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Paying to Enjoy The Parks

Jun 26th - 17:27pm | Joseph Hamelin

I think if have all that money to give away, and is are tax dollers. For WARs that are needless. We should NOT PAY one penny. to use parks that was payed for with tax dollers !!!!

Jun 26th - 13:04pm | Scott Silver

That Chattahoocchee article was important. So was the one I posted the day before from SW Oregon on the Wild Wilderness blog --- and so is the discussion folks were having about Kachess Lake Campground in WA state. The three are all related and together they point to the future.

A Modern History Of Public Lands Mismanagement

Jun 26th - 13:03pm | Snowbird

I wonder if there was any secret vistor's from the NPS and American Recreation Coalition having one of those famous clandestine meeting with Mr. Cheney...of course, will never know since the secret service torn up Cheney's vistor's files. A typical operation with this administration.

Grizzly Attacks Man in Grand Teton

Jun 26th - 13:02pm | Snowbird

Mustang Sally (aka acid tongue momma) my tribe always considers and recognizes the bear as a sacred animal regardless who was here first...what difference does it make to you...you seem so anti nature! Why!!

Jun 26th - 13:02pm | Sally

Birdie: How do you know the bear was "here first?" Was the bear older than the guy attacked??

Jun 26th - 13:01pm | windymesa

1.) In the Teton case.. responsibility lies with the NPS. It is entirely thier fault as was the 2 - 1967 Glacier deaths (well documented in the “Night of the Grizzlies, by Jack Olsen”. Jackson Lake Lodge is not a wilderness area where man should know that he is in harms way, and using his wilderness savy.

Jun 19th - 15:49pm | Jim Macdonald

Just this week a motorcyclist died in Grand Teton. That's the only one this year, but that's one more motor vehicle death than bear death. If one looks at stories about it, there were still several more bear stories, even in the relatively modest Grand Teton case than in the death of the motorcyclist. We have no idea how many have been injured in motor vehicle accidents to date.

Jun 18th - 13:42pm | anony

Why are bear attacks in national parks (which happen infrequently) given more press than serious and fatal auto accidents (which happen more frequently)? Sensationalism? Is this blog fueling the hype?

Jun 18th - 13:41pm | matt

Do you really need a "well regulated militia" in the National Parks? Is your right to self-defense denied because you cannot carry a firearm? Is that really your only means of defense?

Jun 18th - 13:40pm | George Brauneis

Why is the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution trumped when we set foot in a National Park? Was this Teddy Roosevelt’s intention? Why is our right to self-defense denied?

Jun 15th - 18:15pm | Jim Macdonald

One attack in Idaho not long ago also. Kind of a nothing story, though. He's in good condition, acted the best way possible under the condition, and the bear was being a bear. It seems that there's hardly a sensational edge to the story. This is a good story of being able to live with an acceptable range of danger.

Jun 15th - 18:14pm | Snowbird

Let's face it, these beautiful creatures were here first. Tread very softly on their sacred ground...or become a bear catnip bean bag to play!

Repairing Rainier: A Question of Values

Jun 26th - 12:49pm | anony

Sally, I feel sorry for your grandchildren who have to suffer your physical abuse. Take your verbal abuse elsewhere.

Jun 26th - 12:48pm | Anonymous

Sally, I get this feeling that you've never read "How to Win Friends and Influence People".... Kurt

Jun 26th - 12:46pm | jr_ranger

Two things:

Jun 25th - 01:38am | Sally

You tree-huggers are pathetic..."too much damage" maybe we oughta just put a FENCE around it and keep everybody out.... The storm did one helluva lot of DAMAGE too, including dumping a LOT of SILT in the river too...who ya gonna blame, God??

Should Anything Be Done With Angel's Landing?

Jun 25th - 01:36am | Phil

Sanitize NPS land holdings? You might as well just plow them under, dam the rivers, and open the ecosystem to whatever type of development, be it commercial or residential, whose shadows currently cast a blight on the majority of the nation.

Jun 21st - 03:25am | anony

Survival of the fittest. Hiking the trail is optional and there are plenty of warning signs. Until people stop hiking unprepared (I met one person on Angels landing who hiked it with 16 OUNCES of water in 110 degree heat), people will continue to be at risk. Nature can be dangerous, people (but not as dangerous as driving). Don't like it, stay home.

