Jealous Jabs Not Justified

I enjoyed the article on Chris Calfee’s ultimate 325-mile run, but I was bothered by his comments about fellow ultrarunner Dean Karnazes. Calfee and others have criticized “Utlramarathon Man” Karnazes for his seemingly large ego and for writing a best-selling book about his personal adventures. This seems a bit odd, as other top runners nationwide-including Calfee-have accepted marketing endorsements and interviews with magazines regarding their running accomplishments. A bit of jealousy perhaps? I met Karnazes in Atlanta this past year, and found him to be an incredibly polite, friendly, intelligent, down to earth guy who just happened to be crazy enough to attempt some amazing ultra-running endeavors, and was clever enough to publish a book about it. For average middle-aged guys like me who try to live a double life before- and after-hours as endurance athletes, Karnazes has served as a great role model.

Brian Tate, Spartanburg, S.C.

Guilty by Association

I enjoyed Graham Averill’s litany of sorrows in “Confessions of a Guilty Conscience.” While many of his amusing self-lacerations are not his fault, one thing he should deservedly feel guilty about is voting Republican. If he genuinely feels bad about polluting and exploiting, voting Republican is only making the pollution and exploitation worse.

Jill Youse, Hendersonville, N.C.

Montreat Madness

Please be more considerate and accurate in your descriptions of local hikes. In last month’s hiking calendar, BRO described Montreat, N.C. as “an isolated community of rich people that hosts a religiously bent private college” and suggested that it was an unsuitable place to hike because of the number of fundamentalist Christians residing in the area. As one of the non-rich residents of Montreat, I found the way you characterized the community as unfair and insulting. It’s probably not a good idea to insult the very people who pay and maintain the trails you want to hike on.

Peter Boggs, Montreat, N.C.

Back to School

I loved the description of the cliquish ski scene in January’s “Cool School.” I’m a geezer well on my way to Lameville, but I am still a snowsports addict. I religiously check the weather reports in hopes of snow-though here in the South, we seem to have passed some global warming tipping point.

Rick Van Noy, Radford, Va.

Call of the Wild

Your article on outdoor careers was quite inspiring. It’s refreshing to hear about others who are following their hearts and sharing their passion for the outdoors. They remind us what getting outside is really all about: connecting to nature and to each other in meaningful ways. These connections are worth far more than money.

Kelly Curtis, Hampton Roads, Va.

Cool Warming Story

Finally, someone is talking about global warming’s effect on Southern snowsports (“Forecast: The Future of Southern Snowsports,” January ’06). Thanks for getting the dialogue started with your thought-provoking story. Lift ticket prices will continue to skyrocket, because Southern resorts have to make so much artificial snow due to increasingly mild temperatures throughout the winter. I applaud the handful of Southern ski resorts that have signed on to the “Keep Winter Cool” partnership-and I'm disappointed that more resorts have not done so.

Leslie Alhanati, Atlanta, Ga.

Best and Worst

Your Best of the Outdoors issue was the best compilation of regional superlatives I’ve come across in 15 years of living and hiking in the Blue Ridge. I’m keeping that issue as a reference for future hikes. I enjoyed the Worst of the Outdoors awards, too-although I disagree with your selection of Eric Rudolph as Worst Outdoor Villain. The coal industry has killed far more people than Rudolph and done far more long-term damage. Take, for example, the tragic coal slurry spill in Martin County, Ky., the deadly landslides, the poisoned drinking water, the sludge-filled rivers, the mowed-off mountaintops, and of course the recent fatal mining disasters. Kudos to whistleblower Jack Spadaro, activist Julia Bonds, and other courageous locals who are putting their careers-and even their lives-on the line to stop coal companies from obliterating our health, our scenery, and our economy.

Josh Miller, Morgantown, W. Va.