Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does 'prudent' mean?
What does 'prudent' mean?
- Showing good judgment or common sense (correct)
- An excess or surplus
- Hardworking; showing much effort
- Mysterious, especially in a weird or eerie way
What does 'uncanny' mean?
What does 'uncanny' mean?
- To focus attention on something
- Mysterious, especially in a weird or eerie way (correct)
- Hardworking; showing much effort
- Showing good judgment or common sense
What does 'diligent' mean?
What does 'diligent' mean?
- To fix or control the time, amount, degree, or rate of something
- An excess or surplus
- Hardworking; showing much effort (correct)
- In relation to other parts of a whole
What does 'regulate' mean?
What does 'regulate' mean?
What does 'proportional' mean?
What does 'proportional' mean?
What does 'surfeit' mean?
What does 'surfeit' mean?
What does 'concentrate' mean?
What does 'concentrate' mean?
What does 'insipid' mean?
What does 'insipid' mean?
What are single season hikers called and what are the chunk hikers called?
What are single season hikers called and what are the chunk hikers called?
What was Katz referring to when he said, 'Jeez, it's ugly'?
What was Katz referring to when he said, 'Jeez, it's ugly'?
Who was the first person to hike the entire AT in a single season in 1948?
Who was the first person to hike the entire AT in a single season in 1948?
What tree was once a thriving and beautifully majestic species of tree?
What tree was once a thriving and beautifully majestic species of tree?
What happened to the American chestnut tree in 1904?
What happened to the American chestnut tree in 1904?
People who complain about the AT being too crowded usually are referring to __________.
People who complain about the AT being too crowded usually are referring to __________.
Every twenty minutes on the AT, Bryson and Katz walk farther than the average American walks in a week. How far does the average American walk in one week?
Every twenty minutes on the AT, Bryson and Katz walk farther than the average American walks in a week. How far does the average American walk in one week?
All kinds of people have completed thru-hikes. One of the most famous was 'Grandma' Greenwood who successfully hiked the trail in her late sixties despite being eccentric, poorly equipped, and a danger to herself.
All kinds of people have completed thru-hikes. One of the most famous was 'Grandma' Greenwood who successfully hiked the trail in her late sixties despite being eccentric, poorly equipped, and a danger to herself.
A significant fraction of thru-hikers reach Katahdin.
A significant fraction of thru-hikers reach Katahdin.
When Earl V. Schaffer hiked the entire AT in 1948, no one from the Appalachian Trail Conference believed him.
When Earl V. Schaffer hiked the entire AT in 1948, no one from the Appalachian Trail Conference believed him.
The American Wilderness has been indiscriminately leveled, cleared, and stripped of its resources for centuries, resulting in many trees, plants, and animals being pushed to the point of extinction.
The American Wilderness has been indiscriminately leveled, cleared, and stripped of its resources for centuries, resulting in many trees, plants, and animals being pushed to the point of extinction.
Every twenty minutes on the AT, Bryson and Katz walk less than the average American walks in a week.
Every twenty minutes on the AT, Bryson and Katz walk less than the average American walks in a week.
When Bryson and Katz were in Waynesboro, Katz did laundry and Bryson was able to buy insect repellent.
When Bryson and Katz were in Waynesboro, Katz did laundry and Bryson was able to buy insect repellent.
Barbara was the name of the lady that Katz befriended in Waynesboro.
Barbara was the name of the lady that Katz befriended in Waynesboro.
Describe Earl V. Schaffer's contribution to the history of the Appalachian Trail.
Describe Earl V. Schaffer's contribution to the history of the Appalachian Trail.
What is the difference between 'thru-hikers' and 'section-hikers'?
What is the difference between 'thru-hikers' and 'section-hikers'?
What does Bryson mean when he describes the Appalachian Trail as being too crowded?
What does Bryson mean when he describes the Appalachian Trail as being too crowded?
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Study Notes
Vocabulary Terms
- Prudent: Demonstrates good judgment and common sense.
- Uncanny: Describes something mysterious or eerie.
- Diligent: Implies hard work and a strong effort.
- Regulate: Involves fixing or controlling the time, amount, degree, or rate of an activity.
- Proportional: Relates to other parts of a whole, indicating a relationship in size or degree.
- Surfeit: Refers to an excess or surplus of something.
- Concentrate: The act of focusing attention or thought on a specific subject.
- Insipid: Refers to something bland or lacking character and taste.
Hiking Insights
- Hiker Types:
- Thru-hikers: Those hiking the entire Appalachian Trail (AT) in a single season.
- Section hikers: Hikers who tackle the trail in segments over an unspecified duration.
Historical Highlights
- Gatlinburg Comment: Katz referred to Gatlinburg as "ugly."
- Earl V. Schaffer: The first person to complete the AT in a single season in 1948, faced skepticism from the Appalachian Trail Conference.
- American Chestnut Tree: Once a dominant species, it faced devastation in 1904 due to a fungus from infected lumber.
Trail Conditions
- Shelters: Complaints about overcrowding on the AT often pertain to the limited number of shelters, which fill quickly despite large stretches of trail with few hikers.
- Walking Distances: Every twenty minutes on the AT, Bryson and Katz cover more distance than the average American does in a week (1.4 miles).
Notable Facts
- Thru-hiker Demographics: A variety of individuals have successfully completed thru-hikes, including the notable "Grandma" Greenwood.
- Extinction and Wilderness: The American wilderness has undergone extensive depletion, endangering numerous trees, plants, and animal species.
- Misconceptions of Travel: Bryson and Katz's experiences in Waynesboro contradict expectations about laundry and purchasing insect repellent.
True/False Statements
- Thru-hikers reaching Katahdin: True; a significant number successfully achieve this goal.
- Accusations of Saga: True; skepticism about Schaffer's claim was prevalent during his time.
- Efforts towards halting Extinction: True; irresponsible logging and land use have led to the extinction threats faced by myriad species.
- Travel distance: False; Bryson and Katz actually walk farther than the average American.
Short Answers
- Earl V. Schaffer's Contribution: As the first hiker to complete the AT in a single season, he challenged the belief that it was impossible and faced disbelief upon reporting his accomplishment.
- Difference Between Hiker Types: Thru-hikers seek to walk the full trail in one go, whereas section hikers cover portions over a longer time frame.
- Crowding Complaints on the AT: Criticism regarding crowding often pertains specifically to the scarcity of sleeping shelters, which creates competition among hikers for overnight stays.
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