Jun 21st - 03:24am | Bobt

I'm having second thoughts about this hike, I have wanted to do for the past couple of years now. I belong to an online Zion group and read posts from people daily about Zion in general.

Jun 21st - 03:23am | Brian

When I climbed Angel's Landing I did so without touching the chains (much to my chagrin there were a couple places where the chain was right where I wanted a handhold). I wanted to take the climb on its own terms, and was extremely cautious--probably much more cautious than someone walking along holding the chains.

Jun 21st - 03:23am | Anja Leiendecker

When you look at the climb itself, you know where you are getting into. My opinion, be your better judge and know your own limitations in combination with the local conditions. No matter how well you might keep people from doing things. When you say something is not allowed and there are no guards, usually that is what people are going to do, just because it is not allowed.

Jun 19th - 15:50pm | kath

The park service can't station someone at the trail head to do 10 second physical fitness tests. It would leave the service really wide open to liability not only for falls but also for ADA violations. NPS Rangers aren't have no medical training to determine who is and who isn't fit enough to make the grade or to determine who is subject to dizziness or balance problems, etc. etc.

Woman Dies in Fall From Angel's Landing

Jun 25th - 01:34am | Sam Jackson

At the grand canyon, they have signs warning people about the dangers of not having enough water with strapping athletic people who got into trouble and had to be rescued; likewise I think it would be effective if the zion rangers would put up some pictures of good hikers who got into trouble on the trail and posted it up there. Tragedies could be prevented a little more, hopefully.

Jun 16th - 23:39pm | matt

I fell terrible for this family - especially the daughter. I hate heights and exposures but I have hiked out to the end of Angel's Landing and several times during that hike I thought "I could turn around now" but I chose to continue. I also saw several people who did turn around or not attempt to hike all the way out.

Jun 16th - 23:39pm | DGK

The park should not allow anyone to go up Angel's Landing without the proper equipment (hiking boots, certain amount of water, etc.) There should be minimum standards set and met before going up. A park ranger should approve the ascent at a checkpoint after meeting such requirements.

Jun 13th - 16:35pm | StudentPilot

I was planning on this hike with family next week. Because of the ages af my children, I think I will have to pass this time. I am so sorry for the loss of your loved ones. SP

Jun 12th - 11:28am | CC

I was with Mr. Goldstein when he fell this weekend. His daughter, brother-n-law, niece and son witnessed the whole thing along with me. His daughter unfortunately was the one who was right next to him and lunged forward after him to save him and missed. She is who I feel the most for. At any rate, Barry too was an experienced hiker and this particular hike to Angel's Crossing was his fourth.

Take an Audio Snapshot of the Parks

Jun 25th - 01:30am | Steve Sergeant

I'll probably get a chance to play with this Zoom H4 unit at the Nature Sounds Society's Annual Field Workshop here in Northern California. It'll be interesting to see how it performs against some gear with a more impressive price tag. I've never had good luck myself using recorders which have built-in microphones.

Yosemite Fee Hike Spiked

Jun 22nd - 02:21am | matt

It's amazing what can happen when people become engaged in the process. Well played, folks, well played.

Tragedy Stalks the National Parks

Jun 22nd - 02:19am | Snowbird

Mustang Sally: Go to Olmstead Point (over looking the Tenaya Canyon) in Yosemite and you will find a beautifully engraved plaque that expresses the words "in creations dawn", if you have a soul you will know exactly what I'm trying to say. Loosen baby and read some poetry...it's called sensitvity training...I think you need it!

Jun 21st - 03:27am | Sally

Snowybird: Whaaaaaat??? What kinda mumbo-jumbo is that??

Jun 21st - 03:27am | Snowbird

Anon: Your comments are reality in the face. Death that stalks in beautiful places like Yosemite is to find your soul in the creation of dawn.

Jun 21st - 03:26am | anony

People die. I'd rather fall off Half Dome than die of a coronary in my cubicle or in a twisted pile of tons of metal and plastic on an interstate highway. People die. Why the morbid fascination with death in national parks?

Jun 21st - 03:26am | kath

The eyewitness accounts of the man who fell to his death from the Half Dome cables (via the link) were truly chilling. A very tragic sight for his children to see. But as to what the NPS will (note I'm not saying should) do? That depends. If this man's family files a wrongful death lawsuit against the NPS and wins a substantial amount of money, the cables will be taken down permanently.

