Shepherd, Al-i-baba and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Disclaimer
I am @Bootstrap, the following article is my opinion. Names and places are used in context to a degree as accurate as words can allow. This message starts with a introduction and ends with a summary of my weekend long experience and thoughts on the ATC-Goat fiasco.
Introduction
After hearing the hilarious and funny story of a hiker that is hiking with a goat, I looked forward and was exalted, to eventually meet the two. I was joyfully entertained and positively affected by this event. Links to relevant pages are listed at the end of this article, as well as what you can do about the situation.
Hearing his story of hiking six months bartering for existence and being motivated by other people he meets to write a book ( a radio talk-show host included). He shared his intent to donate any revenue generated from sales of the book or other donations to the ATC and to sponsor other hikers to thru-hike the Appalachian trail.
And then things changed, ... for the worse.
A dude came up to me with intentional authority after exiting from a ATC pickup van, asking if al-i-baba is my goat. Thinking back I should have replied in the affirmative and give the person on the other end of the line a piece of my mind. Unfortunately that did not happen and I directed the bearer of unnecessary news to the owner of the goat. And opted to air my view utilizing the internet for this purpose.
ATC head ranger notified shepherd that his goat is not allowed on the trail.
This came as a shock and disappointment to me, a loving animal that puts a smile on everyones face that I met and spoke with in this regard. It is unusual, strange and therefore incredibly funny. It results in smiles , chuckles, giggles and contributes to hikers journeys in the most positive entertaining way.
The Reasoning
Bob the owner of the cellphone, and snitch in my mind, argued that its against regulations. No proof, written or otherwise printed, posted or in soft form, were presented or referred to in support of his viewpoint. The verbal discussion were based on the following irrational reasoning.
Only foot travel
This argument is also relevant to dogs, given the interpretation that its intent is understood as 'only human travel by own feet', dogs should not be allowed on the trail either.
Argument against dogs on the trail
Dogs can carry rabies, as preventative measures they should be tested on a regular interval and papers presented at most disruptive locations a frequencies to decrease the danger of a hiker being bitten. Mouth guards should be worn by dogs at all times. Dog poop should be carried out. Dogs may not carry packs, since this would classify them as pack animals that are not allowed on the trail. These risks are not relevant to goats. Dog owners therefore may consider goats as hiking partners instead of bonding with K-9's, as illogical as it may sound!
Pack animals
The goat carries a pack, so to does dogs. This regulation refers to mules and horses. A goat by latin species classification is not a mule, neither a horse. Uneducated ATC Bob needs some training in this regard, before he makes a fool of himself like this again.
A Fine and jail term
Apparently according to the head ranger, shepherd can be fined for walking the trail with a goat, jail time may be served. What judge in the name of God would send a man to jail for walking on a trail with a goat? What sensible God fearing man would intentionally put actions in place to result in such a severe punishment? Apparently none other than ATC.
A complaint from 'someone'
Someone phoned the ranger an complained that the goat on the trail is unnatural. I do believe that anyone in their right mind would understand that in the ecosystem of the trail the most unnatural element in the woods are hikers and dogs. Someone who interprets and perceives a goat to be unnatural in a trail habitat is in the wrong place, uneducated, or needs more exposure to elements out of his/her comfort zone.
Church property and sunday
What angers me the most is ATC bob's blatant disregard for the sabbath, to come and enforce non-existing trail regulations away from the trail, on church 'holy' property on a sunday above all is positively evil. I do believe that God will smite thee (bob) with the fury of a thousand demons that has been expelled from hell due to bad behavior.
Positive influence
The knowledge of the guy with the goat is well-known amongst the hikers. All with funny stories and packed with amusement, all in all no complaints. It decidedly made my day and journey more exiting. Feedback about the good influence that he and his goat has had on travelers meeting him is astounding to say the least.
ATC Join the Journey
Bob from the ATC as in a matter of moments ignored what ATC stands for, as well as the motto painted on the side of their van ' join the journey' and is arguably the person responsible for blowing the horn when he saw the animal. He together with the head ranger destroyed shepherds journey. Worthless mindless idiotic homosapiens in my mind.
Absence of appropriate signs
Nowhere were signs posted that clearly prohibits goats from the trail.
Spreading of seeds
A goat defecate what it eats in one day, this is in less than 20 miles from the original location of consumption. While other species of plant relies on birds and animals to spread its seeds over greater distances for its survival. Prevention and control of locale specific plant species to spread in this natural fashion would necessitate the destruction of many a animal a bird species. This is logically unwise to even attempt to intervene in this facet of ecosystem and therefore a superfluous argument.
Damage to trail
The impact of a goat boils down to its droppings that are similar to that of a rabbit and its hoofs that are similar to that of deer. Yet the head ranger cannot phantom this simplistic correlation. He should resign, thereafter kill himself and be awarded a darwin award!
The 80/20 pareto principle clearly indicate that conservancy effort should be concentrated on the 20 percent of factors that causes 80 percent of damage to the trail.
This 20 percent is arguably hikers boots and poles and not a single goat. But then again what does stupid people know?
Echo Management
The ATC allow the use of goats to eco manage pest vegetation on Appalachain lands (see links below). Perhaps all personell and employees of the ATC should at all times carry a valid certificate of mental health?
What Can You Do
Some trail maintainer personell present unfortunatly failed to comprehend the destruction caused to Shephards journey, they still politely requested donations for the ATC! Donations should go to trail maintaner clubs directly (after mental health has been determined), and NOT to the ATC! The head ranger should recieve a minimum wage - if at all, instead.
Conclusion
No legislation or regulation was found or referred to in support of their judgement, therefore it is seen as unjust and severe an totally unnecessary. ATC should grant Shepard and Al-i-baba immediate permission to continue their journey to fill other hikers hearts with joy and thereby alleviate their experience of the Appalachian trail. Trail maintainer clubs should be supported directly without the involvement of the ATC.
Summary
I am VERY disappointed in the ATC, and this article serves as a written statement of this fact and their incompetence. My perception of their ability to reason has been permanently altered. Their ability to manage sensibly has been utterly destroyed. Bob's ignorance of Sunday as a religious day, will perhaps be dealt with by God himself.
Links
ATC eco use of goat power on the trail
YouTube - Shephard's viewpoint
Radio broadcast transcript and audio files