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LETTER: Respect the trails

Editor: Last week, my partner and I were hiking one of Kananaskis Country's most iconic ridges when we encountered two mountain bikers on the trail – way up in the high alpine – where they were definitely not allowed. I said something to this effect,

Editor:

Last week, my partner and I were hiking one of Kananaskis Country's most iconic ridges when we encountered two mountain bikers on the trail – way up in the high alpine – where they were definitely not allowed. I said something to this effect, but the two guys just carried on their way. The trail was signed at the trailhead to say no bikes.

I am really concerned that the GoPro mentality, competitive one-upmanship and Facebook-look-at-me-spirit is leading to more and more fragile environments being used as athletic grounds and not given the appropriate respect.

We reported the two guys to conservation officers, and I really hope that they caught them. I would encourage park users to recognize the cumulative impacts of the individual infractions they witness and become active stewards of the land by reporting these careless behaviours with as much detail as possible: descriptions and photos if possible (but no confrontation), to give officers good evidence to work with.

lt is true that, especially with COVID’s unprecedented park visitation, it feels like there will never be enough officers on the ground to tackle every infraction; but precisely, caring citizens were never more needed to assume their/our part of the responsibility when we can do something to help.

Call Kananaskis Dispatch 403-591-7755 to report violations.

MP Chappeland,

Canmore

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