[MA-RPC] FSTAG Comments

[Walt Daniels]

> 
> This is my basic comment in my write-up, they seem to want to 
> treat all "trails" the same.
> James Hooper

Not quite. USFS classifies trails on a primitive to urban scale and treats
all trails of a class the same. The great bulk of the AT is in one of the
two most primitive classes. Obviously there are urban-like settings where it
goes through towns like Duncannon or Hanover.

The rules one must obey are exception based. Everyone obeys the most
stringent ADA requirements of the trail class unless they qualify for one or
more of the exceptions. For the great bulk of the AT it is not hard to
qualify for an exception. The most "endangered" parts are near trailheads.
One of the things we need is a more carefull definition of a trailhead. Then
we can either avoid building many trailheads, put trailheads in a place
where the trail is tough enough to rate an exception, or be ADA friendly and
place trailheads in places where it is relatively easy to provide ADA people
with an AT-like experience without detracting too much from our notion of an
AT-experience.

One of the great things about the AT is the variety of experiences although
some complain about the long green tunnel. I look forward to parts of the AT
above treeline, through farm fields, up steep rocky terrain, strolling
comfortably along a woods road, etc. I don't see any reason why occasional
ADA accessible pieces would not add to the overall experience.

-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.5 - Release Date: 4/7/2005