Planes aren't a problem in GNP

This is going to be short and sweet. I absolutely disagree with the latest attempt by a few maladjusted people who want to stop all commercial air tours of Glacier National Park and I’ll tell you why.

I think there is a place for that type of unique adventure but have no argument about having some control of the activity if it is done in a thoughtful and considerate manner; however, a flat all-out ban is not fair and not needed.

In my 80 years of visiting Glacier Park, hiking somewhere close to 10,000 miles while climbing over a hundred different peaks, guiding unnumbered motor tours, and being taken on official show-me trips, 

I’ve never suffered any kind of displeasure by a few seconds of sound from a passing aircraft.

Occasionally, when aware of a passing plane or helicopter I had a feeling of being thankful I was blessed with the physical and mental ability to experience the wilderness in a way many others could not. 

I felt a bit sorry for those folks up there but got satisfaction from knowing they at least had a taste of the grandeur they would never share close up and personal. 

A result of that attitude is what motivated me to do my books and explained that in the preface of volume one. 

Have lost track of how many people who have thanked me for sharing.

The anti-aircraft proponents mentioned “noise” being “endured” by wildlife. 

Pshaw! In our wildlife book, son Shannon and I have a picture showing a pack of wolves in a Glacier Park meadow. Not one wolf is looking up or paying any attention to our “low” flying plane. There is a lesson there for certain people.

There is no sure way to know but perhaps folks who want a complete ban on overflights have a smugness about their hiking in remote places, perhaps a touch of superiority. 

Like it or not, they are not on the “Lewis and Clark Expedition.” Airplanes and helicopters are here to stay and serious hikers should do a simple attitude adjustment to reality.

End of sermon. Life is good.

G. George Ostrom is a national award-winning columnist for Hungry Horse News. He lives in Kalispell.