RE: [at-l] "Idiots" was perhaps too kind a word. . . .

[Ronald Moak <ronm@fallingwater.com>]

Jack's List >> 

    1)Neglected to pack sleeping bags, tents, extra food, and extra clothes

    2)Wore lightweight summer boots into a blizzard

    3)Did not leave detailed itineraries of their plans or schedules

    4)Did not carry maps, or could not read the maps they carried

    5)Did not carry or could not use their compasses

    6)Ignored posted warnings re. trail conditions and weather

    7)Ignored oral warnings from other hikers and/or rangers re. weather
conditions

    8)Attempted a climb of Mt. Washington without first getting an
up-to-date weather report

    9)Continued their climb, inspite of 100+ MPH winds above treeline

   10)Could not identify their location over the phone as they had no idea
where they were

   11)Expected immediate rescue nonetheless

<<

Nice list Jack, however it can pretty much fit many AT thru-hikers that
travels to the Whites in a given season. Which is just about anyone on this
list. I've only hiked through the Whites twice and have seen many thru-hiker
that would fit into the above categories. Fortunately the weather was mild
and no harm was done.

It doesn't take much to turn a mild conditions into hell. Most people don't
live in the mountains. They live in the cities in comfortable houses. And
it's hard to know what's really bad can be until you've been there. 

If you look at all the people that travel to the Whites in a given season,
50 to 80 percent of them would be in your idiot class. The fact that only a
very minor fraction of them get into trouble is hardly surprising.

And by calling people idiots what good have you done? Are they more likely
to respond favorably? If I call you one are you more likely to give me a hug
or a slug if we perchance to meet? If you choose to vent, fine. But ask
yourself does it accomplish anything but making you feel good?

You can charge $10,000 a rescue and it still won't make a difference. People
will still come. They will still get into trouble and will still need help.
No one has solved any fundamental problems. You've still got easy access to
dangerous places. You've still major promotional activities drawing in more
"Idiots". (And on the East Coast you've got an infinite well to draw from.)
So what's changed? 

In your discussions of rescues, you neglected to state where they occurred
or any of the real circumstances behind them. You've simply made a blanket
judgment and expect us to accept it. 

We'll I don't easily rush to judgment. I'm not judging you, nor am I calling
you a fool or an idiot. As I've said, I don't care for your seemingly
dismissive attitude toward people who get into trouble. I don't like it in
the backcountry and I particularly don't want to see it in Mountain Rescue
personal. Normally I wouldn't have perused a thread a vigorous as this, but
I look fondly on my years in Mountain Rescue. And that attitude does much to
tarnish my efforts and beliefs. So please excuse me if I get a bit zealous. 

To me, the whole purpose of giving of one's self for Mountain Rescue, or
anything else for that matter, is to be non judgmental. I suppose that's the
selfless side of the equation. If I start judging people, then I start
expecting something in return. 

The future is likely to see more people in the backcountry, not less. There
will be more inexperienced hikers and backpackers. One rule of life is that
nobody starts out experienced. How and where we gain that experience varies
widely from person to person. Few will have the time to join lists like this
to try and learn what they need to know. And even if they did, they'd have
to be on it for a long time to learn what they needed to know. 

If you think your attitudes and solutions are going to save more lives,
educate more people and make the backcountry a friendlier and safer place,
then by all means go for it. Frankly I don't see how. But hey I've been
wrong before.

Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
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PCT 2000 Journey - http://www.fallingwater.com/pct2000


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