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Uh, there is no problem.
Predrag thought that I had a problem with the metric system (SI, sorry).
If I did, I wouldn't be a USMA member, obviously! I was very, very happy
to see the peaks in the REI catalog listed in meters, and would like to see all
backpackers and mountaineers in the US sign up for USMA membership. The
only point I was making is that this (listing in meters) is all too rare in
backpacking/mountaineering circles in the US, and that some folks I know have
their mental calculators set in increments of 1000 or 500 feet. This is a
tough nut to crack for some folks, and I was asking for ideas.
The best I have heard is to convince
backpackers to think in increments of 100 m rather than 500 feet. This has
some merit, as 500 foot increments do not appear on USGS topo maps (the contour
lines are usually 40 feet), but until these maps are universally being produced
with metric contours, it may be a tough sell. Even most of the new computer
programs sold at outdoor equipment stores which allow one to print out topo maps
on home compters don't allow printing of metric contours because they are based
on USGS maps. I personally don't really care too much, as I use a Suunto
altimeter calibrated in meters.
HARRY WYETH
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