I’m just back from a few weeks on the AT, going NOBO in Virginia. Shelter vandalism was a much discussed topic. No disrespect to rickb, yes, there are some big time problems to be dealt with, but saying that should not give a pass on “ everyday” issues like vandalism on the AT. On 6/2, we had a first hand experience with a younger female thru hiker & her young male thru hiking partner. After seeing her “signature tag” just about everywhere day after day, we actually witnessed her defacing yet another shelter. When we suggested she was vandalizing the shelter, she said” no I’m not, and everyone else is doing it. If there was no other stuff there I wouldn’t do it”. Boyfriend chimed in, “no big deal, sharpie markings come off easily”. Just following the crowd makes it alright! Need I say more….
AT hikers are not criminals, they are in fact, mostly educated, intelligent and good people. Those who make a routine of using sharpies to leave their mark however, are self centered, egotistical, and thoughtless. Not caring a bit about the effort put into actually cleaning up their mess. And how hard can it be to find out who the offenders are? I mean they’re actually signing their own trail name all along the AT!
Now if you want to really talk about trail vandalism, just spend a few weeks hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. There was not a sign, post, wall, rock or fence that wasn’t filled with graffiti, rants and obscenities.
Don’t get me started!
"How can something this hard be so much fun".
My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant
I don't see the big deal about graffiti inside a shelter[as long as it is not offensive in nature]. The shelter itself is a blight to the trail and the wilderness. However, graffiti on natural elements is inexcusable.
The shelter log is the place to "make your mark" and leave your name not the shelter itself IMHO.
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
Hobbs. Regarding the Camino, I honestly don’t know. It was so obvious & prevalent that you get the feeling the Spanish government just doesn’t care. There was one guy in particular that marked signs with political rants for hundreds of kilometers, in English, nonetheless. There are clearly a lot of factions/ regions that don’t like each other, or the way Spain’s government handled things within these regions ( Basque, Catalonia, and others), so it’s easy to see where this all came from.
I was really surprised at it all, on the Camino, a Spanish treasure that sees Pilgrims from all over the world.
"How can something this hard be so much fun".
My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant
OTOH, trees.
This on the Long Path in Harriman SP. Makes me appreciate the fact that a few billion years from now the Earth will be burned to a crisp when the Sun enters its red giant expansion phase. Of course there will be another K-T event before that.
Tree_carving.jpg
The Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter ~ Cam "Swami" Honan of OZ
Well, at least they aren't carving their names into the woodwork with knives like in the good old days. That takes time and effort. A Sharpie is so much easier. Eventually, the walls will need a new coat of paint and it can all start again.
High Rocks overlook in MD was quite colorful, seem to remember there were 2-3 overlooks like that.
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I couldn't agree more!! That's why they are there + trail communications!! Seems the "Self-centered" younger crowd is growing & growing, they seem to be a me me me society !! When I hiked the PCT in 2016 (sobo) it was so refreshing not having any shelters & seeing this disrespect.
I also knock down stacked rocks that are not directional markers. I enjoy the untouched beauty of the forests & keeping it wild.
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
I am a Maintainer in Virginia and we have graffiti at the Paul Wolfe shelter. Just today, I was informed we had more "tags" at the shelter. Sanded away by maintainers. Images of all tags sent to ATC and LEO's.
There are so many miles and so many mountains between here and there that it is hardly worth thinking about
Let's not paint with such a broad Sharpie folks.
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
Hows it a broad assumption or NON fact this years class sucks? Tell me where theres evidence from georgia to Post clinton? One Graffitti artist was coersed to get off trail after a crap load of Tagging to Include NP property? SO explain how this is a braod brush? I like to understand your reasoning? Since he was publishing it on IG
My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant
You've taken a couple of anecdotal examples and painted an entire class with giant uninformed strokes.
That is the definition of a 'broad assumption'.
Seriously? I don't know what the numbers are like this year but pre-Covid there were more than 2000+ thruhikers a year. If 20 of them were bad apples that would be just 1%. Even if 200 sucked that would be just 10%, leaving 90% as not sucking. Met them all have you? Did like 300 of them Sharpie you while you were passed out or something? How many people are you basing your estimate on? Stereotype much?
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
Didnt expect a comical reply thank you. Point blank how many of the rest of the class are saying cut the $%^ to them. Thats not sterotyping Plus were you on IG when the ATC posted about the paintings on the tree. People against it brought up the sticks and rocks former Thru hikers. Most of this class thinks its ok. Its not ok its not.The one person thts made a public plea if I read his message correctly is ODIE. I dont see Anything on social media. ANd yes the FB Class page is just egging the crap on. I saw one hiker call out this years class on the page due to Post clinton Trash being left by hikers. SO we no longer call out hikers or just turn the blind eye to garbage?
My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant