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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 22, 2004 A bandanna and juice container lie in a ditch near the parking lot at the Mount Ashland Ski and Snowboard Resort Friday. The spring thaw every year reveals the carelessness of some Mount Ashland visitors, who toss trash up and down the road. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Time for the trash bloom Mount Ashland neighbors say people just toss things out along access road By VICKIE ALDOUS for the Mail Tribune While residents on the valley floor enjoy spring’s blossoms, neighbors along Mount Ashland Road frown at the new crop of trash revealed by melting snow. "Each year it tends to get worse," said Jack Sutherland, a resident of the Mount Ashland Ski & Snowboard Resort access road since it was built in the 1960s. "People don’t seem to have the gumption to haul it somewhere with a garbage can. It’s easier to throw it out the window." Neighbors wage a continuous battle against garbage on Mount Ashland, picking up everything from McDonald’s wrappers to beer bottles to clothing. "I walk in the summertime and have picked up bags and bags of garbage," said resident Susan Engelstein. "Everyone is so into the mountain, but people are throwing things out the window. They just don’t get it. "I have no clue what makes people throw out trash in a place everyone claims to love so much." Advertisement Neighbors said littering is a year-round problem along the road that worsens in winter as skiers and snowboarders head up the mountain. After hearing neighbors’ concerns, Jeff Hanson, general manager for the ski area, said staff members have stepped up efforts to clean up the mountain. The ski area already provides garbage cans, and the Mount Ashland Racing Association cleans up the first mile and one-third of the access road two or three times a year as part an adopt-a-road program, he said. Hanson said the Mount Ashland Association, the board of directors for the nonprofit ski area, also will adopt a segment. He is searching for three or four other groups to adopt additional sections. Staff posted a message on the ski area’s snow phone line recently to make skiers and snowboarders aware of the problem, he said. The ski area may move up its annual volunteer work day from August to July to get an earlier start on the clean-up, Hanson said. "I have difficulty understanding how anyone even throws something out up here," he said. "It’s frustrating to us that it even happens. It’s something that’s inconsistent with the ethic of going out and enjoying the environment. We totally support the residents in their desire to have both the ski area and the road stay cleaner." Even if groups adopt additional segments of the road, neighbors said visitors should be responsible and put their garbage where it belongs. "We live on the mountain because we love the mountain," said resident Michael Engelstein. "There’s something magical about it. We do our best to keep it clean. "It reflects on us and the community. It needs to become a community effort to keep it clean. Those of us who live on the mountain, the ski area and the general public need to do our part." Vickie Aldous is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach her at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times