dave.m said:
IMO, leave no trace is a concept that is more tied with land management attitudes from western states where there is a mythology of wide open spaces that can absorb dispersed usage.
The problem, of course, is that human usage of terrain tends to get concentrated for a variety of reasons. Some related to the logistics of travel over the terrain (cols, river fords and such), others by human whim (peaks, views, ponds with beaches).
Once concentrated impact kicks in, I think "leave no trace" should be trumped by a "localize impact" model. Tent platforms and maintained trails are a perfect examples of "traces" that serve to minimize impact by intentionally hardening sacrificial zones and trying to keep the impact there.
In the end though, any of these management approaches is overwhelmed by sheer volume. And traffic concentrators like trails, platforms and such can increase volume by making it easier to access the wild place in question. When considering a pristine drainage, which is better/worse? A single hammered-on trail that attracts big crowds? Or 3 unmaintained but commonly used "routes"?
Last thought on this... I think the approaches people articulate may be tied to a deeper understanding of humanity's place in the created world. Here is an interesting thought experiment. Imagine a virgin mountain valley unvisited by humans. No imagine this same mountain valley with a single person walking throught it? Which image seems more "natural" to you and why? The thing we're getting at here is what is this, Is humanity a natural part of creation or is humanity some sort of non-natural thing? The Ghia Hypothesis and the Wise Use movement may form polar extremes on this.
Now, where to pitch my tent....
Dave M you are correct LNT originated in the West CA IIRC . Certainly they open space in the west is vast compared to the crowed east that is losing more open space daily
That being said. You ask a lot of interesting questions that do not have easy answers.
Part of why pole get upset IMHO is that no matter how hard we try we leave some trace of our passing. and then as you state there are the extremes the Wise Use crew and the hard core greenies who get upset at a person taking a small stone off a summit,. or out of a river.
LNT is concept meant to educate people about the importance of not leaving trash every where. Selecting a camping spot a reasonable distance from water and in some cases trails. Not cutting down trees to make a shelter. ect.
Once again in the west this is far more feasible as there is more space. Though it is not unlimited. Here in the east there are relatively few open spaces that are open for public use.
In some places hardened tent sites are probably the best way to protect a area as the nature of the terrain limits viable places to pitch a tent.
Your question about trails is a tough one.
Using the Franconia Ridge loop as a example. Would it be a good Idea to have a trail in Walker Ravine? Would making the Lincoln’s Throat, Bushwhack scramble a path be ok? If you know where it is there is a faint "herd" path already. Should we make a trail from the Lincoln Brook trail to the Ridge ( yes I know it is a wilderness area)
Humans are of curse part of nature and have been altering the land for millions of years. That does not mean we can just make a huge mess of things.
Part of why I think debates about LNT break down is that, one people have differing views of what LNT means and of course some take things to a extreme. That is when the flame wars break out when people come off as holier than thou and give at least the impression that they and only they have the correct way to use our open spaces. I have seen this in rock climbing where A person stated screaming at some one for placing a ice screw on a climb Called Lambs slide on Longs Peak in CO. I personally did not feel the need for one but this person had a partner with them and she felt more comfortable on a rope. Of course he was going to remove the protection but to the other person doing the yelling it was some how interfering with his “wilderness experience”
First we need to establish exactly What LNT really is and listen to varying views
I personally do not have a problem with a person taking a small rock form a summit. Or river no one will ever know it happened. Now if we take boulders and cut down trees that is another matter. For some plant collecting violates LNT but humans have been doing that for a very long time. It is one thing to dig up a whole bunch of rare plants or some on the side of a trail but what bout 100ft from the trail.
Wildlife eats plants digs them up a and moves small rocks to get at food. A moose will probably eat more plants than 100 people could collect unless they used heavy equipment.
What really matters is how message is delivered and how reasonable and realistic the message is.
When one side or the other starts saying their way is the only way the whole argument breaks down and nothing gets done but more animosity and a escalation of the verbal battle.
Yes where do Ipitch my tent ?