Three Dead in Grand Teton Rafting Accident

Jun 21st - 03:22am | JANIE PEPPER

WE WERE REAFTING IN DURANGO, COLORADO ON JUNE 2, 2007 ON THE ANIMAS RIVER WHEN OUR RAFT TURNED OVER IN THE RApids. EVERYONE WENT INTO THE RIVER, AND WE NEARLY DROWNED. I WAS TRAPPED UNDER THE OVERTURNED RAFT, AND MY HUSBAND WAS SWEPT DOEN THE RIVER. WE WERE ALL RESCUED, BUT IT WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING MOMENT OF MY LIFE!! THE RAFTING COMPANY TOOK IT VERY LIGHTLY!!!!

A New Foundation Arises to Aid Lake Superior Parks

Jun 21st - 03:20am | Bob Krumenaker

Thanks, Kurt, for your generous coverage of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Sunday and Monday’s posts. I’m pleased to say that Sunday the grand reopening of the Raspberry Island Light, which you pictured, went exceptionally well despite Lake Superior’s best efforts to make things difficult!

Jun 18th - 13:44pm | Larry Epke

Their website needs help. There apparently is no way to contribute except through the mail. That's SO 20th Century!

Jun 18th - 13:43pm | Lawrence Haugen

Iam wondering what the differnce is between a "national park" and "national monumnet"?

St. Louis Man Dies in Fall From Angel's Landing

Jun 19th - 15:52pm | kingsley

my heart goes out to the family- Angels landing is to be the highlight of my own honeymoon vacation- though i am considering not climbing angels now- it seems a lot more dangerous than anticipated and though having experienced ridge scrambling in scotland and wales i am having second thoughts- k

Museum of the National Park Service

Jun 18th - 13:45pm | anony

"3. Give the public an "inside view" of all the diverse professions working in the parks to preserve the "best" examples of natural and cultural history. Such information could help attract applicants for jobs in the parks." What jobs?

Off The Well-Worn Path: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Jun 18th - 13:38pm | Bob Mackreth

I'll second the endorsement of Apostle Islands as an outstanding place to visit, but perhaps I'm biased: I spent 12 years at the park, retiring as Park Historian a couple of years ago.

USOC Feeling Overly Proprietary About "Olympic"

Jun 16th - 23:41pm | Tom O'Connell

In a word..."Screw the Olympics" They have become irrelevant and hypocritical...who cares about the olympics??? tom

Secretary Kempthorne Won't Oversee Snowmobile Decision

Jun 16th - 23:37pm | Steve

Although I haven't been in Yellowstone in the winter, a friend that has been going to ski camp for years said the restrictions on snowmobiles have made a huge difference in the park. Apparently the number of snowmobiles is limited and only the cleanest and quietest are allowed in with a guide.

Jun 15th - 18:16pm | Snowbird

The final word will be left behind close doors with Mr.Dick Cheney overseering the decision. I have two words to Mr.Kempthrone...no guts! This administration speaks with a fork tongue as the native Indians would say.

Be Careful Out There

Jun 15th - 18:13pm | kath

Signs in Yosemite and Sequoia say "If you get into this water you will be swept away and drowned" (Or words to that effect). I don't know how much clearer the NPS could be.

The Growth of "Amenity Fees" In the Parks

Jun 14th - 00:59am | Ike

Just for everyone's information...

Jun 12th - 06:01am | Jim Macdonald

If it makes you feel better, Mount Rushmore is a waste of your $8; it's a monstrosity carved into the Black Hills of the faces of four men who either all called for genocide of native peoples or who (in the case of Lincoln) would not help indigenous peoples because he believed it was inevitable. It's no irony that these were the four carved into that mountain.

Jun 11th - 21:40pm | Kat

After driving miles out of our way for the priveledge of viewing Mount Rushmore we were unable to. On our last visit circa 2002, some more distant parking was still free. We did not budget that $8 fee for the two cars in our party. We simply did not have the cash. And naturally anywhere we could park to view it was posted warning of big fines.

Amenity Fee Reaction

Jun 12th - 12:46pm | Elizabeth

As a fiscally conservative liberal (or a socially liberal conservative), I've long had mixed feelings about user fees. They do provide much needed income to the parks and it seems only fair that users pay a reasonable fee. And I am not convinced that fees deter many people.

Off The Well-Worn Path: Great Smoky's Cataloochee Valley

Jun 12th - 06:45am | Snowbird

I wonder if they still grow great apples in the Catalooche Valley...I bet the moonshine was great in those days.

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