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Show PAGE 39 THE ZEPHYRMAY 1995 Dear Jim, This is a diatribe against Harvey Halpem'i diatribe, which was, in turn, against your diatribe against Steve Allen. But before bundling into my diatribe, I'll make some undiatribelike comments. (1 know your spell checking program choked on the previous sentence, but I think it's important to resist the tyranny of computers, important to show them who's the boss.) Yes, the Chimney Canyon cow was a serious pest, and it was well worth the effort to remove it. I visited upper Chimney when the cow was still alive and trampling. If I had applied to the BLM for a permit to wreck a riparian area like the cow was doing, I would have been turned down. If 1 had gone ahead and wrecked it anyway, I would have been fined or perhaps even jailed. But some people (induding people like yon, Jim, who really ought to know better) seem to think that when this sort of damage is caused by cattle, it's excusable. Cows cause more damage to the Undscape than rccreationists ever will Yes, it's important to build a constituency for Utah wilderness. If visitors to this area become active wilderness advocates, then their net effect on the bnd will be positive, despite the extra footprints and tire tracks. And yes, Steve and 1 larvey have devoted countless hours to defending Utah wilderness, and they deserve our praise for their efforts. They mean well, and on balance their efforts have been tremendously helpful. estauraot yhnt Jgrought yhe Serves a Superb Jgrunch uit. route-discover- 900 n.m. to 1:00 p.m. Efw in a Hole with Smoked Trout Sauce Chicken or Mushroom Crepes ()melets Quiche of the Day Fruit Salad (irilled Quail Salad Red Beans and Rice and much more! BUT... None of the above provides an excuse for Steve's guidebooks, which I believe do more harm than good. Steve's latest book is particularly difficult to justify on the grounds Harvey set forth. The routes it describes are technical (requiring ropes and rock climbing skills) and long (typically requiring a week). Such a guidebook is useful to only a small portion of Utah hikers. If Steves primary purpose was to enlarge the pool of wilderness advocates, he would have written for an audience that's larger than hard-cor- e backpackers who can regularly spare time for long trips. An aspect of Steve's books which is especially disturbing is that he seems to seek out the most obscure routes possible. Why concentrate on the least known canyons when there are plenty of better known ones which have not been covered extensively (or at all) in existing guidebooks? In fact, why write more guidebooks at all? I think Southern Utah already has plenty. They concentrate use in previously pristine areas, and they rob their readers of a sense of discovery. I much prefer discovering new places on my own to getting tips from guidebooks or friends. I were to consult a book, I would if (And prefer the skeletal and frequently inaccurate information contained in Kelsey's books to the overly detailed accounts in Steve's books. With Kelsey, adventure and discovery are still possible. Steve takes all the fun out of it.) My advice to would-b- e Utah hikers is (1) learn how to tread lightly in the desert; (2) learn how to avoid running out of water or getting lost; (3) buy some topographic maps and just follow your nose (ignore the guide books!); and (4) spend at least as much time defending the wilderness as you do hiking in it. It may take you longer to find your way to narrowest slot canyons or the most awesome vistas, but the added sense of discovery and adventure you get from finding them on your own more than makes up for the delay. My advice to would-b- e guidebook writers is (1) DON'T DO IT! If your motive is to create more wilderness advocates, then I suggest you concentrate on the thousands of people who already visit Southern Utah but who are not yet active wilderness proponents. It isn't necessary to draw still more people to this area. Concentrate on recruiting those who already come here. If you have an uncontrollable desire to be a published author, then I suggest you write a book (or magazine article) on wilderness appreciation and protection which doesn't contain explicit route Information. If your motive is simply to make money or to show the world what an accomplished hiker and you are, then I suggest you consult your conscience. JYow fining xquisite you i- .? i. fr.vMv V SKvS Early Bird Special 5:30 to 6:30 Complete Dinner $9.95 3 r; 92 E. Center St. M Open Sightly sj 5:30 p. Reservations 6 Accepted f) 259-429- f 5 Letters to Feedback should be received by the Zephyr by the 20th of the month to be considered for publication. Winners of the "Letter of the Month" receive a one year subscription. er Write: The Zephyr, POB 327, Moab, UT 84532 Kevin Walker Moab EX?ar Jim: Loved your story about the cats who have adopted you. Now you need to let those warm fur persons in the house so they can curl up in your lap and lower your blood pressure while pondering the ugly proposed tramway. After all, cats are environmentally correct. They hathe without water and they bury their own waste. And now a note to Jane Jones on her article about the proposed seat belt legislation. While Jane states that she has an ethic which pushes her to take care of herself she ignores the outcome of failure to use seat belts. Persons with head and spinal cord injuries all too often end up on Medicaid and S.S.I. because the cost of care soon exceeds their major medial coverage and the resources of their families. It is this issue which drives legislatures to enact laws regarding seat belts, motorcycle helmets, infant car seats, designated smoking areas etc. Jane makes her point about jumping out of a vehicle before it goes off a diff, but it sounds like an activity best reserved for an experienced stunt man (or woman). A slogan for Moab? I low about., ."tread softly on this fragile beauty"? Christine B. i Iclfrkh Evansville, Indiana (only 120 miles from Lynn's Paradise Cafe) Yes. Cats Jo bury their waste..Jut in my clothes hamper? Note: At press lime we had received additional letters from Bruce Chester, John RETRACTIO This animal identified as "Bella" , was previously proclaimed DOG OF THE MONTH. analysis now indicates that Beiia is not actuaily a dog. As a result, she is entitled to all the rights and privileges of human beings DNA (so-calle- L. Jones d) and Linda Seibert. They will appear in the June issue. MOAB'S FAVORITE PLACE TO STAY B & B . Urge lot with quirt atmoshpherc. 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