make some folks happy.:D ;)
Almost There
11-16-2006, 10:45
The movie will be filmed over in Eastern Europe with maybe a few on location shots in HF, etc. It will be like all of the recent American movies such as Cold Mountain...cheaper to film there. Nobody will notice but us...I agree might get more charitable donations but people are becoming more and more scared of the woods...not less.
Jan LiteShoe
11-16-2006, 10:52
Not sure if either Redford or Newman would qualify as eye candy any more....
Yeah. But they're still heart candy. :)
Jan LiteShoe
11-16-2006, 11:02
Does anyone have any information that indicates that Redford and Newman are actually planning to star in the movie? The work they have been doing lately has been playing guys quite a bit older than Bryson and Katz, if those characters are even in the final script. Redford has his own production company and could easily make this film without being in it.
Why doesn't someone write to him and ask him?
http://www.allmovieportal.com/contact_celeb.html :)
I was on the trail the year before, during and after the Nat. Geo. article came out. No big influx. No big changes.
The number of hikers in the 100-mile-wilderness doubled after a Backpacker feature a decade ago. Use trickled back to normal levels after a year or so, however.
Overall, however, the decline in hiker numbers has not been as sharp in Maine, which suggests that the challenge of wilderness still is an attraction for many hikers.
Unfortunately, the Maine "wilderness" is mostly an illusion now that most of the land abutting the trail corridor in this state has been sold to developers or those whose profits depend on selling to developers.
That's why it is a shame that so few trail lovers have donated to the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust. We'll all react in horror as condominiums begin to replace the wilderness.
But you can prevent at least some of the coming change. Just open:
www.matlt.org
and join our "high peaks" protection effort.
Weary
What a mess it would be. I can only wait for it to happen. I'm happy to have done the trail before this movie comes out. I'd just hate to see Springer turn into the Smokies. What a dump that place was. It's too bad, because the Smokies offer a lot of scenic areas. Who leaves behind 3 lb propane tanks all over the shelters? I can't imagine a thru-hiker.
Lone Wolf
11-16-2006, 11:19
The number of hikers in the 100-mile-wilderness doubled after a Backpacker feature a decade ago. Use trickled back to normal levels after a year or so, however.
Overall, however, the decline in hiker numbers has not been as sharp in Maine, which suggests that the challenge of wilderness still is an attraction for many hikers.
Unfortunately, the Maine "wilderness" is mostly an illusion now that most of the land abutting the trail corridor in this state has been sold to developers or those whose profits depend on selling to developers.
That's why it is a shame that so few trail lovers have donated to the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust. We'll all react in horror as condominiums begin to replace the wilderness.
But you can prevent at least some of the coming change. Just open:
www.matlt.org
and join our "high peaks" protection effort.
Weary
I remember that issue. Front page. MAINE'S 100 MILE WILDERNESS! Maineac and I talked about running guided hikes thru there. Feed em lobsters and steamers at night and such. We woulda made a killing off the yups.
RockyTrail
11-16-2006, 11:26
I like the idea of being optimistic about the effect of RR's movie.
In the 70's backpacking was a much bigger deal than today, and we survived it OK. In fact, what we have today is an echo of that recent past.
So, a few more hikers for a while might actually help keep some life in the sport/hobby/avocation or whatever you call it.