The Long Drive In?
Walkers and climbers are being asked if vehicle access should be allowed over certain Government-owned tracks, ending long walks to the start of ascents and crags.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has been asked to comment on allowing vehicles on the approach track for Ben Dearg near Ullapool and five tracks in Galloway. The MCofS has traditionally not been in favour of opening up access on tracks to cars and other vehicles, preferring the idea of the “long walk in”. The MCofS is asking if climbers and walkers are now generally in favour of opening up access to these tracks and if so, would it just be for a restricted group (eg. winter climbers), who would fund the maintenance of the tracks and deal with any problems arising from vehicle access, and whether there are other issues that should be taken into account.
If the MCofS was to respond in favour of vehicular access to the Government on these 6 tracks it would need to change its current policy on this issue. It is therefore asking for comments on this issue which can either be posted on the MCofS website or sent to the Access and Conservation Officer, Hebe Carus by 15 December.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I am not in favour of allowing vehicles on to approach tracks. Most drivers are not familiar with handling their vehicle on rough terrain and drive too fast. This is very damaging to the track i furthermore this damage increases exponentially because the ruts fill with water which further loosens the surrounding ground. At this stage it becomes difficult to repair because patch repairs break down very quickly. Maintenance becomes a vicious spiral of increasing cost.
The current policy is sound. It is also carbon efficient since a vehicle parked at the gate is not producing greenhouse gasses.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Surely the whole point of remote hills etc. is their remoteness and therefore the difficulty of accessing them with a long walk. Allowing vehicle access reduces their remoteness and detracts from the adventure.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Could not agree more with Graham Brooks the fact that these hills are remote is the adventure. The sense of achievement that comes with some hard work on being able to complete the long walk in and then gain the summit along with the sense of space and freedom is the hook that leads to life times in the hills.
November 30th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Please keep hills remote where possible. Winter climbers should not be climbing if they are not able to walk in! Opening tracks might only increase the number of fatalities, will increase pollution and will despoil wild countrside!
What a stupid idea!!!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I think it is important that people make their views known to the MC of S as well as publishing them here. The views of walkers are equally as important as those of climbers.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I’d echo what Peter Christie says.
December 5th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Hello,
I assume that you are referring to the track (Beinn Dearg) in from Inverlael…..the boys in for the winter routes up the glen, with 4×4′s will be fine save them 2kls? each way…..those with normal motors might find difficulties. But is there ever snow much snow on this track at 5 mts above sea level rising to 130mtrs? I don’t own a gas guzzling 4×4.