James_W wrote:tioga wrote:James_W and redneck: What is this bashing of the eastern United States mountains? Have you guys ever even been to Pennsylvania? I bet you would have a different view on the mountains there if you spent some considerable time there. And why are the California mountains suddenly so big? There are mountains in this world that would make them look like mere hills. Note, I am not saying that the California mountains are bad; I have been to California once and really enjoyed the beauty it had to offer. However, I agree with Sarah.Simon that the eastern mountains are a completely different type of mountain than the western mountains.
Also, James_W, I agree that the eastern US mountains may not contain 'ancient' forests, as most of the territory there has been logged over at least once. However, one thing I noticed on that map was that there is considerable more forests in the eastern US compared to the western US. Believe me, it is not all cities, highways, and suburbs out here. Try going to northern Maine, northcentral Pennsylvania, or a number of other places and you will see that the eastern US does indeed have 'wild' areas and beauty. So, again, I stress my first point; spend time in these mountains and you will find the great beauty there.
Born and raised in the east and have seen most of it from northern Ontario to southern Florida. I doubt there is a place you have seen that I have not.
Sorry if it sounded like I was "pissing" but I just don't get it when people try to say that the East is all just a bunch of hills. I grew up in the Mid-Atlantic region (so, even shorter than most of the popular destinations in the East), but I still have a great respect for the mountains there. But I guess it is very much different for each person. If you expect to get the 'awe' feeling that one might get in the High Sierras in the lower mountains of Pennsylvania, then you will probably go away disappointed. There is something else there that keeps bringing me back. Like MoapaPk said, "the woods, even the swamps near home were filled with flowers, wild animals and I was filled with awe." So, I am not disrespecting the western mountains at all (for they are more spectacular, in some ways) but more wondering why people have to delegitimize someone else's experience in the mountains, just because it is in a 'smaller' range. And I don't even think Mt. Davis is the best PA has to offer.
And regarding your quote about the places I have seen; have you been to northcentral PA, specifically the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (aka. Pine Creek Gorge)? One of my favorites! (though, it wouldn't be canyon-like in the minds of a desert-southwesterner).
But keep enjoying BC! I hope to visit that area someday.