Re: [Paddlewise] Dave's Spot: Angst about "Sharing"

     The last time we went to Barkley Sound, a whale watching boat 
landed in our snug little cove;  the well-dressed tourists got off 
and wandered around our campsite. I'll never forget having my polypro 
clothing and little tent being inspected by hordes of  people. Maybe 
that's how the wildlife feel as we ogle them from our yaks. That 
experience convinced me that seakayaking was going to be an uphill 
battle.

 From:          dianem_at_sd61.bc.ca
> Date:          Wed, 22 Apr 1998 07:03:18 -0700
> To:            dkruger_at_seasurf.com
> Subject:       Re: [Paddlewise] Dave's Spot: Angst about "Sharing"
> Cc:            paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net

> (big snip of totally justified angst)
> >We've know for a long time that the enemy is us, especially more of us.
> >I just need some help sorting out how to handle all of this.  What's a
> >body to do?  Hayduke's methods seem inappropriate here!
> >
> >Thanks for your help.
> 
> First, who's Hayduke?
> 
> Yes, the enemy is us and I can certainly dive into my own deep pool of
> angst, even without the beer ;)  if I follow that thought. I don't foresee
> any fewer of us (though one never knows what plans Gaia, and the rest of
> our species, have for us); in fact, plenty more of us. Years ago I was all
> thrilled with ecotourism. But then I began to see what was happening to
> places of incerdible beauty, when they were made more accessible. Long
> Beach. I cried. Sombrio. I cried.  Right in front of all the surfers. It
> used to be hard to get to these places, but it was worth it. Now it's easy,
> and not so worth it.
> 
> I was shocked by the bureaucracy interfering in my wilderness experience
> when a quota system was instituted five or six years ago, for hiking the
> West Coast Trail here on the Island. But I support it now.  Given the
> numbers of us who want to be there at any given time, we have to agree to
> some  method of filtering us through.  Once you're on  the trail, you
> pretty well have to finish at the other end, unless you can find a way to
> get to the windsurfers' camp up the river in the middle, and go out there.
> I think that's harder now than it used to be. (That's how I came in,last
> time). It is easier to check permits on a point a to point b land trail
> than on a water trail.  However, we, the enemy, may have to agree to limit
> our own access to some of the places we would like to be able to get to
> whenever the spirit moves us, and get in line for a permit. Someone would
> have to be out there checking permits, and arguing wih people who didn't
> have one....
> 
> I'm surprised that  I'm onside with needing a permit  but our love is
> killing the wild places.
> 
> I want to to back to Vargas Island this summer. To years ago there was one
> tour group farther down the beach. What will it be this year? The Vargas
> Starbuck's?
> And by just being there,I am part of the problem.
> 
> Last year in Nootka Sound I met a couple from Oregon who were lamenting
> what had happened to much of the waterfront there, and were urging us who
> call BC home to do all we could to prevent that happening here.
> 
> I trust WC2 nd the Georgia Strait Alliance and the Marine Trails
> Association to act in the interest of the wild places and cretures, and to
> encourage responsible paddling.  I try to keep in mind what I learn from
> others about leaving the wild ones space and not getting too close.  About
> low impact on the places I visit.
> 
> Maybe I'll just paddle the harbour and watch the nesting habits of the
> elusive seaplanes while dodging whale watching tour boats and tourist
> sailboats and motorcraft!  ;)
> 
> Diane
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Bradford R. Crain                             E-mail: brad_at_mth.pdx.edu
Dept. of Mathematics                          Phone: (503) 725-3127
Portland State Univ.                          FAX:   (503) 725-3661  
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Or. 97207
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