After reading your article (“Keeping the trails alive: volunteer keeps parks walkable,” Aug. 1), I am fairly certain that your Stu Clark was my scoutmaster in the early 1970s while I was living in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

He was such an inspiration and a cool leader, and he took us to wonderful places.

We were in the Sierras for two weeks, hiking many miles with heavy packs.

I was using one of the standard issue Boy Scout backpacks, and it had an aluminium bar that rubbed on my lower back, actually down to the bone.

We were far from anything, but Stu remained calm, assuring me that all would be well. He stayed with me, even though I was dead last for most of the trip.

I’m glad that Stu is still an inspiration. All of you are blessed to have Stu in your neck of the woods.

Tony Degrazia, Allegan, Mich.