Five national forests in Colorado have denied skier Chris Davenport's request to use footage filmed in wilderness areas during his successful 2006 attempt to ski all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks in one year.
For a story from the Aspen Times, follow this link: http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20070430/NEWS/70430013/0/FRONTPAGE
Davenport used hand-held cameras and, later in the project, a helicopter to film his descents. He plans to release a film of the endeavor without wilderness footage.
I can see both sides. I don't want the wilderness to be trampled by commercial film crews, so I understand the rules. On the other hand, what Davenport did is a true celebration of our wilderness, and should be seen.
What do you think?
13 comments:
I say those are public lands. If the filming didn't harm the wilderness, why would releasing the footy harm the wilderness?
I think it was a good decision by the Forest Service. If they let Davenport do it, then they will have to let everyone do it. Also, I don't agree that this was a celebration of wilderness..... it's about a pro skier making a living while providing exposure for his sponsors.
I hear what you're saying, but it's not like he was setting up a taco stand on the top of Elbert. His wilderness visits were no different in impact than any other climbing party.
I'd consider the helicopter rattling over and hovering above the peaks to film davenport's "celebration of wilderness" to be quite a different impact that any other climbing party.
Yeah, fair point. How many of the 14'ers did he have a helicopter at?
Bad logic andyw...there are rules for climbing parties in the wilderness as well...like limiting the time spent, the number in the party, etc. All are aimed at maintaining and protecting the wilderness. Go to Wilderness.net and learn more if you really care about it.
By the way....nice photo accompanying this blog. Isn't that a guy on telemark gear?
If you let Davenport do it, you don't have to let everyone do it. Wouldn't you have a permit process? How many people would meet XYZ criteria? Are helicopters banned from flying over wilderness areas? (I know, I'll check it out.)
I admire this sort of shameless self-promoting and ask-for-permission -after-the-feat. After all, I don't want to fill out all these government requests before my attempt to ski all the 13ers in one year.
Dude, if you can ski half the 13ers in one year, you deserve double the props Davenport got.
Someone tell me, though, aren't there a bunch of 13ers that are, even by Davenport's standards, unskiable?
Anyway, if you do it, be sure to get a helicopter to record every minute!
Ski Lizard Head.
And die.
Are we still jock sniffing this guy for his made up accomplishment?
You think this was like cruising Schoolmarm? Please explain why don't consider skiing off all of our 14ers an accomplishment. Did you want him to ski all the way to the bottom?
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