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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
Wednesday, August 16, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Tour group exceeds wilderness limits By Craig F. Eisenbeis WALK: Several Sisters residents are living with ALS Correspondent The Little Belknap Trail is typically very lightly populated, and I’ve usu- ally encountered only a bare handful of other hikers in the area, who – as often as not – are PCT hikers. However, this recent trip was a rather hor- rendous exception. Hearing the noise of a raucous crowd, I looked down the trail and saw a long, long line of peo- ple marching up the pathway. In all, I counted nearly 60 in this “wilderness” group, where party size is suppos- edly limited to a maximum of 12. Unlike most hikers, who stop and talk about where they are from, this group apparently had been coached not to talk about who they were or where they came from. They were very close- mouthed and resisted interac- tion. My impression was that their leaders were well aware that they were committing an egregious violation of wilder- ness rules. The party was spread out over approximately half a mile and its members were wearing tour badges. I learned from some of the stragglers that about half the group on the geological tour was from Taiwan, others were from all around the country. When I returned to the trail- head there were seven identi- cal vans that had transported the tour group into the area. One of the vans was open and tour members who had turned back were handing out cold drinks. Acting Sisters District Ranger Amy Tinderholt said that the case is still under investigation. She said that the trip leader has been iden- tified, and further action by Forest Service law enforce- ment officials is pending. This case, I learned, is not the only recent example involving huge groups in violation of existing wilder- ness rules. These significant Continued from page 3 PHOTO BY CRAIG F. EISENBEIS Tour group vans clog the parking area at the “wilderness” trailhead leading to Little Belknap Crater. violations come at a time when the Forest Service is considering severely limiting public access to the wilder- ness and requiring paid res- ervations for all wilderness visitors in our region. If the Forest Service feels that the wilderness is being savaged by users, it is my opinion that more could be achieved by enforcing exist- ing regulations and cracking down on serious violations such as this, rather than clos- ing wilderness access to the rest of us who use the areas responsibly. WE’RE NOT JUST TIRES! We do... Alignments, Brakes, Shocks, Struts, CV Joints, U Joints, Axle Shafts, Drivelines, & Tire Siping ...not only cars, but trailers, too! DAVIS TIRE 541-549-1026 Serving Sisters Since 1962 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage 20-25 people with this rare condition, who survive from three to five years. Don Boyd, former wine steward at Ray’s Food Place, founder of Season’s Café and Wine Shop, and a 40-year resident of Sisters, lives with ALS. His wife, Joyce, explains, “So many people want to know how they can help. Not much — except by donating to this event.” Leslie Blain, who lost her husband, Roger (a retired National Park Service ranger) last winter remains active in the circle of ALS. She will walk with the group that is dedicating this 2017 walk to Roger and Carmen. “We were embraced when we came here by so many 17 people. I was introduced to Carmen Hull through email before we moved here, and then to Joyce Boyd through Carmen. In this disease, we make our lives the best they can be. We developed friend- ships with these people, which continue even though I have lost Roger. These friend- ships are pretty important.” The irony of loving friend- ships formed as a result of a hopeless diagnosis is not lost on the Team Hull group. They offer mutual support during the disease and continue to remain close “in the tough days that follow” after the death of one of their group members. Anyone who would like to walk with Team Hull Hustlers or support a walker with a pledge can call Allen Hull at 541-549-6152. The ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington chapter can also take donations. For more information email walk@ alsa-or.org. Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben General, Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry ~ Over 22 years Serving Sisters ~ We are preferred providers for Delta Dental PPO and Premier, MODA, Advantage, Pacifi c Source, Cigna and the V.A. 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Sisters 2017 Dodge Ram 4x4 1500 Crew Cab SLT with lots of upgrades. Come by and check it out! Reduced to $34,500 Buy or sell your car with locally owned ... (Low miles • newer than 2005) Best P B Price! i !N No H Hassles! l ! CARFAX C Certifi tifi ed! d! Sisters Car Connection 541-815-7397 102 W. Barclay Dr., Sisters Black Out Golf Tournament August 21 st at 8 AM Join us for Totality with a once-in-a-lifetime celebration! 25 TOP BRANDS, INCLUDING HUNTER DOUGLAS Includes breakfast and lunch, hole-in-one prize, commemorative hat, special cocktails, raffl e prizes, viewing glasses, cart ... and, of course, golf! SALE ENDS AUGUST 31 www.AspenLakes.com • 541-549-4653