Dear Editor,
Re: Caribou Breeding Program Loses Support (Nov. 13)
Your article on this was well reported; informative and the complexities of a breeding program explained in a way many of us can understand. Especially enlightening were the words and concerns from the experts (COSEWIC) about captive breeding programs. However, I am struggling with one of the last lines, 鈥淭he risk, of course, is angering the backcountry users, who live and play in the Maligne Valley all winter.鈥�
I believe I share the sentiments of many of JNP鈥檚 backcountry winter enthusiasts; for some odd reason, we鈥檙e often painted as a winter demon, who selfishly wants to 鈥渓ive and play鈥� in the area known as the Maligne Valley. The hideous paint colours include: 鈥渨e don鈥檛 care about caribou, the only thing we want is fresh tracks, all we think about is our fun, play and pleasure, and our tracks are the demise of them all (caribou)鈥�. To the non-skiers out there, you slam us, out of ignorance and media misinformation.
In truth, we鈥檙e a subculture of fundamental brown baggers that passionately love the national parks. We, out of all users, require the least in the way of infrastructure, signage and promotion. Our toques and down jackets are stuffed with self sufficient, self reliant zeal, that inspires us to tackle the coldest of weathers, in the most heinous of snow conditions, in wilderness that we weave incredible bonds with. The ONLY thing we require is... access.
We are not angry; we鈥檙e worried sick about the upcoming potential winter closures in the Maligne Valley. This is on the heels of 鈥渄elayed winter access鈥� on all access points into the Tonquin Valley, eg. Portal Creek, Edith Cavell Road (Nov. 1鈥揊eb.15) and all skiable terrain off the Icefields Parkway in the range of the Brazeau caribou herd (Nov. 1鈥揗arch 1). We all want to protect the caribou, a twisted and complicated dilemma. We, who want little and expect nothing, this is not anger talking; this is emotion that loves the bare bone, and raw winter pleasures, this is sadness dripping with icicles, heartache with layers of rime, and frustration, glued on like klister.
To date, Parks Canada has offered NO replacements or alternatives, but we all know what the frosty reality is: there are none. The new cross country ski area at Decoigne and enhanced winter activities at the north end of Medicine Lake are NOT backcountry options. Although, granted they are wonderful easy winter outings. Who is being appeased here?
They say to truly understand a person you must walk a mile in their shoes. Picture yourself losing access to your passion. Try skiing a few kilometres in our boots. What would you do? Would you stand up? In the future, when referring to, making decisions on behalf of, or forming an opinion about the winter enthusiasts who use JNP, please refrain from painting us black. We do not deserve this colour.
Loni Klettl
Jasper, Alta.
