Keep a secret?

[Steve in Idaho]

Recently, I took a trip with a friend (both of us in solo boats) down a remote roadless stretch of river that seems to have escaped the attention of those who write guidebooks and Internet trip reports. We were able to find almost zero details about the river prior to the trip, other than flow data and what can be seen on Google Earth.

What we found was a nice surprise, not foretold by any of the little information we were able to glean from locals. We couldn't believe that there was so little known about this stretch of river, given especially how much of it was fun class 2+ with striking views.

It's tempting to go tell others about it, but we have agreed at this point to keep it to ourselves. Not out of selfishness (well, maybe a little ), but more out of a desire to protect it.

But is that protection by obscurity real? Possibly not. As long as the area has no great economic value, I think obscurity may be enough. But what if that situation changes?

What would you do?

 

[Gamma1214]

I'll admit to some bias as I seek out lesser known places and document the experiences on my website (as well as posting the canoe trips here). I do it, in part, hoping that others may find the information useful and plan trips of their own. True, that might lead to over-use of an area but it might also lead to people being aware of the resource and becoming motivated to protect it.

A good example of this is the proposed mining around the BWCA. If not for the canoe traffic in the Superior Nat'l Forest, those mines would have (probably) started operating long ago.

Another is probably the work that @memaquay has done. The routes he's shared with me are certainly not heavily traveled but they actually need some traffic in order to keep them open and keep the areas surrounding the ports from being cut. (at least, that's my understanding of the agreement that he's worked to implement).

There is probably no perfect solution but notoriety is not always a bad thing (especially if access to the area is difficult).

 

[Marten]

I have a similar issue with Atikaki Provintial Park.in Manitoba. There is no good info on the portages there. Northern Tier Scouts have traveled the trails for decades but have pulled out. If some new paddlers do not start using it most of the routes will be lost. My solution has been to share MOST of what I have found. I just keep.a few favorite lakes to myself and chosen friends.

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

Not rivers, but I have made a habit of getting into very remote bushwhack lakes in Ontario (collecting a few per year). In the last three years all but one were lakes that I am confident had no human visitors in many decades. It's fun to go fishing where the fish have never seen a lure.

I do not put info out there on these lakes or my route in, but if specifically asked I would likely share.

 

[stripperguy]

In the Adirondacks, there are fragmented areas of "wilderness". Some are popular, some are not.
I happen to favor the obscure and intimate waters that are seldom visited, and even less so, paddled.
For those willing to put in the effort, there are plenty of hidden gems, and even some linked routes that are barely recognized.
C'mon over, I'll show you around, but I ain't talking about them here...

 

[Erica]

I have a river I’ve never mentioned to anyone.

 

[Seeker]

I think we all keep secrets... favorite walks, hikes, campsites, rivers, caches... I'd not say a thing in your case.