Spinal Fire Scientia Est Potentia

Who Should Get a Motor Permit?
By John Kedrowski

Some motors in the B-dub are not bad. First of all, they increase access to people who would normally not be allowed access and they can help canoeists who would not be able to paddle certain chains, bypass a large expanse of water. There are people out there who really need the motors. There are also people out there who do not need them.

For instance, what if I applied for a motor permit? I can tackle any of those motor routes in just about any conditions in about half a day with my paddle. And there are a lot of people out there like me. I'm nothing special, not a sports hero, nor genius, nor superstar.

A little story that is all too common on the motorized routes. I paddle a group of elderly (55 or older) into Fall Lake. Motors boats whiz by filled with young men and kegs of beer. They hit the portage, drop their wheels and run the boat across with all their gear in it in less then 15 minutes. We stop, take rest, and move slowly over the portage, taking multiple trips. Doing the same trip is definitely harder for my group. In fact, it would not be possible if they did not have their strapping young guide to take the equipment they couldn't carry.

Now I would like you to think about all of the people would like to go, but cannot because of the people who took that permit. In my opinion there is no reason for me to ever apply for that permit. Also, in my opinion there is no reason for anyone who is of similar ability to take those permits.

We live in a shameless society. Able people take the easy road too often because they can and they really miss the benefits of something that my grandfather would call "elbow grease." This is lazy and shameful for a number of reasons because places like the b-dub really raise the bar on human experience. An able person taking a motor boat into THIS area to camp shoots so far under what they are capable of that its amazing they ever get anywhere in life. I am not saying that people aforementioned are losers, some are quite successful. Why the double standard for recreation, though? Why at the expense of others? In my humble opinion, the BWCA is a canoe area. People should canoe when ever possible. There are elderly, cancer patients, terminally ill, chronically sick, disabled people who need those permits in order to visit this area. For them, the bar of human experience is a constant challenge throughout their lives. For them, taking a motorboat into the B-dub represents a real wilderness experience. If you are not one of those people then grab a paddle and hold over for those who do need them.

Wilderness is about challenge. It is about life and meeting challenges. The BWCA provides an opportunity for challenge that can truly lead to self-actualization. Which, when I think about it, is the hidden agenda behind creation of Wilderness Areas. Helping people become better people by meeting challenges. In this area their are plenty of places for motors and many of them are "wilderness." In the BWCA there are places for motors. Let the people who need the motors to meet their challenges and enhance their lives use them. For the rest of us, buck up and grab a paddle. Life is too short to always take the easy way.