I’m just wondering what the purpose or the origin of the article in the Feb. 21 Bangor Daily News was. I suppose I am one of the “problem” Appalachian Trail thru-hikers mentioned in the article. I summited on Oct. 12, while the park was closed because of Octobers early snowstorm. I felt the park’s closing of Mount Katahdin’s hiking trails at that time was excessive.

The day I summited, I enjoyed bright sunshine, blue sky and warm temperatures on Baxter Peak, while the mountain was closed because it was allegedly too dangerous to climb. Perhaps the park needs to consider that AT thru-hikers arriving at the entrance of the park are the most elite hikers in the world. The AT is physically the most difficult hiking trail in the world. That fact deserves special consideration.

It’s understandable that the park doesn’t want day hikers in jeans and sneakers to attempt a summit of Katahdin in inclement weather, but there is a vast difference between a sneaker-clad day hiker and an individual who has spent the past six months hiking two-thousand miles. The park does not make this distinction, and their characterization and treatment of thru-hikers is often extremely insulting. They should be honored to host the world’s most accomplished and talented hikers, and not seek ways to limit access to the park’s trails and ultimately to the achievement of their dreams.

Jason G. Richard

Bangor