 Poster: A snowHead
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| davidof wrote: |
| There are maybe less rare species of wildlife trying to hibernate or eek out a fragile existence in the rigours of an alpine winter in the French mountains than at Monaco (which, incidentally is not part of France). Species that would be disturbed by unfettered heliskiing. The Charteuse regional park, where I live, has asked ski tourers and snowshoers to avoid some routes in the area as they are important hibernation grounds for wild birds. Imagine the impact that helicopter activity has. |
Although I disagree with banning heliskiing simply because of climate change concerns, I have no problem with banning helicopters from landing on terrain which might lead to significant disturbance to the local fauna and flora. This seems entirely sensible, as is, for example, banning skiing from certain areas of the off-piste which is accessible by ski lifts within the Les Arcs domain. That seems a sensible balance between allowing recreational activity without constraints and protecting the interests of animals who otherwise might be threatened by unregulated winter sports.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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On those criteria the universal ban of heli-skiing in France might be substantially lessened, and a more laissez-faire attitude would probably prevail across the Alps generally.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Odin wrote: |
The only Bird's* I've seen hibernating in the Alp's are the ones that got too 'tired and emotional' Apes Ski |
Those apes will need protecting as well 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Odin, Huh, fat nobody's from North Yorkshire not good enough for you now 
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Frosty the Snowman,
Yep, you will always be good enough for me ! 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Odin, Good lad 
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| Red Leon wrote: |
| davidof wrote: |
| .....has asked ski tourers and snowshoers to avoid some routes in the area as they are important hibernation grounds for wild birds. |
Hibernating birds? :~/ :shock: If anyone finds a bird hibernating in the Alps, it'll be big news. |
Maybe I don't understand your comment but as an example the tétras-lyre, they build nests under the snow and rarely come out of them during the winter. Noise from helicopters or passing skiers can disturb them causing them to waste precious energy (as there is almost nothing for them to eat) which can mean the difference between life and death. Other animals are also very sensitive to disturbance when foodstuffs are in very short supply.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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im not too sure about this eco train love in thing.. how much land is taken up running a high speed raillink from london to the alps.. how much steel is made.. how many of those lovly eco friendly concrete sleepers? how much gravel is quarried, plus the bridges tunnels embankments etc.. sure airports arnt pretty but you have say 2 miles of tarmac at either end of the journey, the terminal buildings and a great big car park.. i would hazard a guess that the stations and parking facilities alone on a 800 odd mile railway use up more space and building materials.. trains may be a lot of things but eco friendly they aint.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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davidof,
Maybe a question of semantics.
Birds can spend a day or two in torpor to escape particularly bad weather but, to the best of my knowledge, only one bird - the common poorwill - hibernates and even that's believed to be for only very short periods. However, if I'm mistaken, you have my apologies and I stand corrected.
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CANV CANVINGTON, shhh, you're not supposed to ask questions like that, trains are good things. They run on positive brainwaves and float gently above the ground without disturbing the local flora and fauna.
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You know it makes sense.
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FenlandSkier, And you should get on and off as quietly as possible to avoid disturbing hibernating Train Spotters !!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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CANV CANVINGTON, Good point. I suppose it's a question of balancing the long-term production of greenhouse gases. Perhaps it does require more initial energy (and therefore produces more CO2) to build a railway line. But maybe less energy in the long term. And as long as the electricity to run the train is produced cleanly (eg. wind, tidal, hydro, solar) then the train is probably the lesser of three evils (planes, trains, automobiles) in the long term.
But not having researched the energy required to build a high-speed rail line (and stations), I couldn't say how many years it would be until the train would "pay for itself" environmentally.
The only other alternative is not to travel at all...
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Red Leon wrote: |
| davidof, Maybe a question of semantics. |
Well I have to confess to not being a twitcher. So if you prefer:
The Tetra Lyre is an example of one of a number of Alpine species that is sensitive to disturbance in the winter. It spends around 90% of its time in a torpid state in a nest burrowed beneath the snow. Completely unrestricted heli or even backcountry access would have an effect on a number of alpine plant and animal species.
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FAQ
If anyone finds a bird hibernating in the Alps, it'll be big news.
