junky little table on the summit

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robertjoy
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Joined: November 23rd, 2009, 11:53 am

junky little table on the summit

Post by robertjoy » September 29th, 2016, 11:06 am

The original unofficial signage marking the Heartbreak Ridge trail is fine with me. The newly placed "table mountain" markers with a Table icon over a Mountain icon, is offensively "cutesy". But the mini-table on the summit is now falling apart and should be removed and not replaced. Who puts up all this stuff, anyway? The craftsman who put it up there should remove the debris soon, or if that is too much effort it could just be tossed over the east slope. Some time back we had a death memorial at the Heartbreak viewpoint, and a bench of some sort on the Heartbreak "shoulder". Why does this route attract so much tacky alteration?

scrambler2
Posts: 449
Joined: June 20th, 2008, 11:38 am

Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by scrambler2 » September 30th, 2016, 1:05 am

I agree 100%.

No need for a cutesy table up there.
PCT class of 2012

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Chip Down
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Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by Chip Down » September 30th, 2016, 4:55 am

I'm conflicted.

I like finding quirky little bonuses when hiking. You know, that moment when you think "oh, hey, what's this?"

That said, such things are usually tacky, and it can get a little oppressive when others get on the bandwagon and add to the tackiness.

Overall, I can't recall ever feeling that these things significantly diminish my hiking experience.

This reminds me of that multi-page thread about cairns and rock-stacking art.

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retired jerry
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Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by retired jerry » September 30th, 2016, 5:34 am

Yeah, good point CD, obnoxious but not the biggest issue in the world to worry about

At least the rock piles are easily knocked over and made of natural materials :)

It would be okay if there were signs pointing the way to the summit - it's sort of confusing there

I don't really need a sign telling me I'm on the summit

mtnhiker56
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Joined: August 21st, 2011, 7:29 am

Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by mtnhiker56 » September 30th, 2016, 7:01 pm

Having been there recently, and having seen the table...I think you might look back on this post some years hence and reconsider your viewpoint.

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Chip Down
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Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by Chip Down » September 30th, 2016, 7:41 pm

retired jerry wrote:I don't really need a sign telling me I'm on the summit
Yeah, things like this (from an entirely different hike) make me laugh:
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IMG_20160911_105755927 b.jpg

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Chip Down
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Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by Chip Down » September 30th, 2016, 7:48 pm

Here's an example of something that's dangerously close to tacky, but I kinda appreciate this guy clarifying an otherwise unmarked trail (IIRC) and adding a little personality and warmth to the trail.
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IMG_20160701_124546914b.jpg

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Chip Down
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Re: junky little table on the summit

Post by Chip Down » September 30th, 2016, 7:54 pm

I'm on a roll! I can't stop!
More examples of things that are tacky or cute or profound. YMMV.
Attachments
ChainsawWhimsy1.jpg
ChainsawWhimsy2.jpg
bench.jpg
Interesting idea, a bit overwrought in execution. A memorial, I think.
BenchDetail.jpg

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