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Post by qp on Apr 6, 2008 17:05:39 GMT -5
I frequent the Red River Gorge area a couple times a month. I live near Louisville KY and make the trip usually on weekends hiking the trails in the area of the Red River. Even though the trails are relevantly clean throughout the areas I've been in, I still find trash and pack it out. That over the fact public awareness is of the essence to keep them informed of the importance that our Wilderness needs to remain clean. I'm organizing a clean up the Gorge for May 10th 2008. As it stands right now I have 6 people interested in taking part on May 10th. We are shooting to get at least 25 individuals involved in this project possibly more come join in on the effort. Drop me an email if you are interested in joining in on this effort. qp@wildernesspassages.comor IM me here on the WP board. The latest issue of the Wilderness Passages is availble and has a great story in it on the Red River Gorge. www.wildernesspassages.comqp |
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Post by nancy on Apr 13, 2008 15:13:46 GMT -5
Thanks, Bo, for joining Kevin Callan and I in the global effort, The Great Wilderness Cleanup! Not only is our friend and neighbour, the USA, involved now, thanks to Bo, but our own country, Canada, as well as the UK and Brazil are taking part.
Please help Bo and Mother Earth this May 10th weekend!
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Post by nancy on May 13, 2008 11:16:30 GMT -5
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Post by nancy on May 13, 2008 13:59:36 GMT -5
Thought I'd post a few pics... CANADACourtesy of Kevin Callan (Serpentine Route)  Courtesy of Lost Canoe Crew (who joined up with Kevin's Kawartha Brigade)%20160.JPG) The Serpentine group took out 14 bags plus other stuff you can see in the pics above. Courtesy of Quinte Paddlers and Hikers (O'Briens Bridge at Moira River) The Quinter Paddlers & Hikers took out 4 large bags, 3 tires and a Christmas decoration! UKCourtesy of MagiKelly (Castle Semple Loch)         The Castle Semple Loch group took out 5 tires, a car bumper, a car seat, 2 signs, 2 traffic cones, over 15 golf balls, 8 bags of garbage, and the best of all...a vacuum cleaner! Poledancer & Company (Union Canal - Linns Mill)Courtesy of Mutineering Maggie  Courtesy of Sunadal  The Union Canal group took out a sign, several light bulbs, Lucozade sports bottles, polystyrene cups, an unbrella, the top of a washing machine and part of a hoover, a tire/wheel, a football, 4 large bags of mostly plastic bottles and bags. They did a 5 mile stretch. Just a few for now. Lots more to come. Please feel free to post your own stories and pics! Together we ARE making a REAL difference.  |
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Post by qp on May 13, 2008 20:33:38 GMT -5
I must say I was very surprised as to just how clean the trail we hiked. I was on this trail back in mid Dec. 2007 and packed out one full bag and all I could stuff in my pack. Noting to myself I would return to pack the rest out. With that in mind I made our Wilderness Clean Up this trail. To my surprise it was clear someone or group had beat us to it. Here we are starting our hike.  Soon into the trail we find it fairly clean we turn off trail to check out the campsites. Here is some paper and foil at the first campsite.  After we clean the first sight up mostly the foil and a couple cigarette butts, we follow a side trail which turns out lead to 5 other campsites.  Looking at my map I see this trail should cross the main trail about a mile up. So we continue on, but finding the trail is harder to do as we go. Soon we find a stopping point. Our trail, about ¼ mile below us, but no way to get there.  We turn around and quickly hike the trail we just came on, a mile of back tracking we short cut through the forest to pick up the main trail.  A side trail takes us to see Grey’s Arch. Red River Gorge contains many rock shelters this one was in the valley where we found Grey’s Arch.    We pay our respects to a shrine left by a family of a fellow hiker from many years back who lost his life from falling off the 70 foot tall arch.  One of the interesting things we found behind Grey’s Arch wasn’t trash unfortunately. But a plant called White Haired Goldenrod, only grows here in Kentucky according to the sign.   Wild Flowers were in abundance.  Arriving at a creek we find another campsite, this one was being used so we walked on up looking for trash.  It was time to head back to the trailhead.  Disappointed we didn’t find much trash on the trail to pick up. I was elated to see someone else is doing their part in helping keep the Wilderness Clean. The way I tried to look at it was small trash is just as important as the bigger articles. I didn’t count the cigarette butts or gum wrappers, but there were several. A few plastic water bottles, one was buried with only the cap showing. Talk about laziness, someone taking the time to bury something in place of packing it out. Even though we only had the three of us we had a successful clean up hike. Eight miles total covered and two, make that three very tired kids. qp |
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Post by nancy on May 14, 2008 15:21:55 GMT -5
QPassage, I don't know which is better - seeing lots of garbage being taken out or seeing it clean. I think seeing it clean, don't you? After all, that's the whole idea, right? Thanks for the great blog and a job well done. I look forward to working together for next year's cleanup. I have a couple more blogs for you to check out for now and I'll post some more pics tomorrow: Algonquin Outfitters www.ao-sales.blogspot.com/And...you've got to check out this one - from our Brazil Chapter leader, Tony Carlos Osse: www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=10652Left me speechless. |
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Post by nancy on May 16, 2008 14:49:05 GMT -5
In case you didn't look at the blogs, here's a few more pics: USACourtesy of Greg 'Bo' Bowers  Fortunately, Bo and his wife didn't find too much on their 8-mile hike in the Red River Gorge, Kentucky; mostly some foil, wrappers, cigarette butts and a bit of paper. Now that's what I like to hear! BRAZILTony Osse (Itapetininga River)Photos Courtesy of Fred Chalub                     Tony did a truly phenomenal job! On Friday, he and his group were met by not only ladies in dance costumes, but also by people carrying signs that read "The Great Wilderness Cleanup" (in Portuguese) at the town entrance and were escorted to the first of 2 schools where Tony was greeted by over 100 students in front of the school. Tony spoke to a total of over 500 students that day. On Saturday, they collected 32 large bags of garbage, and on Sunday, another 17 - that's 49 in total!! They found the same typical items that we do here, such as plastic bags, sandals (hey, it's warmer in Brazil), car parts, plastic chairs, metal buckets, deodorant cans (huh?), a pesticide can (which by law there must be returned to the seller), and a bunch of paint cans. The garbage had to be picked up by a garbage truck, and was later sold to a recycling business in the city for "a symbolic price". The part I loved the best was hearing that Tony had educated over 500 young people. Brought tears to my eyes. Way to go, Tony! I'm looking forward to another great event next spring. Why don't you all join us next May for The Great Wilderness Cleanup!! |
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