Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25234
~ letters to the editor:: MATT ROTANDO'S TALE OF EPIPHANY ON THE ApPALACHIAN TRAIL (ZEN AND THE ART OF WALKING, APRIL/MAY 2001) CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF WHY I CHOOSE NATURE AND OUR BEAUTIFUL PLANET AS MY RELIGION AND CHURCH. Whether poking around my backyard, the ocean or the mountains, Nature puts it all in perspective. Some of my most precious, crysta l-clear memories are when I've been soaked, dirty and exhausted with blisters on my feet and all I need on my back ... drinking a crappy cup of coffee made on someone's beat-up Coleman stove. Thanks for such a great magazine ... until I can escape again, blue helps me keep my head on stra ight. Lauren di Scipio Russo Wilton, Connecticut First of al l, let me say that I love your magazine. More than just the content , I like the attitu de, and the cultura l and environmental responsibility that you pro- mote. One litt le thing though, on page 38 the Trail issue where you mention that the Appalachian Tra il passes through 14 stat es. It actually only goes through 13 states: ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA, WV, VA, TN, NC, GA. Just thought you should know. Take it easy. Holden The Trail issue (April/May 2001) was the first issue I saw and I am impressed with your publication .. Yet in "Practica l Trail ," I was bothered by the use of an obsceni- ty. Of all the words the writer could have chosen, he chose "s-t." Anyone with good, solid writing skills doesn't rely on crude words to express himself. Susan B Walton Nice work on the Trail issue! Although I am genera lly a voracious reader of jour- nals and magazines, I don't find a whole heck of a lot that I can enthusiastica lly pass on to my friends and family. I find that my 13-year old son, Jesse, and my 18-year old daughter, Kerry, are terrif ic critics. It's easy to see which ones turn them on. Do they request that I subscribe to a specific magazine? Do they read it? Do they pass it along? So far, the top of their list using those criteria are (in no discernible order) the Victoria's Secret cata log, The New Yorker, National Geographic and blue! As somewhat of an insider in the business myself, I agree that blue is an engaging, different and always provacative read. How can I purchase back issues? Got to keep my kids reading, you know, and I must keep my soul al ive ! Thomas Schwarz, editorial director American Journal of Nursing New York, NY THANKS! BACK ISSUES CAN BE PURCHASED BY CALLING 1-800-429-0106. After returning from a three-day backpacking trip in the Northern Japanese Alps I sat down and read your article, "The World's Best Trails," (Apri l/May 2001). If you were to expand your list to eight trails it would have to include PHOTO SENT BY READER TODD RANKIN. HIKING THE DAIKIRETTO. JAPAN any circu it hike beginning in Kamikochi, standing atop Mt Yari and trekking through the famous "Daikiretto." The "Daikiretto" section of the hike is between Mt Yari to the north and Kita-hotaka-dake to the south . It is extremely strenu- ous and exposed. The trail follows a razorback ridge line and requires boulder- ing, climbing ladders and holding on, perilously, to bolted chains w ith several hundred foot drops a mere slip away. It is the most intense and exhilarating section of non-technical "hiking" I have ever done. We camped in between the two summits that form the boundary of the "Daikiretto" and awoke to a phe- nomenal sunrise. In addition, clouds were cascading over the ridgeline from the west and down into the valley below us. This is a magical spot , definitely the best trail in Japan and belongs up there next to any stretch of the AT. Todd Rankin Tokyo,Japan What was Ryan Townsley's trail name? I thru-hiked last year and met, know and hiked with many of the folks he mentions on page 38. We must have met. <>- (Diamond) Doug Assistant Attorney General Department of Transportation RYAN TOWNSLEY DIDN'T USE A TRAIL NAME, BUT HE FONDLY REMEMBERS MEETING DIAMOND DOUG. PLEASE SEND LETTERS, COMMENTS AND IDEAS FOR PUBLICATION IN blue BY POST: 611 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY, 10012, USA ATTN: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/AMY SCHRIER BY EMAil: LETTERS@BLUEMAGAZINE.COM LETTERS MAY BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY 18