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The difference in trail markers between 2019 and now is wild
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umamartin12d ago
Oh my, you're right about those trail markers. I was just reading an article from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy about their switch to more reflective materials and simpler symbols. They said the old wooden ones would rot in a few seasons, so the change makes sense for safety even if it looks different.
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lunakim12d ago
Totally feel you on that wildlife concern, it's a tough tradeoff for sure.
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hugo_schmidt12d ago
Huh, that's interesting but I feel like everyone's missing the real issue here. Those reflective markers might be safer for hikers but they're probably a nightmare for wildlife. I read somewhere that bright reflective stuff can confuse birds and bats that use natural light patterns to navigate at night. Plus all that plastic and metal hardware instead of plain old wood means more trash in the woods when they do finally fall off. Feels like we're solving one problem by creating another one nobody wants to talk about.
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