It was with a lot of emotion and sizable trepidation that I read the cover story of last week’s Driftwood, headlined “Rough road slows down responders.”
The road up to Mount Maxwell Provincial Park is such a gem on this island. Yes, it’s a rough road but at least the park has a road going right to the top. That is so rare and unique in this part of the world.
It is true that the road condition limits the quantity of vehicles, increases the need for quality and experienced drivers and thus reduces the volume of traffic putting pressure on the park’s infrastructure.
I am not the only one that thinks it has a positive impact overall. We often take sunset picnic dinners up to the viewpoint with folks that could never walk up there. In fact, it was the last thing I did with my mother before she passed.
To lose public road access up to that viewpoint would be a tragedy for locals and visitors.
The bluffs and rock walls that surround Baynes Peak (aka Mount Maxwell) have been used as a respected rock climbing area for decades. A group of hardworking, skilled and dedicated climbers has done a brilliant job of creating an impressive array of sport climbing routes for all skill levels. It’s a real asset to our island. As far as adventure sports go, sport rock climbing is one of the safest, statistically.
It has been so incredible to share this activity with my two teenage sons. It has completely changed their attitude and those of their friends about Salt Spring Island as a place that has “nothing for the youth to do.” Now they are engaged and passionate about aspects of the island.
There likely isn’t a parent alive that doesn’t wish their children to be more connected to place and nature. Putting down their technology devices (even temporarily) and using their physical bodies also has profound and positive long-lasting effects. Sport climbing builds strength of mind and skill. It is celebrated by the young and the old, males and females alike. This should be promoted, not prohibited. It’s an amazing way to connect with yourself.
I know about this subject as I was the one injured and needing to be rescued by Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue members on April 7. Thank you to each and every person that was involved. I am healing well and have a profound new appreciation for my mobility. The professionalism, skill and teamwork demonstrated by the paramedics and SAR team was outstanding.
I can appreciate your desire to streamline systems, increase efficiencies and strive for perfection. But from my point of view, as a patient, everything about the rescue went perfectly. No system was deficient; nothing needed to be better. Heck, I broke myself deep in the woods. I was very impressed by the rescue. It was an extremely rare event that led to my accident in the park.
However, if the public road access to Mount Maxwell Provincial Park is terminated or the mysterious new prohibition on rock climbing in the park is enforced due to this rescue or the continued dialogue that surrounds this issue, I would be absolutely devastated. Gosh, could I live with that stigma or would I be “voted off the island?!”
I certainly hope not. I have so many sunsets picnics to enjoy and climbing routes to explore in the most amazing spot on the island.
CHARLES GROOMS,
Salt Spring