On Fri, Mar 18, 2005 at 11:41:50AM -0800, Jackie Myers wrote: > A whitewater paddler interviewed in the video expressed > his concern about this cowardly act (cowardly being my > word) spreading to other rivers. FYI, on thing that we have seen -- although not, as far as I know, in many years -- is the use of wire/barbed-wire strung across streams at paddler height. Let me distinguish that from "cattle fences", or whatever folks call 'em in various parts of the world: these are wire-and-board constructions that are used to keep livestock from wandering off; they're usually found on small, sleepy streams; and their builders are clearly not trying to injure anyone, they're just trying to keep the cows (or whatever) at home. One usually doesn't run into these, at least around here (east coast USA), unless paddling some pretty small creeks in rural areas, and *usually* it's just not a problem to see them well in advance and either move the boards out of the way temporarily to get through, or portage around them, or just paddle right past 'em. (Many are in disrepair but still serving their intended purpose anyway: the cows believe that they can't get through, therefore they don't. Paddlers are usually smart enough not to fall for this trick. ;-) ) Anyway, barbed wire has been used sporadically in places where river access issues became _very_ contentious. It's usually accompanied by vandalism to paddler vehicles and other forms of harrassment. But *this*...given the location and the method, this is aimed much more broadly, if one can even say that it's "aimed" at all. A tip of the helmet to those folks who are out there ripping them out. ---Rsk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Mar 18 2005 - 13:37:00 PST
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