Westwood Ridges closed by DND?

[riverrat]

Here is a map taken from the Mt Benson Regional Park management plan pdf provided on the first page of this thread by Smokey. I have marked a few landmarks:



Note that there are still two popular lookouts that are accessible, if I am reading the topographical lines correctly. I am deeply disappointed by the loss of Roberts Roost and the highest point of Westwood Ridge; those are certainly the best / most accessible hiking lookouts in the region.

(I agree with many of Hiker of the Cosmos's opinions, but I can't abide the rudeness and namecalling. Sometimes I note that rude posts are simply a defensive response to other, prior rudeness from other members, as I noted with the Bridge to Newcastle thread (I thought Hiker-Cosmos was very well behaved in that thread until other people became downright nasty). However, it seems that this thread went downhill when Hiker-Cosmos started making offensive remarks about military-biased people, after NZA stated his own opinions. Cosmos started that one. Can't we all just have different opinions without namecalling, and referring to other people's opinions in really nasty ways?)

[The Hiker of the Cosmos]

Here is a map taken from the Mt Benson Regional Park management plan pdf provided on the first page of this thread by Smokey. I have marked a few landmarks:



Note that there are still two popular lookouts that are accessible, if I am reading the topographical lines correctly. I am deeply disappointed by the loss of Roberts Roost and the highest point of Westwood Ridge; those are certainly the best / most accessible hiking lookouts in the region.

(I agree with many of Hiker of the Cosmos's opinions, but I can't abide the rudeness and namecalling. Sometimes I note that rude posts are simply a defensive response to other, prior rudeness from other members, as I noted with the Bridge to Newcastle thread (I thought Hiker-Cosmos was very well behaved in that thread until other people became downright nasty). However, it seems that this thread went downhill when Hiker-Cosmos started making offensive remarks about military-biased people, after NZA stated his own opinions. Cosmos started that one. Can't we all just have different opinions without namecalling, and referring to other people's opinions in really nasty ways?)

My post about military-biased people wasn't directed at NZA or any one person but rather at the vast majority of those supporting the military's position, both here and even far more so on the Daily news blogs where such support seemed to be of a knee jerk reaction that was not information input based in regards to the subject matter.

These views are as well as just supporting the Military no matter what, no matter the facts or specific situation, as in they can do no wrong.

Until i was attacked i was very rough on the military and ripped them hard, but then they are a legitimate targets such as would be Harper or Christy Clark for example, posters are not nor was that my intention.

I was up on Mount Benson in the neutral zone on Sat. once again but saw no Romulans or cloaking devices anywhere, but i did see 2 dirt bikers, a few hikers with backpacks who it seemed were going to camp out there for a few days and other hikers.

If i read your map right it seems like Roberts Roost is outside the Neutral Zone but the access trail to it is not.
As well it appears like the K2 & K2N trails are also not in the neutral Zone, but as they are not marked on the map i am not sure as this map and the one at the start of this thread re DND claimed land seem to be different.

[Nanaimo1]

I am not sure as this map and the one at the start of this thread re DND claimed land seem to be different.

If you had read, the map that was at the start of this discussion are not accurate but the GUESS of the writer of that message. Use the facts as presented.

This map shows my general understanding of the land which is being declared off limits.

[The Hiker of the Cosmos]

No trespassers fined on DND trails
Patrols through the training range along the Westwood Ridges have resulted in 27 warnings since July

Ben Ingram, Daily News
Published: Monday, December 10, 2012

No fines have been handed out to trespassers using the trails along the Westwood Ridges since the Department of National Defence issued a warning to residents last summer.

A spokeswoman with the Canadian Forces, Jenn Jackson, said on Friday that patrols through the training range where live ammunition is sometimes used have resulted in the issuance of 27 warnings since July 2012. No violation tickets had been handed out.

"Regardless of the number of warnings and tickets issued, we remain concerned that some members of the public are willingly placing themselves in danger and urge the public to respect all fencing, signage and security measures in place," said Jackson.

The area is home to some of Nanaimo's oldest and most popular trails for hiking, biking and other uses.
Last summer the DND announced it would be increasing security in the area, which had been used for decades by local groups for special events and other uses.

Military police conduct random patrols of the firing range area and the safety zone established by DND.
While no violation tickets have been handed out, Jackson said there remained heavy concern for the safety of the public.

If a person were to be injured during a live fire exercise, it could be difficult for the person to obtain aid, Jackson said.
"Range staff would not be able to assist until notified or a random patrol comes across the individual," she said.
She added that staff at the range take "all possible safety precautions," including a visual watch while the range is live.

[The Hiker of the Cosmos]

Ha, what a joke the storm troopers are, i have been hiking up there all along all the time unaffected by their foolish dictates.

Besides from the Kilpatrick trailhead straight across from the opening from Westwood Lake to the hydro right away going all the way through K2N and about half the way along K2 and the Westwood mainline loop that extends well past westwood ridges is all municipal land as stated in an article in this paper where mountain bike trails have agreed to be bulit by parks Nanaimo and the Mountain bike club and as is shown on the map at the parking lot at westwood lake, so Col. Kilnk's previous claims to that area were a lie.

The whole we will fine you and take you before a judge was a big bluff, the MP's if they patrol at all are right up near the firing range.The so called safety issue is a red herring, there is none at all, no danger.

Trespassers HA HA, how can you trespass on your own land that is being unused by all storm troopers included, silly Sgt. Schultz, i have can & will continue to hike there as i see fit, i own it, i live it, i hike it, from here to the Cosmos and to infinity and beyond.

This whole thing is a joke and the military are the laughingstock of Nanaimo, i see mountain bikers, hikers, capers with back packs mounter bikers up there all the time, none of them are afraid of this magic bullet that does not exist, Yawn !!

The Military has no business on Mt.Benson, time for them to move on or out and take their out dated ideas with them, they won't be missed. Repeat there is no danger on 95% of the DND area period, Col.Klink's lies notwithstanding, Hoooooooooooooogan i Seeeeeeeeeeeeee Noooooooooooooooothing.............Nooooooooothing !!!!

Clearly the military were just blowing smoke up their butts with all their threats of arrest, fines, ending up charged before a judge...NOT!!

It looks like spreading disinformation, propaganda & communicational mismanagment is all the military are good for these days, time for them to be downsized into oblivion, the F-35 is dead, long live Mount Benson, Hike on masses as the military hides quacking in their 1950's diefenbaker bunkers.

I was up there today for 4 hours hiking in that area, it was great, Grand just Grand