I agree with Erik Schultz that life can change
dramatically in the blink of an eye (HCN, 12/12/05: Wheelchairs and
wilderness can coexist). I am sorry that Erik was injured and is
now confined to a wheelchair.
But wilderness is, by
definition, primitive, not meant to be easily accessed, and is a
place where we take risks. Erik’s idea to allow wheelchairs
in wilderness is compelling, but not reasonable, in my opinion.
Considering how life (and management and law) can change
in the blink of an eye, how do we feel about the current “mountain
bikes in wilderness” discussion, where cyclists are lobbying for
access? And sport climbing with bolts in wilderness? Or the growing
sport of geocaching, where we’re placing permanent caches,
often in the wrong places?
This past summer, we came
around a precipitous corner in the backcountry of a Colorado
wilderness area to confront two people carrying small,
fluorescent-colored kayaks. They were running uphill with the
kayaks over their heads to bag the waters of the river below. I was
impressed that the kayakers were running uphill with their loads,
but also thinking about whether or not fluorescent green or pink
equipment belongs in wilderness.
With our population
ballooning, some wilderness managers are now using the term “urban
wilderness.” They are trying to deal with the hundreds and
thousands of people and types of uses (and impacts) we’re
seeing in our wilderness areas. They are seeking new management
methods that will preserve wilderness for future generations, but
it’s going to be tough, because everyone wants something from
these jewels.
I don’t think we need to open more
access to wilderness, no matter how compelling the reason. Each
year, many people who are confined to wheelchairs enter the far
reaches of wilderness on horseback. I’m glad this opportunity
exists for Erik and others.
John
Nelson
Flagstaff, Arizona
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Wilderness with horses, not wheelchairs.
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