The Fight to Protect Muir's Legacy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/29/yosemite-half-dome-plan_n_1240217.html

This week the debate over what is wilderness, and how to regulate it was stirred once again. Yosemite National Park has made public its intention to limit accessibility to the parks signature landmark: Half Dome. Park officials wish to limit summit permits to 300 per day. This is a stark difference from the days where anyone could summit the peak without a permit. In those days, as many as 1200 individuals would crest the peak in a single day.

The Park Service argues that the wilderness area containing Half Dome is seeing deterioration of natural features due to excessive use. In keeping with their definition of wilderness, the only solution is to decrease the number of individuals who will be permitted to enter this wilderness area.

Having been to Half Dome just this past summer, I can personally attest to the damage caused by the crowds. Trails are broadening due to excessive use, thereby leading to increased erosion. Litter may be seen at times, but thankfully this has been kept to a minimum. Noise pollution spoils the areas natural splendor at times. Finally, some of the wildlife is no longer truly wild. Many of the areas small mammals have become accustomed to handouts from the public.

In an effort to curtail these effects the Park Service instituted a limit of 400 Half Dome passes each day in 2011. Apparently not seeing the changes they are looking for, they have decided to cut that number to 300. While I can personally attest to how difficult this makes acquiring a permit, I can also say that I believe the ends justify the means. When in wilderness areas you wish to be left alone to absorb your surroundings, silence enables you to see more of the native fauna. More people means that these animals seek shelter as noisy groups rattle by.

Additionally, there should be some sort of test required to summit Half Dome. We already see this at the worlds tallest peaks, like Mt. McKinley.  McKinley also boasts a remoteness that only invites the most adventurous and fit outdoor enthusiasts. Half Dome, however, is close enough for city slickers to make an overnight trip of it. A few of these individuals, from my experience, are out of shape, litter, trample through sensitive areas, take unnecessary risks, and do not fully appreciate silence.

It is time to put the "wild" back in "wilderness", and the Park Service has taken the first steps to do just that.