Re: [Paddlewise] Saturation Point

> >1. Different levels of development.  Users spread themselves over a
> >continum of how much isolation they seak.  Those that want more are
> >often willing to
> 
> Should read: "must now" or "desparate enough" rather than "often willing"

The problem is that yall are all trying to see the same, well advertized, spots.  
This cave, that rock formation, that historic landmark.   
The ocean is a vast domain, and impossibly wild in every respect.   
Yes there are, and always will be, crowds around "Old Faithful" like features, 
but why do you want to go there more than once?

> A little late for that around here. It used to be you could launch a kayak
> from near all four ferry terminals in the San Juans and the locals viewed
> you as an interesting curiousity. Friday Harbor is the only access left
> and I'm sure there are groups of  locals trying to get it closed to
> launching kayaks too just like they did with the other three. The public
> beach you have every right to land on they have treated as their private
> beaches for years. They are not likely to welcome your intrusion however
> friendly you are. Say can I use your toilet my bladder is about to burst?
> > >3. Pratice low impact camping.  Leave no trace of fires, leave no
> trash, >clean up your tent site, etc. >Leave places looking less visited
> than when you arrived.

This is a little Northwest specific, wouldn't you say.  In Texas for instance, 
all beaches are public, and if a storm erodes the beach up to some 
landowners house, they loose the house to the state.  Some beaches are 
more difficult to access, but they are all public, but at least half of the 
coast has easy drive on access, if you know how to drive on soft sand.

Also, why would you bother a property owner by asking him to make his 
homes restroom a public facility?   Just bring a bag or bottle to relieve 
yourself, or for the more flexibly inclined, put some distance between you 
and others and pee over the side.

> Arrive after dark and leave before dawn and maybe the AUTHORITIES will
> never figure out where you stayed:~) > >4. Contact athorities and
> understand how to use an area well.
> 
> I prefer to avoid contact with the AUTHORITIES.

They do seem to be a bit paranoid, at least from accounts I've heard here.  
Personally, I've never even been approached by a warden or sheriff while 
kayaking.   I think they just assume they'll be wasting time checking an 
adult flyfisherman floating in a kayak.  

> Tell them kayaking sucks and you are most likely going to give it up
> because the risks to your life, pocketbook, health, bladder and joints are
> just too great. > > >I think that crowding and quota systems are an
> inevitable part of our >future.  It is not the end of the world:
> 
> Just the end of one of the major reasons I go kayaking.

Ditch the quota/permit idea.  Kayaks are vessels just like any other.  I 
usually prefer to use the boat ramp system just like everyone else.  Nice 
cement bottom to stand on as I drop my tail into the cockpit, oh so easy.
You want solitude, a half mile into the flats, or three miles offshore in winter 
will get you there almost every time.

>  >those places I visit with good
> >quota systems really have been preserved.  I don't get to go there as
> >often, but when i do is much more special.
> 
> Sanitized, ranger infested, ex-WILDerness is not particularly what I want
> to visit.

I like to think of such places, like I do the National Park system.  They are 
essentially open air zoos for the masses.   I guage this by the reaction of 
supposed wild animals.   What should a wild animal do when it sees a 
200lb predator closing in on it?   Fight or flight.   What do they do in 
National Parks?   Ogle and beg, just like in the zoo.   What do they do in 
Gila Wilderness area?   Run like h*** to get out of Dodge.   1.Zoo.  
2.Wilderness.   Simple.   Any place you see a 50 lb seal gaze at you like 
the food distributor, you know you aren't in wilderness, no matter what the 
rocks look like.   Any place that they scatter from once they get a good 
look at you, is wilderness.

> My advise to kayakers in areas that haven't suffered the above fates yet
> is to SHUT UP about the joys of  kayaking or even actively discourage
> participation by others. Whatever you do don't advertise your favorite
> places and if you do take a special friend swear them to secrecy. Treat
> kayaking like you should treat a tiny mountain lake with great fishing for
> huge trout (that you would like to see stay that way). SHUT UP ABOUT IT!

While this might be true of a small mountain lake, it can hardly be true of 
the ocean.

> Matt Broze
> http://www.marinerkayaks.com

Maybe yall should shift your focus away from the Pacific Northwest.  
Maybe Texas?   Unlimited access, year round paddling, excellent fishing, 
more birds than you could possibly imagine......

Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************