Re: [Paddlewise] Sea Kayakers Behavior

Ralph writes, RE: the question of permission to camp on private property:

<on the question of asking permission, I made a distinction in the
book between asking permission to camp of a property owner in a remote
area (my suggestion is always ask in such a situation) and in a
populated area (my suggestion is not ask). >

I'm not sure if , in his letter to PW, Ralph refers only to emergency
camping, or what he calls "commando" camping, or to camping at all times.
Either way, I'm inclined to think one should always ask if it's possible to
ask. And I don't think non-emergency camping should be ever done on private
property unless we've secured permission in advance (that is, if you can't
reach the owners, just don't camp there). The more often we trespass (that's
what it is, without permission) on someone's private space, the more
resentment we stir up against all kayakers and other campers. That's true
regardless of how good we are as stewards of the camping place while we're
there.

As for the question of camping behavior, I heartily endorse the concept of
"leave no trace" camping, including the omission of all fires (except the
very rare fire which might be needed to re-warm a hypothermic person **who
could not be safely re-warmed by another technique**). Cleaning up any
refuse we find at a campsite is also good environmental practice and good
public relations.

Bill Hansen
Ithaca NY

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