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Saving a corner of wilderness.
You can sign their petition to protect the Cime Bianche here.
This entry was posted in Europe, Italy, Uncategorized, Val d'Aosta and tagged Alps, Annamaria Gremmo, Aosta, Cime Bianche, Climate change, Conservation, Francesco Sisti, Italy, Last wild valley, Marco Soggetto, Mountains, Ski, Skiing, Val d'Aosta, Vallee d'Aoste, Vallone selvaggio, Wild, Wildlife. Bookmark the permalink.
Oh, this is heartbreaking. Certain sports tend to attract selfish, shallow types. Those who seek excitement of the amusement park variety. And for some reason winter sports can be so destructive to nature. My property in northern Michigan borders a bike trail that becomes a super busy snowmobile trail for the winter. Talk about disturbing the peace. And every spring I haul garbage bags full if beer cans out of my meadow. Obnoxious. Anyway, I sure hope the petition will make a difference. At least attract some media attention.
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It’s interesting how there aren’t any beer cans in summer but there are in winter. Hints at different demographics I guess? Thanks for your words Julie, I’d love for the valley to stay as it is. Maybe more ski alpinists, even BASE jumpers and less ski runs…
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We often see how what were once tranquil and idyllic places have now been turned into tourism hot spots in the name of money and ‘development’. I’m sure this is not the only way to boost local economies. In many cases, it’s the local communities who will suffer the most once their villages, valleys and mountains have lost their charm after so many years of exploitation. The developers, on the other hand, will just have to look for another place.
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Well said Bama. To be honest the valley next door is a good example. The local village, Cervinia, is an utter shitehole. Ruin beyond repair.
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I’m a skier but I signed the petition. There are limits…
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Thanks Rich! I mean nothing stops skiers to do it the old way, climbing & skiing down. Plenty of people do that and more often than not without ending under an avalanche!
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It’s such a beautiful area, this is so sad. I love to ski in resorts, but even more to ski tour in the untouched backcountry. I signed your petition. Maggie
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And you have LOTS of backcountry over in BC! This is the only corner left in Ayas… Thank you Maggie.
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Thank you indeed Fabrizio!, a precious help and a brilliant, witful reading. Thank you so much! 🙂
Marco
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I have gladly signed. It leaves me completely gobsmacked that people don’t get it, still! Don’t get it that we need the wilderness. Don’t get it that we’re ruining the planet. Don’t get it that progress for the sake of it brings about more destruction. I do so hope you (whoever that may be) manage to save the valley.
Alison
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Thanks Alison! Unfortunately mankind is a bit stupid…
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Done. I wonder when a respect for our wild places will return. 😦
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Thanks Lexi. Who knows, maybe this will be it. I’m also following a lot of similar work done in the US by people like Tommy Caldwell and Conrad Anker… hopefully they’ll all succeed.
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Thanks for this post, I never thought before about the negative aspects of skiing and how it rips the soul out of places. I have signed. Good luck to your family in this fight.
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Thanks Loons! 🙂
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I wonder if the pandemic will push the travel reset button. We definitely have to reconsider how we travel and explore to ensure that local communities don’t sell out to a quick tourist dollar, but retain the use and beauty of their environment. Your brother’s photographs are amazing, and I hope they are successful in their quest.
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Mmmh I’d love to but I sincerely doubt it. There’ll be out with a vengeance as soon as the whole covid thing blows over I fear…
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I am an avid skier but the development you describe here is outrageous. I have signed the petition to protect the Cime Bianche valley. Thank you for sharing this.
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Thank you Caroline!
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Ohh, this is important work that you all are doing. I signed the petition most gladly.
As an ardent (ex) skier it’s been different for me. When I see a ski lift pillar, I’m reminded of good times. Of course, the infrastructure in Slovenia is neatly limited to a handful of ski centres, so they are always crowded. Every year my family used to run away to Italy or Austria for a week to ski in just such a developed resort in a vast, connected network of valleys. Oh, what joy!
Of course, as you justly say, too much is too much and even if you’re a rich country, or especially if you are one, you should take it easy.
I had a look at your brother’s photo work and it’s rather spectacular. And of course I love the dogs.
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Both him and Annamaria are cracking photographers… with LOTS of dogs indeed. Thanks Manja.
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