Reality Check?

[backcountry_hunter]

Nope no bikes either... nothing mechanical. I don't know that it has as much to do with impact, obviously a packstring can impact virgin ground much more than a single bicycle.... but guessing it has more to do with keeping these places "wild"


I've known a handful of forest service guys that had to go in post fire, wind or flood to a designated wilderness and couldn't use chainsaws unless a tree was posing an immediate risk. Anything else had to be cut with crosscut saws... If a mechanical saw was fired up it was documented start and end times. Really the impact was the same between the two saws but it made for a ton more work when the tree wasn't hazardous. The difference was if you were in the next canyon over you wouldn't hear the crosscut, maybe just a couple of FS Rangers cussing  ;D


Always check local laws also on other public ground... I know some states won't let bicycles and carts leave designated trails, cross native grasses, etc...

 

[rkkieson]

In response to original post:  I think this forum, along with wapititalk, and onyourownadventures, does a good job of giving those people the "Reality Check."  I have scoured this site, the UEH Online Course and other sites for the past two months.  Even though I have worked out almost every day since then, I get more nervous about being in "mountain shape" each time I read these things.  That, in turn, motivates me to go do something more to get into better shape.


It's also good to hear about the number of people that actually hunt elk; what you have to do to get away from people; and hopefully into elk. 


I also think it's good that people post their plans, no matter how crazy, or dumb.  That way someone with experience can "tweak" those plans prior to that person just hitting the woods and having it blow up there.


I have appreciated all the information from these resources.  I am glad to get the reality check here.  So now, I hope for the best, and won't be surprised if the worst happens.