At the risk of being considered a party pooper, I am taking up a position as advocate for the forest trees that have no voice of their own. Up at our beautiful ski area, Purgatory, as you ride up Chair 3 you will see no shortage of trees that are strewn with, of all things, women’s underwear. (I use the term “women’s,” but I suspect they are really girls’ bras and panties, as I know of no self-respecting woman who would willingly display her undergarments for any and all to see.)

It amounts to little more than trash; after one wind and snow storm, these pieces become soiled and shredded bits of garbage that will for many years disgrace the grandeur of these trees. This detritus is not easily reached and so cannot readily be removed, but instead stays entwined in the branches for all who visit or live here to see for many ski seasons. These are not colors found in nature, and nature will be a long time challenged at ridding itself of these decomposing bits of refuse. If I have missed some point about the whimsical, fun-loving nature of those who think they are acting in the spirit of joie de vivre, then I apologize. But the sight of this dirty underwear display both embarrasses and disgusts me every single time I ride that chair.

Perhaps it’s hypocritical of me to allow that strands of brightly colored beads do in fact seem somewhat decorative and festive, and that the trees seem to wear their jewelry well. But can you girls please stop throwing out your old and/or gawdy undergarments onto the limbs of these stately trees under the guise of being some sort of devil-may-care party girl? It’s just plain trashy.

Jan Mayer

Durango