WMC Update 2012

What are the "both ways," pray tell, that I'm trying to have it?  ???

Ah Jim, it's so difficult to ignore those mosquito bites isn't it. Let's continue our discussion privately as Marcus suggests and let the thread revert to it's original topic. We are not important to the larger discussion.

The writer for WMC is gifted, well informed historically and persuasive.

That could be argued.

Mr. Oker:

Yes, we do have a great local community of winter non-motorized users in the valley and as such it is a start. It is always nice when advocating for a cause to reach out and connect with others who feel the same about an issue. I believe WMC is doing just that. The success of the Thousand Skier Project does not hinge on a flood of letters landing on some officials desk - it only takes one really. There are many individuals out in the BC that understand the issue and need of comprehensive winter travel management on our public lands. If you are really getting out in the BC in the winter, whether a skier, snowshoer, or sledder you are very aware of the changing landscape of winter travel. The discussion on TAY of this subject has raised all of the important points and been thoroughly debated. I can't really see WMC spending much more time trying to educate everyone out there who doesn't already get it; there are plenty that do.
Ask yourself one question however; as a user of the winter BC on public lands who is going to speak for you?

Anyhoo to get back to the subject.

This is where I have some more issues.with WMC's approach.

Now Andy Dappen is a great writer and I love his stuff but he is part of an organization called Wenatchee outdoors that promotes human powered recreation. No problem with that. However its a private group, gets some of its revenue from ads( presumably) and grants to promote tourism( fact vfound on the interebz) and presumably therefore pays his wages and provides a living. No problem with that either.
He writes detailed trip reports with maps for BC skiers next to Mission ridge. These encourage Bc tourers to certain areas. His TR's here encourage you to visit their site, presumably increasing this private groups hit count and therefore adding to the commercial value of ads placed there etc etc.

Then a group WMC is formed that wants more non-motorized areas from the FS and says there are more backcountry skiers than smowmobilers and that even if there isn't there should be parity calculated not upon demographics but based upon the relative amount each sub group can track out the snow. The writer for WMC is gifted, well informed historicaly and persuasive.

I guess my question is this. Is there a connection between WMC and the private group Wenatchee Outdoors and if there is shouldn't it be disclosed?

If not, great, I'd be much better knowing that as well.

Since WMC may not be back and you seem to have taken over can you answer my question Mr. GUAVA?
Thanks

I wont be getting behind this project with the current information given. As most that have been posting on this topic know, I am a snowmobile owner and user. If you cant get creative enough (owning a snowmobile) to find good skiing, you have some serious problems. I bought a sled to increase my available areas to ski and that's just what it did (more than I could have ever imagined). Also, I can't support a project that is looking to reward those who only have a snowmobile. That is, it seems that the alliance wants to allow skiers with snowmobiles (minority) to use the sled along an access road, park it, and have untouched snow to ski tour on. That seems a little elitist, and I feel that there is plenty of Wilderness Areas that can currently be used this way (even with the poachers, whom the FS should take actions against). Besides, if Wilderness is getting poached now, how are you going to expect snowmobilers to leave your pristine stash alone?? And do you know how many people will buy sleds in the future and show up at your private stash to tour?? It could have moguls 10 years from now!! I say, get out a map, explore, and use your sled to mix it up in the many different established areas. The first step, IMO, is to protect the areas already established...the Wilderness areas. Now, if there was **A MAP** to show skiers who don't own sleds (the majority of skiers), where possible areas would be within a day trip in usual winter conditions (say Bean Cr.basin, specific areas off of Blewett, Hwy 2, etc.), I may be able to sign my name. Until then, the broad brush of "this (unspecific) now, more (ever expanding) later" is too vague and actually quite concerning. I don't know how someone could sign in support of this without having more information...

I don't know how someone could sign in support of this without having more information...

Probably the same reason people will sign a petition to ban dihydrogen-monoxide.  Did you know that stuff was in drinking water?

Just a joke.. this reminded me of a youtube movie a saw a little while ago.