Paradise at Risk: Choosing Stewardship for BC’s Backcountry

– By Steven Miros, a member of the Kootenay Mountaineering Club –

Have you noticed changes in BC’s backcountry? Favourite trails that were quiet a decade ago now see dozens on a summer day. Alpine meadows braided with new paths. Litter appearing. Wildlife scarcer. That special spot you scouted now trending on social media. Trailheads overflowing by dawn. Rising rescues. Hesitation to share locations even with friends.

You’re not alone. The wild, lesser-known places we cherish for solitude are being overrun—loved to death.

British Columbia remains one of the world’s great wilderness treasures: vast rugged terrain, diverse ecosystems, layered Indigenous and settler history, and a culture of self-sufficient outdoor recreation. Raw and resilient—a shared inheritance, not curated for likes.

Why Is This Happening?

Remember when a backcountry trail felt like a quiet secret shared with a handful of friends? Today, on a sunny summer weekend, that same trail can hum with dozens of voices, boots crunching in waves.

The surge hit like a perfect storm: post-pandemic outdoor fever, staycations, BC’s booming population, remote workers relocating to mountain towns, capable 4x4s everywhere, new regional flights, and relentless marketing of “hidden gems.”

Then social media and apps (Instagram, TikTok, AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Strava) threw fuel on the fire. Places once “earned” through maps, skills, and local knowledge now go viral overnight. The cycle spins faster: one geotagged photo → more visits → fresh content → even bigger crowds. Even AI now predicts “quiet” times, spreading the pressure to every corner.

Social media cuts both ways: when it inspires stewardship, it protects; when it chases virality, it erodes.

What Can Be Done? Four Possible Futures.

1. Unregulated Free-for-All: Trails degrade, wildlife vanishes, burnout spreads—eventual closures loom.
2. Heavy Regulation: Permits, fees, lotteries—solitude returns, but only for the lucky or wealthy.
3. Education Alone: Signs, workshops, appeals—valuable, but overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
4. High-Use, High-Culture: Accept the crowds; build a strong, self-policing stewardship culture through mentorship and shared ethic. It works in the crowded European Alps and emerging pockets of BC

Door #4 keeps access open, protects the wild, and preserves the adventure—and the FMCBC member clubs are perfectly placed to lead it!

The Opportunity

BC’s limited trail infrastructure keeps our backcountry raw and real—yet it struggles under the weight: roadside chaos, rogue paths, strained rescues. With a $500M+ maintenance backlog and RSTBC leaning heavily on volunteers and small grants, we risk either chaos or heavy-handed rules.

Door #4 matches our scale beautifully: hundreds of thousands of passionate recreationists and dozens of established clubs can cultivate a responsible, self-regulating culture—keeping BC’s wilderness open and wild for everyone.

Key Roadblocks & Flips

• Apathy → Gentle nudges (extra litter pickup, quiet tips).
• Social media spotlight → Share vibe, not pin (“Kootenay Fade”).
• Rogue/purist extremes → Invitation and dialogue—turn passion into allies.
• Gatekeeping → Radical inclusion—everyone belongs.
• Volunteer burnout → Start small to attract new energy.

Clubs as the Backbone

FMCBC clubs bridge gaps that solo users or informal groups often can’t: a stronger collective voice in advocacy, liability insurance, access to grants, organized trail work, safety protocols, and skills mentorship.

But their true magic is cultivating a living backcountry culture—one that turns solitary adventures into shared guardianship and deep connection.

International visitors flock to BC not just for jaw-dropping vistas, but to immerse themselves in something rarer: the quiet ethic of self-reliance, the unspoken respect for wild places, and the welcoming camaraderie of those who truly know the mountains. They come chasing that authentic “secret handshake” with nature—an earned sense of belonging that feels raw, real, and profoundly rewarding.

FMCBC clubs are perfectly placed to nurture and share this culture province-wide. By helping clubs adapt, FMCBC can amplify it: evolve newsletters and socials into vibrant modern hybrids—snappy stories, practical tips, stewardship spotlights, and celebrations of all contributions (leaders and supporters alike). Embrace every level of participation: a photo, feedback, or simply showing up on a trip all matter. Add low-friction tools like polls, quick reads, mentorship pairings, and active Instagram to draw 25–50-year-olds—revealing clubs as thriving hubs where seasoned wisdom ignites fresh energy.

Collaboration across all responsible users—hikers, skiers, bikers, motorized—already thrives through groups like ORCBC and others. Tools like RSTBC’s SPIP and grants welcome everyone—no membership required to become a guardian.

When clubs embody this inclusive, vibrant culture, they don’t just protect trails—they pass on the soul of BC’s backcountry to locals and visitors alike, ensuring it stays wild, open, and deeply felt for generations.

The Kootenay Fade Principles (building on Leave No Trace)

1. Guard the Quiet – Share vibe, not pin.
2. Know Before You Go – Build skills.
3. Pack It Out – Plus one extra piece.
4. One Line Only – No braiding.
5. Move Softly – Low voices, respect wildlife.
6. Honour the Land – Follow signs/directives.
7. Leave It Better – Pitch in on trail work.
8. Use Tech Wisely – Educate, never burn spots.

From Conquest to Guardianship

Early club days pioneered routes and first ascents. Today, the focus is stewardship—open trips, skills courses, inclusive events. By passing on ethic and advocacy, FMCBC clubs ensure BC’s backcountry retains its wild soul for generations.

What FMCBC Could Do to Help Clubs Build This Culture

FMCBC is uniquely positioned to support member clubs in evolving toward a more inclusive, vibrant backcountry culture—without adding heavy burdens on volunteers.

• Shareable Templates – Ready-to-use Canva designs for Instagram posts, newsletter layouts, and stewardship graphics (e.g., “Kootenay Fade” themes, beginner invites).
• Club Toolkit Hub – Simple webpage with sample social calendars, beginner trip outlines, event ideas, and success stories.
• Mentorship Matching – Pair experienced clubs with others via short Zoom calls or shared drives to swap digital tips.
• Provincial Culture Campaign – Lightweight theme (e.g., “Wild Soul – Everyone Welcome”) with stickers, hashtags, and graphics clubs can adopt.
• Grant Guide – One-page summary of RSTBC SPIP, ORCBC/ORV Trail Fund, and grants for inclusive projects.
• Annual Vitality Workshop – One virtual/in-person session yearly: share successes, celebrate wins, crowdsource ideas.

These leverage FMCBC’s reach to ease the load—delivering tools, inspiration, and coordination.

The Result: stronger clubs, more members, and a welcoming BC backcountry culture that protects what we love.

Small actions from enough of us build the culture that protects access without permits.

The mountains are watching. Choose guardianship—start today.

–

By Steven Miros – a member of the Kootenay Mountaineering Club