LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Tatshenshini-Alsek for all

I am responding to the article “Tatshenshini-Alsek area grows in recreational use” (T.N.M., Jan.18/93). I am one of the 1,000-plus people who visited the Alsek River last year.

As a mining professional it is a relief to learn that the resource industries are not the only industries operating in the wilderness that are under attack.

The author claims that “Some rafters on the Tatshenshini-Alsek river system have complained that encounters with other river users detracted from their `wilderness experience’.”

During my visit we encountered four other parties. The first was a Parks Canada representative, who travelled by helicopter. The second party consisted of two botanists from the Sierra Club. They also travelled by helicopter. The third was another organized tour. (We could see the visitors only through binoculars.) The last was a young family who camped about 500-1,000 ft. from our camp. Overall, no one was very disturbing. If contact with people “detracted from their `wilderness experience,'” what would seeing a helicopter do for it. But to travel the Alsek it is necessary to use a helicopter to portage Turnback Canyon which is possibly the most dangerous stretch of white water in the world.

The author claims that “The study collected data on environmental impacts along the river corridor, and identified problems such as trampled vegetation, campfire scars, disruption of wildlife and human waste and litter.”

Yes, I would agree that some vegetation would get trampled but this is a river trip and most of the time is spent on the water and therefore just how much vegetation are they talking about? The large population of bears would quite likely trample a lot more than the people ever would.

I saw no evidence of “campfire scars.” The fires were built on metal plates. Before leaving a site, the visitors dumped the ashes into the river to be washed away. Even the stones that surrounded the fire were dispersed. As well, all human waste was buried and litter was packed to be carried out to the end of the trip. The majority of wildlife that we saw — grizzly and brown bears — was at a great distance. Up close, the bears would be much more disturbing to me than I am to them.

The article fails to mention that there is no land access to this area in British Columbia. The put-in points for the trips are in the Yukon Territory’s Kluane National Park (Dalton Post for the Tatshenshini River and Haines Junction for Alsek River). This park is regulated by Parks Canada and has strict regulations.

The trip ends in an American national park at Dry Bay, Alaska. Finally, I would like to say that this is truly a once in a lifetime trip and it would be a shame for others who enjoy river rafting not to be allowed to partake of it.

Alfred Yetter, P. Eng.

South Porcupine, Ont.