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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 283
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Posts: 283 |
Just too many people make the trek up Whitney. Maybe higher fees and/or a smaller quota during peak season would help.
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There is a topic from last year about <a href="/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003459">Graffiti at the peak.</a>
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 56
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I think I agree with Wingding. However, in contrast to Richard and Candace, I was on Baldy last week and didn't notice much trash or graffiti. That obviously doesn't mean it's not there. I'm usually bent over looking at my boots on the Ski Hut route as I make the climb, concentrating on getting a good work out. That may explain why others on Whitney haven't noticed too much trash. This year I hung around Outpost longer than usual so I had more opportunities to spot trash. If you're just going up and out, the trash will not be as noticeable.
Less people = less opportunities for trash. However, that means less opportunities for us to enter the Whitney zone. I'm not great with numbers, but couldn't a slight increase in fees be used to hire people (maybe "Mountain Molly Maids") to go up once a month to clean up after the slobs? Hikers could even give them tips (optional, of course) when they saw them. I don't think it would take more than a day or two each time. I'd be willing to pay more to help keep the area clean. As it is now, $15 really isn't that much. Just another thought...
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur and see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze...
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 70
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If everyone who sees trash while out on the trail were to pick up just one piece, we could all help the situation. I know it's always someone else's trash, but it's at least a start. (picking up wag bags is pushing it, though, but still necessary if you come upon one.....)
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 232
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Trash is not an issue through most of the backcountry - but is a significant problem near the trailheads, especially the special use trailheads like Whitney Portal which attracts folks not interested in experiencing the wilderness but accomplishing the unique goal of the summit.
How do you educate these folks on wilderness ethics? Hell, if I knew I wouldn't be writing this but reaping the big bucks from seminars and training sessions. It will continue to be an unending battle.
FWIW - I just completed a solo 15 day loop from Horseshow to the Kern, over Chagoopa to Little Five Lakes and Kaweah Gap, then back again to the Uppper Kern and out over Cottonwood. You could count the number of pieces of trash I saw during the entire trip on one hand. But i didn't camp at any "normal" campsites, so maybe my data is biased.
Even though I've never done Whitney in my 19 years of Sierra hiking, if possible I'll be there if a clean-up day is scheduled.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9
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well,
some years ago, my wife and I adopted the sometimes "less-than-charming" habit of just picking up <<<safe>>> looking trash along any trail ... wrappers; paper; US currency preferably in denomination of 20's or higher ...etc., ... [no bottles, tissues, toilet paper!]
maybe just a few handfuls of trash ... am sure it scarcely made a noticeable difference overall ... other than that ... not sure what to do.
I do believe the vast majority of trailusers have respect for the trail, for others, and the mountain.
Anvanho
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 597
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A lot of us pick up bits of trash without making a big deal about it. Once I even carried out someone's used wag bag that had a hole in it--chewed by a small animal, it appeared. I did consider that one going a bit beyond the call of duty.
A few years back I found a $100 bill on a shortcut below Trail Camp (true!). Picked that up, too.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9
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Bob:
Wow, that certainly IS going beyond the call of duty.
Thanks for being such a trooper!
I promise I didn't leave that bag!
But I think I left that $100 bill ... was it wrinkled ... kinda' faded green ... balding picture of Ben Franklin on the face? Yeah, that was mine ...
[HA! That probably gave it away! ... I am unsure who is actually on the hundred ... beats me ...]
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 949
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got a chance to relook at things Sunday - much less trash noted on MR - think people were taking the time to notice and pickup after. main trail also with exception of of drainage between Trail Camp & Consulation Lake leading down to trailside meadow. two of us were picking up trash every 15-20 feet - saw two used wag bags which did not pick up - maybe because one was torn and may just a stigma I can't bring myself to haul out someone's poop. I think if had brought an extra ziplock type sealed bag might have carried those out too - not sure.
remember trash if from everybody - not just the other guy - we may all accidentally drop a candy wrapper and not realize it - never hurts to bend over and pick something up
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