However all of these benefits are being threatened due to overcrowding, overuse and mismanagement of this resource. Combined, these groups and others attending the Mountain Conference represent more than 1 million members interested in human-powered recreation in wild areas. Athearn says many more enjoy hiking and climbing without subscribing to a particular group. Much political debate comes from vocal minorities, Athearn said. Some environmental groups want to block human access completely, or corporations seek extraction.
Most individuals fall somewhere in between.
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