To the Editor:

Two happenings in the past 12 months led me to some end-of-the-year musings. The happenings were related, though one was personal and the other one plays out in the public arena. In the end my participation in both coalesced into a stronger belief in the great idea of wilderness because I had experienced wilderness up-close and personal in one and in the other I participated in the Forest Service Plan Revision for the Nantahala National Forest.   

Beginning in early February on a cold morning, I joined three friends on a hike in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness. I had signed up for The Wilderness Society’s Dirty Dozen Hike Challenge which required hiking at least 10 miles in 12 different wilderness areas. I signed up as a lark, aware that I was an unlikely candidate to accomplish such an adventure given my age and physique, among other reasons. The opportunity of hiking so many new trails and the fun I knew we would share as the Wild Bunch was too enticing to pass up. So that day I crossed the Chattooga River in icy water halfway up my thighs, an utterly absurd and crazy thing for someone who hates the cold. 

I was hooked. I completed my 12th hike at the end of September, some easy, some extremely difficult, each one memorable and each one increasing my love for the wild places in our world. I share this personal experience not to win admiration, but to affirm that going into the wilderness is within reach of most of us if we have the desire to be part of untrammeled nature and are willing to prepare to do so.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Section 2, reached a few yards from a Blue Ridge Parkway parking spot, best embodied for me the marvels and magnificence of wilderness. This trail would be rated as “easy” with some short “moderate” sections by most hiking guides. 

I have followed closely the Forest Service Plan Revision process. At meetings and through the media, I have become keenly aware of the misconceptions about wilderness that are held by so many people and of the demands by various groups to open up wilderness areas for their particular interests (some harmless and already allowed, some highly destructive and benefiting just a few).

I have come to realize that so many of our trails and public lands would diminish little by little without the protection of wilderness designation. I also have been surprised at the contrast of those who advocate for less wilderness and those who support it. The opposition strongly and unabashedly expresses its opinions and gains widespread support. The wilderness supporters, in general, are reticent to express their love for the wild lands because of our society’s misguided views of human progress. 

Well, I am starting my New Year’s resolutions early. From hereon I will express my support for wilderness and share my new-found guiding principle: Wilderness for all, all ways, always!

Olga Pader

Franklin