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redneck wrote:

MikeTX wrote:no doubt that the mountains in california are far more spectacular, but the ruggedness of the trails in pennsylvania have earned the state a reputation. AT hikers are often quoted as saying pennsylvania is where old boots go to die. perhaps this was what your uncle was thinking of.

So Pennsylvania is famous for crappy trails?

MikeTX wrote:

welle wrote:

redneck wrote:

MikeTX wrote:no doubt that the mountains in california are far more spectacular, but the ruggedness of the trails in pennsylvania have earned the state a reputation. AT hikers are often quoted as saying pennsylvania is where old boots go to die. perhaps this was what your uncle was thinking of.

So Pennsylvania is famous for crappy trails?

The thing with Eastern Mountains, especially Northeastern ones, the trails were put up in 19th and early 20th century by Calvinists, who found pleasure in torturing themselves. Most trails shoot up straight the incline without any bends that Westerners are spoiled by. I must agree though - summits with dense trees on them suck!

so true. perhaps instead of comparing forested areas we should be comparing areas with alpine vegetation. that's where the west truely dominates.

mrchad9 wrote:
So I very quickly rattled off a list. "Oh, so North Carolina has deserts, glaciers, volcanoes, lava tubes, salt lakes, thermal features, etc..."

Again, not to bash the east. Colorado doesn't have those things either.

Diggler wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:
So I very quickly rattled off a list. "Oh, so North Carolina has deserts, glaciers, volcanoes, lava tubes, salt lakes, thermal features, etc..."

Again, not to bash the east. Colorado doesn't have those things either.

Colorado definitely has deserts, (a few small) glaciers, & there are (extinct) volcanoes. There are some great hot springs, too!

welle wrote:I must agree though - summits with dense trees on them suck!

mrchad9 wrote:

Diggler wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:
So I very quickly rattled off a list. "Oh, so North Carolina has deserts, glaciers, volcanoes, lava tubes, salt lakes, thermal features, etc..."

Again, not to bash the east. Colorado doesn't have those things either.

Colorado definitely has deserts, (a few small) glaciers, & there are (extinct) volcanoes. There are some great hot springs, too!

True- you got me on the deserts and hot springs.

How big is St. Mary's? Does it have a crevasse? (not meaning to be sarcastic. I really don't know).

James_W wrote:The intact ancient forests are in green on this map. What parts are you speaking of in your comment?

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.

James_W wrote: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.

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.