Fluorescent Orange Dots...too much for one person

[cynthia23]

Sorry Ken, but the "but they're only trying to stop people from getting lost" excuse doesn't cut it. Between all the GPS info, all the info on this board,and the many groups novices can hook up with, there's really no reason for any well-prepared person to get lost. And if we do need trail markers, surely we can do better than orange fluorescent paint. I repeat, whoever did this was a clueless fool and a total ickwad.

[Sally]

I am thoroughly flummoxed by the orange dots. I'm so curious about the intention of the person responsible...did they think they were helping? What was the point of all the dots on the rocks at Florian's Cache? Is the trail not obvious enough there? Baffling!

It's going to take a lot of effort to undo this mess. Actually, I fear the damage is so severe that it can't be undone. It will take multiple cans of paint to match the colors of the rocks if it is to be done right.

[cynthia23]

It might be a straight-up crazy person, but I think it's more likely a very very stupid guy who had a group of friends following behind him and wanted to 'help' them keep to the trail. We have had variations of this through the years when large groups headed by self-important idiots (I name no names) head up the trail. Wasn't it just last year when Some Genius left paper bags stuck on bushes for his followers behind? (help me out here--it wasn't paper bags but some other kind of paper. Somebody?) So I think, given its October and the groups are starting to come, it's likely a similar scenario.

Where are the man-eating mountain lions when we really, seriously need them to cull the herd?

[guest]

Hi,
I have painted over most of these totally unnecessary making up to 4k, then ran out of paint.
This idiot placed many of them on short-cuts which, if followed, will indeed not only cause erosion, but can actually make the regular route more difficult to follow, and help exhaust hikers unnecessarily.
BTW, True Valus has nice little 4" cans of spray paint in medium brown, or, I think a gray, which may be better higher up. I attempted to scratch some off with rocks, (as others seems to have before), but it doesn't work.
The last time a fool did this, we also tried paint thinner & other chems & wire brush, but the rock is so porous, and the paint too strong.

Any help on these will be appreciated by most, I'm sure.

SS

[Dave]

what a wanker!!

[Ellen]

what a wanker!!

Spot on, mate

I will carry a bottle of spray paint on the next Skyline and cover as much as I can.

I grumbled about what I'd do if we ran into anyone with a can of orange spray paint. The normally mild-mannered Sally morphed into a Valkyrie and said darkly, "I would spray "it" in the face with the pant and then shove the can up "its" rectum." She gave me permission to post that comment -- kind of sums up how I feel.

[Ken]

Sorry Ken, but the "but they're only trying to stop people from getting lost" excuse doesn't cut it. Between all the GPS info, all the info on this board,and the many groups novices can hook up with, there's really no reason for any well-prepared person to get lost. And if we do need trail markers, surely we can do better than orange fluorescent paint. I repeat, whoever did this was a clueless fool and a total ickwad.

I'm sure you didn't mean to come off as a jerk, yourself.
I was not ADVOCATING using such markings, just commenting on how things are done differently in different places.

It seems like everyone thinks that their approach is the only one permitted for any human to even consider, but I take the view that we are an interesting, diverse species, that comes up with all sorts of interesting things.

For example, it is now the vogue for the wilderness nazi types to state that NO signs should ever be permitted on any trail, and remove those they see. They also remove/destroy summit registers.

The fact that I'm mentioning that does not mean that I'm ADVOCATING it. I actually disagree, as I do painting dots.

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks, Ken, for the clarification. Hope the strong opinions aren't too off putting. Some people can get a little passionate about things.

I understand that there are regional differences. I know blazes of various types are very common back east. And of course there are differences of opinion in every location.

As for the Skyline Trail, my first and primary objection to the orange dots is that it was done without any consensus. Someone just sneaked in and did it. My second objection is that they a) aren't needed and b) are an eyesore.

HJ

P.S. I think people who destroy peak and trail registers suck. I'm OK with or without signage, but if there is a sign, it should be left in place.

[scotts]

We aren't dealing only with opinions, taste, individual expression or subjective notions of what is interesting in dot-work vs nauseating in so many ways. We're dealing with an action that eliminates all of the above for everyone who uses skyline.

Yes, the person who painted the dots was/is a jerk, and warrants every condemnation offered.

I'd also argue against the use of spraypaint dots in NH. Even if officially sanctioned and probably useful and accurate in some sense, they stink there too.

[Hikin_Jim]

Scott,

If you find yourself with an opinion, do let us know.

HJ