Got banned from a local hiking forum for mentioning trail erosion

I posted about a specific switchback on the Mount Whitney trail where folks were cutting across, and the admin said I was 'fearmongering' and locked me out. Has anyone else run into a group that shuts down conservation talk?

2 comments

2 Comments

brookerobinson1mo ago

Oh wow, that's wild. Maybe they're scared that if people actually talk about the damage, the trail will get closed off completely and they'll lose their favorite spot.

elliot_grant381mo ago

yeah @brookerobinson but that doesnt make any sense though. i actually read a study last year from some university that said trails that get officially closed for repairs usually reopen better than ever. the whole "if we ignore it itll go away" thing just makes the damage worse. like if the switchback gets completely washed out from all the cutting, then yeah theyll close the whole section for way longer anyway. its crazy how some groups treat conservation talk like its some kind of attack when its literally the opposite. ive seen it in a few local facebook hiking groups too where they just delete any post about wear and tear. makes the trails worse for everyone in the long run.