March 2004
Quiet Commotion Conference Attended by over 50 Participants
Quiet Commotion, a conference dedicated to preserving and restoring the quiet non-motorized experience in our backcountry, was held on February 27-29, 2004, at the Monarch Lodge. Two Backcountry Snowsports Alliance staff members and three board members joined more than 50 participants to learn more about working with land managers, the rules governing off-road vehicles, travel management plans, getting the right message out, and community organizing.
Speakers included Jim Furnish, former Deputy Chief of the US Forest Service, attorneys for The Wilderness Society, and a staffer from Colorado Congressman Mark Udall's office, among others. Mr. Furnish presented an analogy comparing how smokers used to have the right to smoke anywhere-just as motorized recreationalists have now. He suggested that in the not-too-distant future, non-motorized recreationalists, will have the upper hand as non-smokers do now.
Snowfall at Monarch Pass totaled 8 inches on Saturday, and almost 2 feet on Sunday. A few turns (snorkeling on Sunday) were had ...
Mark Ensner rips turns, Monarch Pass