wilderness neophytes backup plan - call 911 offering credit card for helicopter ride down

[Liberal_in_LA]

Half Dome survivors wish they had taken heed

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While others turned back, Castillo pushed on up the park's iconic feature, making him one of Yosemite National Park's worst nightmares_ the increasing number of wilderness neophytes who mistakenly think the government is obligated to save them.

"People are pushing their luck, trying to beat the weather, and their backup plan is to call for a rescue," said Mark Marschall, project manager for the Half Dome interim permit program. "They're not understanding what that means. We can't fly in that kind of weather. They're on their own."

The problem has surfaced in recent weeks on the park's most inspiring hike, where visitors confronted by unseasonable rains are ignoring warning signs and common sense. With less than a month to go until the Half Dome route is closed, park officials are making a rare appeal for visitors to use discretion on the trail.

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Some callers tell the dispatcher they want to use their platinum credit card for the free helicopter ride some companies guarantee in an emergency. Park officials don't charge for rescues — nearly 1,000 rescues cost more than $2.5 million between 2007 and 2010 — but neither do they fly in dangerous weather.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/10/08/national/a080120D12.DTL#ixzz1aDir1TVO

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. I remember seeing a sign on a dune in Michigan...

The dune is like 400 feet down to the water. The only way out is back up the 45 degree incline.

The sign informs you of the $3000 dollar helicopter ride available if you can't make it out.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. City folk sure are funny some times

Cougars are cute
Wildlife never attacks
Anyone can catch a snake
Rescuers can always come save their ass
The wilderness is just one large park
Their trash is not their problem
Their water needs trump the rest of us or the environment

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. city folk?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. I am being a bit crabby today

Had another city goober try to tell me my property was public land and that I had to let him join his buddies this AM. He got really worked up until I got off the ATV and he realized that I wearing a sidearm. I have the encounter recorded if need be, including his license plate and name.

Some examples from my journal: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/HardcoreProgressive/25

The wilderness is just that, be prepared to deal with it or stay home.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. ok. I'm a 'city folk' and wouldn't do some of things listed in your post

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Some get it without having spent away from civilization

but there seem to be an amazing number of those who do not. My journal entry captured a couple of the better moments. Some of my shooting students do not get it either.

Today's goober was really full of bluster...He refused to believe what I was telling me and threatened to call the state police to force me to let him in. Pointing out to him that *no one* is camping here, that he was honestly mistaken, and suggesting he call his buddies to get their raw GPS coordinates so I could help he get to the right place was met with more threats. Such events make me crabby...

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. Famous last words

What a cute cub. I wonder where it's mama is?

[Earth_First]

8. Three weeks ago we ran into a group of overdue hikers at 5 a.m.

We stepped off for the summit trail of Marcy in New York's Adirondack Park high peaks backcountry.

About an hour into our day we stopped to drop packs and grab water at John Brooks Lodge when we ran into a group of twenty-something hikers who asked ua how far it was back to the Garden lot trailhead. Explaining that hey had gotten lost the afternoon before, they asked for snacks and water, to which we obliged and delved into conversation...

On a failed summit attempt of our same itinerary the day prior, the day long on daylight, and depleted of resources and what I am sure was exhaustion, the mistook the ADK loj for John Brooks lodge and ended up nearly 15 backcountry miles from their intended destination. Instead of using better judgement and overnighting there, in their cotton clothing and depleted food source, and no navigational devices or bivouc gear, they decided to double-back through the night. An epic rainstorm occured that night, washing out already devestated trails from Irene. They most certainly spent a very shitty night out there.

In further discussion with their 'group leader' his demeanor on the entire situation was that of, and I quote: " so big deal, we got lost..."

The big deal was the forest service ranger looked to close out the register for the day and saw that this group was well beyond overdue and set out with another parks service employee to retrace their itinerary and likely deviations...

The register is not a leanto log to muse over at days end. Its meant to possibly save your life.

These guys should consider themselvea lucky, both for making it out without serious injury and not running into the parks service employees with that attitude...

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. The group's "leader" attitude may have been 'big deal" but I bet he

had been terrified during his night in the woods.