abandoned boats

[Hartje]

Hummmm...So we have a new environmental-cum-boating-quasi-web-discussion.

I'd say it's very on topic to this region as even the average canyons, combined with the heat and topography, could make even a day run turn into a death march. Back east a solid boat would stay put only until the next good rain and then it would be in the hands of another boat abuser, if the owner failed to get it by then. In Colorado boats don't get carried out because they've been shredded by mank and just blow away in the rocky mountain breezes ;-)

How many people out there would suffer the death march from any canyon they enter? It may not happen that trip but I would definitely go back somehow someway. I know I'm gonna eat these words someday when I leave my boat up in the shit fork of the hell ****.

[new Randolph]

Hey Shawn, you're not allowed to swear on this site. You know how serious people take the shit that you talk here!!

I think that all joking and zings aside, it's a good topic to talk about. I think that this is a very important issue in the kayaking/exploration world. Let's compare to climbing/mountaineering. Is it ethical that climbers leave O2 tanks and ropes and gear and all their shit on Everest? How about screwing bolts into rocks for top-roping. I think all and all, the boating community is pretty minimal-impact when you compare it to other venues of adventure/fun, but at the same time, we shouldn't use that as an excuse not to clean up after ourselves. This goes back to an UCC thread from last season too. I was just trying to add my 2 cents and I think others should post theirs too.

I'm not even going to tell you the story about when I hiked out of the Reno Park. I think I'll save myself the 2000 replys by pissed off reno locals. Man, those folks hate me.

By the way, the only two things I'm afraid of in this world are left handed people and poison oak. Damn Leftorium shoppers and thier left handed can openers.......

-Frank Grimes

[Anonymous]

Regardless, if you are on a wilderness trip and DO leave your boat to hike out, the responsible thing to do is to leave a note in your boat that says something along the lines of "Please do not call search and rescue, I'm okay...." That way, if someone finds your boat, they don't assume you're dead somewhere and get a bunch of people involved in a wilderness rescue that does not need to take place.

Real good point here... unless you're NOT ok. Better yet, put down a name, phone number, date and time, and which way you planned to hike out. You could be fine when you leave, and get in a bad way after 2 hrs of hiking. Now, there's no one coming 'cause you said you were fine.

Finally, when you DO reach civillization, make sure you call off any search someone might have started. Call your friends, and let them know you're out. I don't know if you can call 911 and tell them not to search for you or not, but I might try that too.

Anyway, just my 2 cents on hiking out....

[Anonymous]

In case you don't have pen/paper with you on an overnighter, you could instead pile cairns on/by your boat as a signal that you're okay.

[Anonymous]

Let's be sure to have a group hug afterwards.

[Anonymous]

so heres the update. well after riding my quad for what seemed like endless hours of fun up and down the canyon rim, i can sort of see where some of you guys are coming from. however, i was able to climb down (that climb puckered my butt hole) and find my self a Sonic 8.1 boat, 3 paddles, and a dry bag that included : 4 carabinners, 2 full water bottles, one pair of gloves, and (oh dear lord i dont even want to know)... a damn condom... still in the package thank god. heres the real shit kicker of it. i park my quad and cover it in branches as to hide it fromview, and i turn up about 15 punds of trash just doing that. final tally: one Sonic 8.1 (which i left, for 2 reasons, one i dont want to take someone else hard earned boat, and 2, im getting old and fat and it sucked already carrying all the other crap i found), 3 paddles, and a dry bag, which already had its horrible contents listed.

once i climbed back up- i took out my 5 trash bags (25 gallin size) and started picking up garbage. empty beer cans, empty cigarette packs, plastic bags, you name. after about 90 to 120 minutes of rummaging i filled all five loaded my quad, and rode back to my truck where i loaded up and made my way home to deposit all of the crap i found in the appropriate can.

again, i am now 50/50 on this subject, where i can see that is one hell of a hike, but im also all about keeping what we still have now a days clean.

on a side note, that is the first time i hiked up and down there ever, and i must say it is damn near gorgeous. as many times as i have passed there i never really knew how pretty it was until i had a chance to sit down and munch on a sandwhich and really take a look.

p.s.
the boat ACTUALLY had a note inside a sleeve protector saying the owner will be back to pick it up by the 25th. so i guess it was ok not to steal someones stuff.

[Anonymous]

WHAT??? Was that supposed to be funny? (Don't quit your day job!) Do you have any clue what it is your are talking about? I'm completely lost here. How about being a little more specific in your last post. Heck, you didn't even say anything to piss anyone off. You at least need to talk shit or say something about someones mom. I mean so what, you found some stuff, took out some garbage, had a sandwich, and you supposedly left some shitty boat behind. I'm at a loss....

[Anonymous]

my original post was;

***
just for this ill make a trip this weekend to the south merced and hike around with a stuff sack that includes a tent and small abg, a little food, and some water. ill personally take a look around for gear that people carelessly leave. who knows i might be able to get a whole new set up for the price of less then half a tank of gas.
i know its a hell of a hike into some of those places, trust me ive done it before, but i was considerate enough to take out EVERYTHING i brought in. this time ill also bring about 5 to 6 trash bags. good thing i have a good running 4 wheeler, ill take that back their to take out the garbage people like laying around. i guess my weekends packed...
***

my second post was simply what i did. there ya go, or do i need to spell it out in big block letters in real small words for you?

[Anonymous]

That's Awesome!!! You actually went in and picked up after a much of careless idiots? Good one on you! I'm sure it'll payoff down the road. Way to make an effort!

[Anonymous]

was actually the only one there, i saw a few others hiking around. when i was putting my atv in the back of my truck a man and woman with their three VERY small children came up to me and sai hello. they were there doing the exact same thing.