[pct-l] Cascade Locks and Mt. Adams

[CMountainDave@aol.com (CMountainDave@aol.com)]

Right on, Monte! I've been on that road to Mt. Adams and it is absolutely the 
worst non 4 wheel drive road in the entire solar system! They could use any 
number of the pot holes for a a latrine. Doesn't user fees imply user 
services such as grading access roads occasionally? You're absolutely right. 
You get absolutely zilch for your $15
 Although I criticize the NPS from time to time, I must give them credit for 
one thing. They do allow chainsaws for trail maintenance whereas the USFS 
does not ( at least on the Olympic Peninsula) Doesn't common sense dictate 
that it is a far more efficient use of manpower and money to cut a log with a 
chainsaw instead of a misery whip? You would think that the USFS would allow 
this one and only exception to the Wilderness Act of 1964 but NO, rules are 
rules even if they cause an incredible waste of time and money when it comes 
to trail maintenance. Oh, well, at least they allow trails. I'm reluctant to 
admit it, but apparently ONP has some sense of common sense.  And yes I do 
support saving the remaining shelters there. The mice gotta live somewhere! I 
get around the mice problem by giving them what they want and I lighten up my 
load by not having to carry out food waste. I figure once their cute little 
bellies are stuffed they'll  fall asleep and leave me the hell alone so I can 
get a good nights sleep. A pan with burnt macaroni  on the bottom keeps them 
busy all night if they have insomnia. ( yes I know I shouldn't feed the 
wildlife but when it comes to mice I figure its feed them now or feed them 
later - and if you put your food in a canister or on a bear wire they REALLY 
get mad and get even by conspiring to keep you awake all night by playing tag 
team around your tent or chewing on your gear) I'm hoping some day to train 
them to do tricks like sit up and roll over - think Mr. Jingles of "The Green 
Mile" (All the above about mice is TIC so no lectures, please)
   I pity any thru hiker in Wa. this past week. We had double August's 
average rainfall in 2 days but at least the snow level was quite high and the 
fire season is now kaput here in W. Wa.
   I'm off to climb Mt. Baker on Monday. (another heavily glaciated volcano)