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The Problem of the Wilderness

12/8/2015

4 Comments

 
“...a region which...possesses no possibility of conveyance by any mechanical means.”  was included in Robert Marhsall's definition of wilderness in his 1930 essay, The Problem of the Wilderness. The challenge is what does he mean by mechanical? The words bicycle, non living power source, moving parts don't occur in his essay, so we need to dig a little deeper to understand what he meant by wilderness and mechanical.
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"And so the path of empire proceeded to substitute for the undisturbed seclusion of nature the conquering accomplishments of man. Highways wound up valleys which had known only the footsteps of the wild animals; neatly planted gardens and orchards replaced the tangled confusion of the primeval forest; factories belched up great clouds of smoke where for centuries trees had transpired toward the sky, and the ground-cover of fresh sorrel and twinflower was transformed to asphalt spotted with chewing-gum, coal dust and gasoline."

I don't think a bike on the Gallatin Crest qualifies as the path of empire. 
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"This involves something more than pure air and quiet, which are attainable in almost any rural situation. But toting a fifty-pound pack over an abominable trail, snowshoeing across a blizzard-swept plateau or scaling some jagged pinnacle which juts far above timber all develop a body distinguished by a soundness, stamina, and élan unknown amid normal surroundings."

​Or perhaps riding a bike at treeline through a thunderstorm, or bikepacking over a trail littered with cobbles.

"In a civilization which requires most lives to be passed amid inordinate dissonance, pressure and intrusion, the chance of retiring now and then to quietude and privacy of sylvan haunts becomes for some people a psychic necessity."

Whether someone is one a bike, a horse, a canoe, or on foot the need to escape is the same.
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"Adventure, whether physical or mental, implies breaking into unpenetrated ground,  venturing beyond the boundary of normal aptitude, extending oneself to the limit of capacity, courageously facing peril. Life without the chance for such exertions would be for many persons a dreary game, scarcely bearable in its horrible banality."

When we talk about mountain biking in the wilds of Montana, it is the adventure we are seeking, exploration and adventure on primitive unimproved trails..  An escape from the ordinary and routine.

"This equivalent may  be realized if we make available to every one the harmless excitement of the wilderness. Bertrand Russel has skillfully a,plied this idea in his essay on 'Machines and the Emotions.' He expresses the significant conclusion that 'Many men would cease to desire war if they had the opportunities to risk their lives in Alpine Climbing.'"

Or mountain biking.

"It is upmost importance to concede the right of happiness also to people who find their delight in unaccustomed ways."

You may hike, maybe ride a horse. I ride a bike. None are wrong, just different paths of discovery.
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"Far more can enjoy the woods by automobile. Far more would prefer to spend vacations in luxurious summer hotels set on well groomed lawns than in leaky, fly infested shelters bundled away in the bush."

"But the automobilists argue that a wilderness domain precludes the huge majority of recreation seekers from deriving any amusement whatever from it."

Mountain bikers aren't asking for roads or even trail improvements. We want the same experience as other  quiet non motorized uses.  We want wilderness in its raw primal form.
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Having read the essay, it is clear to me that mountain bikes epitomize the wilderness ethic and spirit of adventure espoused by Mr. Marshall. A valid method to escape from the asphalt and noise of modern life. Bikes are not the mechanical conveyance he had in mind.  It was cars, trains, and motor boats.
4 Comments
Trailsnet link
12/8/2015 07:26:55 pm

I see both sides of the "bikes in wilderness" debate. It's a tough call. I would definitely say that it shouldn't be an all-or-nothing issue. Having grown up with Montana's Cabinet Mountains Wilderness out my front door, I can say with confidence that bikes in Montana's wilderness areas would be fine. Living in Colorado, I'd love to see bikes allowed on the wilderness portions of the Colorado Trail. However, some of the more crowded wilderness areas probably wouldn't be suitable for bicycles.

When the question "Should mountain bikes be allowed on wilderness trails?" was posed on Trailsnet, 40% of respondents said yes, 35% said only on certain trails and 20% said no. My guess is that this is fairly close to the overall feeling of the general population.

Reply
Lance
12/9/2015 02:46:22 pm

We agree. The appropriateness of bikes is so area dependent. Riding th Bitterroot on the trails in question this summer and fall, I only encountered other people once, and that was on a Saturday morning in Blodgett Canyon. In that case we passed four hikers on our way back out. We also realize there are places such as Indian Peaks outside of Boulder on the Front Range that already have crowding issues and that bikes may not be suitable. We assume this may be true for other areas near urban centers. What is appropriate for Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho may not apply everywhere.

Reply
Walt
12/8/2015 08:20:21 pm

To deny a bicyclist access to wilderness is discriminatory. Many people have injuries that prevent them from long downhill hikes such as my self. I'm fine on the uphill but need skis or a bike to descend for any distance. It is too expensive to maintain horses which is the only other allowed method of travel.

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Todd link
5/8/2016 05:53:59 am

Walt, I hate to break it to you, but denying mountain bikes in Wilderness Areas is not discrimination. A Federal Judge in Colorado has already ruled that discrimination cannot be based on equipment. But Wheelchairs are allowed in Wilderness Areas, so it you really need assistance, that would be the way to go.

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