Boston Globe OP/ED on SAR in WMNF

[walker]

The Boston Globe ran a very good Op/Ed article on SAR in the White Mountain National Forest. Basicly, there's a State bill being sponsered to change the wording of the law on the books, from "acting recklessly" to "act negligently"
Here's the link Boston Globe "At Rick in the Whites"
I found it interesting. A little birdie from the Fish and Game must have sang the "we need more funding" song to the op/ed editor.

Hikesafe.....Say Warm...Walker

 

[DougPaul]

There is a prior thread which covers this topic: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20832

It includes a link to an earlier version of a very similar editorial from the Globe.

Doug

 

[bcskier]

The Ten Essentials

"Weather is so unpredictable in the White Mountains that rescue officials would be justified in finding negligence on the part of distressed hikers who are not equipped with all the basics of winter-camping survival." Globe Op-Ed excerpt

I sure would like to know what that means. One thing I'm pretty sure it means is the "10 Essentials."

If that is what it means then Yvon Chouinard is a classic example of a climber who is "negligent." Here is what he says in Climbing Ice:

"Though the 'rules' and suggestions mentioned thus far in this chapter are very important for your overall safety, there is another factor which is equally important: speed...

Mountains are dangerous, and the faster and more dynamic you are under dangerous conditions, the safer you will be...The best security against these... hazards, better than... the 'ten essentials' is to be up and off the mountain when it erupts...

Man was not meant to carry his home on his back or to travel at a snail's pace--he delights in being dynamic."

The Chouinard formula is this: speed is safety and the faster you can move in dangerous terrain the safer you will be. The more you have to carry, the slower you will go and therefore the less safe you will be.

I suppose there is a golden mean in here someplace but in all my experience with bureaucrats (and you can be sure it's some drone in a state office somewhere who will decide if you were "negligent") I've found that their whole rational process depends upon checklists. They will go down the list and if you were missing one of the items on the list voila your case will be stamped "negligent" especially if you were of the opinion that speed was better insurance against trouble and lost the gamble for some reason.


bcskier

 

[DougPaul]

I suppose there is a golden mean in here someplace but in all my experience with bureaucrats (and you can be sure it's some drone in a state office somewhere who will decide if you were "negligent") I've found that their whole rational process depends upon checklists. They will go down the list and if you were missing one of the items on the list voila your case will be stamped "negligent" especially if you were of the opinion that speed was better insurance against trouble and lost the gamble for some reason.

It is a lot easier to check compliance with lists than it is to evaluate a mountaineer's/hiker's competence, particularly if you don't know much about the activity yourself...

Doug

 

[bcskier]

The "list" from the hikesafe website

The Ten Essentials
When on the trail, a variety of tools and accessories can help to keep you safe, warm and comfortable. However, there are ten items which are an absolute must on each and every hike you take - whether it is an afternoon jaunt or a three-day tour. They are the Ten Essentials:

Map
Compass
Warm Clothing
Sweater or Pile Jacket
Long Pants (wool or synthetic)
Hat (wool)
Extra Food and Water
Flashlight or Headlamp
Matches/Firestarters
First Aid Kit/Repair Kit
Whistle
Rain/Wind Jacket & Pants
Pocket Knife

Don't forget your whistle! It could mean a $21,000 bill.

 

[DougPaul]

The Ten Essentials
When on the trail, a variety of tools and accessories can help to keep you safe, warm and comfortable. However, there are ten items which are an absolute must on each and every hike you take - whether it is an afternoon jaunt or a three-day tour. They are the Ten Essentials:

Map
Compass
Warm Clothing
Sweater or Pile Jacket
Long Pants (wool or synthetic)
Hat (wool)
Extra Food and Water
Flashlight or Headlamp
Matches/Firestarters
First Aid Kit/Repair Kit
Whistle
Rain/Wind Jacket & Pants
Pocket Knife

What! No snowshoes?

Doug

 

[Mike P.]

& a map I would think is suspect to the individual. Chicken Man, do you always carry a map on Moosilauke? Thinking if yoou've been someplace 20+ times a map isn't something you look at when your on the 21st trip. Granted it doesn't weigh much but if looking to cut ounces so you can carry your snowshoes.....