[pct-l] Backpacker Magazine's reply

[Reinhold Metzger]

Backpacker Magazine seems to take their readers opinion serious.
I am impressed by their prompt response
The following is Backpacker Magazine's reply:
-----------------------------------------

Kent Ebersole wrote:
> Reinhold,
>
> Thanks for the email regarding your take on our October hikes piece.  I
> kind of agree with you having hiked many Canyon hikes myself.  However,
> I sent your email on to the edit staff and will see what their take on
> your point is!  Consider your voice heard as we do appreciate the
> feedback.
>
> KENT 
> w   303.625.1605
> c    503.228.5948
> f    303.648.6253
>  
>  
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Reinhold Metzger [mailto:reinholdmetzger at cox.net] 
> Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 1:04 PM
> To: PCT; Kent Ebersole; Deems; MONTE DODGE; Al Shaver; Sorensen, Aaron
> BM1; Michael Popov
> Subject: Americas 10 most dangerous hikes?
>
> I can't believe the October issue of Backpacker magazine rates the Grand
>
> Canyon Bright Angle Trail America's 2nd most dangerous hike.
> Over the last 25-30 years I have rafted and hiked every trail in the 
> canyon, most of them multiple times.
> If there is one area that I have hiked more extensively than the Sierra,
>
> it would be the ''Canyon.''
> I have always considered the Bright Angel to be the least dangerous of 
> the Grand Canyon trails and we always make it a mandatory required 1st 
> Grand Canyon hike for our Boy Scouts in our Troop.
> Don't get me wrong, with 4380 vertical feet and 100+ degree 
> temperatures, the Bright Angel is a tough trail, but certainly not the 
> toughest in the Canyon.....It has what many of the other trails don't 
> have....shade & water in several locations and is well defined and 
> heavily traveled....that is why it is known as the ''Freeway.''
> There are other primitive trails in the ''Canyon,'' without shade or 
> water or people, which are far more dangerous than the Bright Angle.
> Take the Apache Trail for instance, we had to haul 15 liters of water
> each.
> In 100 - 120 degree heat you need lots of water....the ''Canyon'' is 
> very unforgiving....it tolerates no fools.
>
> The only reason the bright Angle is ranked so high on the danger list, 
> above the other Grand Canyon trails, is because it is the ''Freeway'' 
> and is heavily used by inexperienced hikers and visitors who 
> underestimate the trail and the heat and run into trouble.
>
> JMT Reinhold
> aka....The Canyon Rat
>
>