RE: [Paddlewise] "Commado" Camping

> From: "Seng, Dave" <Dave_Seng_at_health.state.ak.us>
> 
> OK - here's a virtual bucket of cold salt water from Alaska on the subject.
> (that oughta cool off those keyboards!<grin>)  It's clear that there are
> widely divergent views held by different parties and there are probably more
> variables involved than any of us would want to try to think about.  I vote
> to drop this line of discussion and move on to more productive avenues.... 
>
> > From: bob_at_intelenet.net [mailto:bob_at_intelenet.net]
> > 
> > So let me get this straight. 
> > 
> > You not only don't ask people's permission to camp on their land, you
> > specifically go out of your way to trespass when they specifically ask
> > you not to?
> > 
> > You definitely sound pretty obnoxious to me.


Some may be uncomfortable with the direction of this discussion but the issue 
is an important one and may determine what areas will be open (or not) to
paddlers for kayak camping.  The issue of kayakers rudely thumbing their
noses at property rights of owners is where this discussion began (the
article by Tamia Nelson).  I think Bob is perfectly within line to express 
concern, even distate, at the rude behavior of a kayaker who brags about
that behavior here on PaddleWise.  The rude actions of kayakers towards
private property owners is an issue we should *all* be concerned with 
because, as Ralph pointed out, camping locations are getting more and
more sparse in many areas.  Property owners are getting fed up as Dave
Kruger noted by banding together to buy up kayak launch points and 
convince officials to restrict access to launch points.  I hope the
kayaker and her friend were not seen but probably were.

Irresponsible and rude jet skiiers have gotten *all* jet skiiers banned 
from numerous areas as the responsible jet skiiers waited until it was too
late to speak up.  Shocked and surprised to discover that it is possible
to lose access to favorite jetski spots, they are now attempting to put
pressure on their peers to change the bad behavior but in many cases, 
it's too little too late.  We need to do something now or we will find 
that we kayakers will be welcomed less and less and, in some places, 
outright banned.

Regards,

Jackie
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