Baviaans informal camping

[tok-tokkie]

There is a ride report on WD about a one night stand in Baviaanskloof by Paulski & A.N.Other.
They camped at Smitskraal (?), made a fire with collected wood and braaied.  Clearly they at least knew they were not entitled to gather wood since he states (tongue in cheek) that they brought the braai wood in & the saw was for cutting the tough meat (sosaties).
Someone posted saying that it is verboten to camp there & to collect firewood.
Next 2 posters were in defence of what they did.
I have no problem about breaking laws which I believe to be absurd.
I have a big problem with behaviour like this because I understand exactly why we have rules like this.  (Think of bikes being banned from Gamkaskloof for example).
What say you.

[Trailrider]

I agree wholeheartedly. I myself have camped next to the road, but there is camping and camping. If you leave the place without a trace that you've been there it's no problem.

When you go into a nature conservation area without permits and start burning whole (dead) trees I have a huge problem with it. It's irresponsible and wrong. I wanted to say something on WD, but in light of all the fighting there recently I resisted. I did however mail Sir Gravellot a link to the relevant post. He is VERY green, but not in an arrogant way. He'll probably post a loooong post about why it should not be done. He believes (quite rightly) that education is better confrontation.

[Eisbein]

Yeah - I also feel you should not leave the place worse off than what you got it.

Camp there and for that night eat your toppers and smash or bulliebeef and 2minute noodles that you heated over a little gas stove...


Tread Lightly...

[Trailrider]

From WD:

Quote from the second post:

"Check the cool fire (we carried all the wood in on our bikes and the little saw was for cutting the meat"

They were perfectly aware of what they were doing.  Excusing them on the grounds of ignorance is a case of ignoring the blatant evidence.  My recollection is that there is a notice right there saying no camping.

Bad behaviour in Gamkaskloof had bikes banned.  This sort of thing jeapordises our chances of continued access to Baviaans.

The voice of reason. As allways.

Cool post Tok Tokkie

[Rustyb]

I also believe in the principle of : Leave only footprints.
In the wilderniss areas the dead/decomposing trees are sometimes the only new nutrients available to other new plants. That said, I have in the past harvested orchids from newly felled trees in the Harkerville area. Only for myself and friends and always given away for free.