Trail Associations/Clubs

[Johnny Thunder]

I've mentioned elsewhere that there isn't much information topically available about the individual hiker-related statutes of each trail state, and that what there is seems to be limited either to discussions involving a few people or references to "The Law", which may not be really understood by all.

This is a suggestion generally, but particularly to the admins (depending on their thoughts and/or further responses here):

Why not create "sub forums" for the individual legal environments provided by the trail-states that exist as discussion points about them, much as is done for shelters? And then let each Bar Association know that the sub forum exists, and that they can post to it. WB is basically the "one stop shop" now for most AT info (and growing as to other trail info, I think) as well as backpacking, and this could be a very useful thing.

It'd include not just the local Bar Representatives but hikers and lawyers from other states who wish to learn about the specific legal issues imposed on hikers before a. traveling to the specific state with the intention of hiking or b. espousing informed advice to those intending to do so.

An Example: When traveling to my home town on or around the 4th of July it is illegal to posess, use, or distribute Silly String. Hikers should know things of this nature.

Johnny

"Well, what I figured they did, they cut out a picture of your head and pasted it on another different picture! I've done some collage work myself"

[Jester2000]

A suggestion for the admins:

Can you create a forum for people who want to suggest the creation of new forums?

[The Weasel]

I've mentioned elsewhere that there isn't much information topically available about the individual hiker-related statutes of each trail state, and that what there is seems to be limited either to discussions involving a few people or references to "The Law", which may not be really understood by all.

This is a suggestion generally, but particularly to the admins (depending on their thoughts and/or further responses here):

Why not create "sub forums" for the individual legal environments provided by the trail-states that exist as discussion points about them, much as is done for shelters? And then let each Bar Association know that the sub forum exists, and that they can post to it. WB is basically the "one stop shop" now for most AT info (and growing as to other trail info, I think) as well as backpacking, and this could be a very useful thing.

It'd include not just the local Bar Representatives but hikers and lawyers from other states who wish to learn about the specific legal issues imposed on hikers before a. traveling to the specific state with the intention of hiking or b. espousing informed advice to those intending to do so.

An Example: When traveling to my home town on or around the 4th of July it is illegal to posess, use, or distribute Silly String. Hikers should know things of this nature.

Johnny

"Well, what I figured they did, they cut out a picture of your head and pasted it on another different picture! I've done some collage work myself"

Johnny--

I think this link would be much more useful to you.

http://www.sarcasmsociety.com

The Weasel

[Kirby]

I think this is a good idea because some of these organizations do a pathetic job with maintaining their websites (MATC is one for sure). It would be nice to have a forum dedicated to sharing information about different trail organizations. Even information on the ATC's website is out of date. For example, when you go to find out information about backpacking workshops, one of them is for a backpacking workshop that took place in 2005(the Kittery trading post one if someone is curious or if someone from the ATC is reading this).All I am really asking for is that these different groups maintain their websites so their information is accurate and up to date.

Kirby

[ki0eh]

I think this is a good idea because some of these organizations do a pathetic job with maintaining their websites (MATC is one for sure). It would be nice to have a forum dedicated to sharing information about different trail organizations. All I am really asking for is that these different groups maintain their websites so their information is accurate and up to date.

Kirby

I didn't like club websites that weren't updated either. So, even though all I know about HTML is what I learned in 1995, I wound up moving from complaining mostly to myself to (now for several years) a webmaster for two A.T.-maintaining clubs, http://www.satc-hike.org and http://geocities.com/cvatclub . They're not flashy or pretty but I do try to keep them up to date and sometimes even remember to delete the rotten links.

I believe nearly all the A.T. club websites are maintained, like nearly all the A.T., by volunteers. Although speaking for myself feedback is welcomed and I do try to address it when I become aware of it, folks with more time and talent are always welcome to step forward to help. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

[emerald]

kirby,

It would likely do far more good were you to contact MATC's webmaster Terry L. Karkos than WhiteBlaze with your concerns. You might be surprised to find someone who would be grateful for your assistance.

I recently suggested an additional link to SATC's website and it was added the next day.

Shades of Gray

[Appalachian Tater]

The whole point of the internet is that it's easy to access information located on different servers all over the world, so there's no need to bring all the information to one local spot. Even Google, which has basically done that, merely acts as a way of finding the information instead of serving it.

A list of links is a great idea.

[Appalachian Tater]

I think this is a good idea because some of these organizations do a pathetic job with maintaining their websites (MATC is one for sure). It would be nice to have a forum dedicated to sharing information about different trail organizations. Even information on the ATC's website is out of date. For example, when you go to find out information about backpacking workshops, one of them is for a backpacking workshop that took place in 2005(the Kittery trading post one if someone is curious or if someone from the ATC is reading this).All I am really asking for is that these different groups maintain their websites so their information is accurate and up to date.

Kirby

Kirby, you come across as the kind of intelligent and capable person who would make an excellent volunteer for the MATC to assist with maintaining their website, especially since you live in Maine. Even if you're not an I.T. kind of guy, the site looks fairly simple.

[emerald]

Even information on the ATC's website is out of date.

Kirby

Not the information on hunting seasons and bag limits since it's linked by ATC and provided by the individual states themselves. Who knows more about those regs than the people who create them and enforce them?

[The Weasel]

Not the information on hunting seasons and bag limits since it's linked by ATC and provided by the individual states themselves. Who knows more about those regs than the people who create them and enforce them?

While they know the regulations, they do not always do a good job of making it easy to find them or to understand them.

The Weasel

[emerald]

I couldn't agree more. I have a friend employed by DCNR who knows what you've pointed out. We talk about it and share email about it. I've been pestering others to help make it more available too.

If hikers don't know the laws, regs and other rules they're expected to follow, how can they be expected to follow them? It's a good thing there isn't more enforcement. Without more effort devoted to education, we'd all be locked up before long.

ATC has a wealth of information on their site, but it takes some digging to locate it. What I linked today was something I don't believe I ever saw before and I visit their site often.

[WalkinHome]

Speaking from first hand knowledge and experience, it won't surprise to to learn that clubs like the MATC or the ATC have too few volunteers trying their best to do too many jobs. It is not because we want to be over-tasked, but there are not enough folks stepping up to the plate. We welcome all as volunteers though it may not be as easy as you would like to break in but if you have a love of the trail and the passion to go with it you should persevere. COME ON DOWN!!!

PS if you wish to know what my list of jobs looks like send me a PM. And I am a lightweight!!LOL

[walkin' wally]

Speaking from first hand knowledge and experience, it won't surprise to to learn that clubs like the MATC or the ATC have too few volunteers trying their best to do too many jobs. It is not because we want to be over-tasked, but there are not enough folks stepping up to the plate. We welcome all as volunteers though it may not be as easy as you would like to break in but if you have a love of the trail and the passion to go with it you should persevere. COME ON DOWN!!!

PS if you wish to know what my list of jobs looks like send me a PM. And I am a lightweight!!LOL

Yeah, about being busy with MATC;

Weary had a post a little while ago that said, If you want to get something done ask the busy person to do it.

By the way, I just got the section directly south of yours to maintain.

[Sly]

All I am really asking for is that these different groups maintain their websites so their information is accurate and up to date.

Kirby

Are you asking them or just telling us?

[emerald]

To learn more about A.T. maintaining clubs, go here.

[WalkinHome]

We, at the MATC, are running as fast as we can. To his credit, Kirby has been on at least two MATC work trips helping build privies. But there is allot more to a maintaining club than the glamorous? trail work LOL.