Losing winter access to the Ghost River?

[Cobra_Commander]

Interesting converstion on live-the-vision:

 

Howie:

 

This spring Jamie McVicar, Joe Buzowski and myself met with Roger from Alberta Sustainable Resources and drove through the Ghost and he showed us what was proposed. He said that there was still going to be vehicle access to the Banff Boundry and to the river crossing around STD. We would not be allowed to cross the river any more. Also, random camping was being eliminated, you would only be able to camp at the bottom of the big hill and at the old CMC camp at Wully Wall. We explained to Roger that the Ghost was a world class ice climbing destination and not being able to drive accross the river was going to be a big deal in the winter. He basically had no idea that people even use the ghost in the winter or at least that was the impression he gave me. We basically asked for some kind of winter access to the ice climbs, at least as far as This House of Sky, and some more random camping spots. We showed him around and he seemed pretty okay with everything.

 

When we got back from this little meeting, we emailed the people from the ACC and even had a conference call with them, they seemed to have no idea about the scope of the proposed closure for the Ghost, especially the ice access. Jamie knows a bit more about this, but I guess the ACC was one of the groups given "standing" at some of the user group meeting in the planning stage.

 

I now hear that basically they are going ahead with the orginal plan, no special winter access and just the camping spots I mentioned. This is what I know so far, if your hearing more, please post it. Jamie may know more and post it, but this is a huge blow especially for ice climbing. Crossing creeks in 20 below weather just ain't fun, and makes climb's in the valley of the dogs a pretty big day. Contact the ACC, call your MLA or if you have any other great ideas, jump on it. I don't know if it will make any difference, but it sure can't hurt at this stage.

 

Look forward to hearing what other people might know or heard.

 

Thanks Howie

 

Later

Shawn

[forrest_m]

you can sign the online petition here

 

i know online petitions aren't the best way to get the attention of government officials, but the end of the comment period is this friday, sept 30

[DCramer]

More info and petition.

[glassgowkiss]

i hate to start this spray, but what a bunch of double standart cry babies you are. same people oposing gondola to the top of the chief, drills and blots in the alpine now is crying foul when you can't drive your 4x4 to the base of some climbs?