Recent content by Jack Waldron

Waumbeck, I don't disagree with anything you wrote. Current Use typically is interpreted to be code for No Development. I wanted to point out that the Open Space statute includes providing the public with access to land for certain forms of recreation. The existence of trails is a...

Now that the traffic on this thread has quieted down a bit I'd like to make two comments. First, as President of WODC, I have no regrets that we published Chris' Opinion piece. It is clearly labeled as Opinion, not WODC Policy. Personally I disagree both with some of Chris' observations and...

This is truly a sad situation for hikers, hunters, fishermen, skiers, snowshoers, and nature observers. I don't see that either side in this dispute, TrailB or the Landowner/Conservation Organizations, is behaving in a morally acceptable fashion. TrailB has published a map where he didn't...

Breeding Lynx Populations? Curious about what studies these may be. The Lynx track that Mark Elbroch found in the Rt 2 Wildlife Crossing study 2 years ago were said by Fish and Game to be a transient animal. Elbroch backed up that judgment at the time. Has there been new evidence????

Wildeness Zone D Zone D is the area where the highest traffic occurs and there is likely evidence of human impact(possibly bridges, impacted or designated campsites, etc). The ledges on Whiteface is just such an area. Zone A is the area where there are no supported trails or facilities.

Ossipee Flowers Hiked the Larcoms on Saturday, saw Trailing Arbutus and Red Trillium in bloom, saw Wild Oats onthe verge of blooming.

The WODC Annual Spring Trails Cleanup day is Saturday May 19. All are welcome to join, no experience needed. We'll meet at Ferncroft Parking Lot at 8:30AM. Dress appropriately for weather conditions, bring work gloves, lunch, and water. We'll plan to clean drainages and clear blowdowns...

Forest Fire in Wilderness area The current Forest Plan has been altered to give the USFS the ability to let a fire burn itself out rather than requiring immediate suppression. If a forest fire occurs in Wilderness the Forest Supervisor decides whether motorized access will be used to fight the...

NE Wilderness Bill signed by President SUNUNU, GREGG ANNOUNCE "NEW ENGLAND WILDERNESS ACT OF 2006" SIGNED INTO LAW President Bush signs bill to permanently protect 34,500 acres of land in White Mountain National Forest WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators John Sununu and Judd Gregg (R-NH)...

Alpine Flowers Jason, You said that you did a hike from the Auto Road. Did you hike the Alpine Garden trail or another????

Lawrence Relo The section of Lawrence that the proposed relo will bypass is the "Overhang", a feature marked on the WODC map. This section traverses a steep, unstable slope, amenable to erosion; that natural erosion is exacerbated by hiking traffic. Some also think that this section presents...

The Forest Service is proposing to relocate sections of both the Lawrence and Basin trails. If you want to check this out and comment during the scoping phase this is the documentation WODC also has the information on their website

What I heard is that the composting toilet probably won't compost effectively, the collected material will be periodically shoveled out and transported elsewhere. But the system will stop the use of the lower Lake of the Clouds for flushing the current toilets and should decease the impact on...

Lynx detection The USFS is supposed to be using a system similar to what you describe to detect the presence of any Canada Lynx on the WMNF. Currently the lynx is considered extirpated from NH although a breeding population of lynx has been found in Maine. John Weaver, a biologist from the...

I'm been winter hiking for many years and have turned back many times due to changing conditions, equipment problems, losing the trail, and fatigue/illness of some members of the group. I've never regretted any decision to turn back. I have regretted some foolish decisions to push on. Once in...