This WAG BAG question is interesting after all the discussion regarding pack stock use in another thread.
I have backpacked in the Sierras for over 40 years, and have seen no improvement vis a vis reduction of human waste in the mountains. ....
...I think really severe restrictions are needed on the Whitney trail. Like what?
1) No more day trips permits to the summit,
2) restrict the number of overnight trips per party to once per year,
3)cut the number of overnight trips from the Portal to six permits per day,
4) allow a maximum of four people per permit,
5)allow Portal originating overnight trips to July and August only.
The Whitney Trail needs a long overdue rest from its hiker generated abuse.
There is that ugly attitude again: I've seen the Sierra, so now it's time to keep all the commoners out.
Calihawk best responded to that thinking
in the Half Dome thread:
I think that it goes beyond taking beauty out of the reach of commoners. Doing half dome with the cables is not for commoners, it takes a reasonable about of desire and conditioning. Without cables it is significantly more dangerous. The problem is that over limiting access to the beauties of nature creates fewer and fewer that are allowed to understand the beauty. My theory is that those that appreciate true nature will always desire to truly preserve it. Those that favor limiting access often carry the issue too far by arguing that ANY assistance in access destroys nature. Well nature that is not appreciated has already been destroyed. Of course we will always hear the argument that increasing access will lead to freeways through the Sierra, but that argument should be seen for what it is: hyperbole.
The best example that I have seen to explain the value of some access being for the good of all is Morro Rock in Sequoia. Many would scream of the railings were proposed to be added today, but those railing provide access and I am certain that people that have used that access to hike to the edge of Morro Rock are forever sold on preserving and SUPPORTING National and State parks. I see it as a minor sacrifice for a greater good.
Mt Whitney is a rock. It'll still be there in a million years, well after our civilization is gone. Wag bags left behind do not affect the rock, and limiting access will not affect the mountain. The wag bag problem is a current one that affects the rest of us, but it doesn't really affect the mountain. We can and should work to find solutions to the WAG bag problem, but no matter what we do, Mt Whitney will be just fine.
