Wilderness designation is a two edged sword. It preserves the land in
its native state for future generations and provides current
generations with the opportunity to travel is country on foot or horse
back in more or less it's unspoiled state.
On the other hand competitive events cannot be run in wilderness areas
which impacts the AERC. In some areas, there is a limit on the size of
groups. I like to ride Wilderness areas, but I have mixed emotions on
the compatibility of endurance rides as they are currently run in
Wilderness areas - I don't think they are.
There might be a middle ground where special sanctioned rides for
lifetimes miles only - no placements, on BC, no miles counting in the
current year standings - could be defined that would satisfy the
provisions of the Wilderness act while allow these lands to be used for
endurance rides - just not "competitive rides."
I personally believe that the preservation of our natural heritages
passing on at least some of our wild places to future generations is a
responsibility of our society. If we don't - all future generations
will see is pits from strip minds, blown off mountain tops with all the
debris in the valleys were streams and brooks used to run from mountain
top mining. As one that grew up in Western KY strip mine country
watching Mr. Peabody's Coal Company rape and plunder the land - we can
do better.
One of the best weeks I have ever spent was a week long back packing
trip in the Maroon Bells Wilderness in CO. Six days and seeing few
other people than the three others in the party in some of the most
beautify country on the face of the earth. BTW of the other people we
say one group was two women on horse back so the issue is not riding
Wilderness on horseback - it's competitive events.
The Wilderness act is what it is. It is not going away. If we want to
use Wilderness land it's time for the AERC to fashion a ride format
that can be held using wilderness areas in such a manner that is
consistent with the preservation of the land and the law.
Truman
I cannot agree. We've been losing endurance trails to Wilderness
designations for a long time, the Alabama ride lost a beautiful trail
to it over 20 years ago. There is nothing about competing vs. just
riding that has anything to do with preservation, or wilderness. I'd
say we need to try to persuade our legislators to amend the Wilderness
rules to allow events such as endurance rides as long as no structures
are built and no permanent markers are used.
Until some accommodation like that is made, I will oppose all
expansions of wilderness -- as it is now it locks up vast tracts of OUR
public land to be the playground of a tiny minority.
