[pct-l] Rangers

[dsaufley]

I can't say enough nice things about the backcountry rangers I've met in the
Sierra. They are truly awesome. I gained some insight into their culture
reading "The Last Season," by Eric Blehm, the true story of the
disappearance and search for Randy Morgenson. Randy was a 20+ year veteran
of the backcountry rangers. While it may not be common to all, Randy
struggled greatly with having to fulfill law enforcement duties. Through
this book I came to better understand and appreciate what the role of the
backcountry ranger is, the tough things they have to do, and how lucky we
are that they are out there.

To tell the truth, I've NEVER met a ranger on any trail in any of the
Southern California ranges. I've never seen one outside of a truck, except
to ensure OHVers had their green stickers and adventure passes at the Rowher
Flat OHV area.  Most stations are full of firefighters, and not "rangers"
per se.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Amanda L Silvestri
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 6:49 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Rangers

I think that Shelly is about on the mark.  I few years back I became so
enamored with the area above Idyllwild that I spent the summer as a
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger just to spend more time there and to really
learn the area.  
 
There were only a few Law Enforcement Rangers (LER) assigned there at that
time, although any ranger could radio for the LER to meet someone at the
trail head or somewhere along their line-of-hike to issue a ticket.  Mostly
it was about educating the public about why the rules were in place and not
about punishing people or power-tripping. 
 
What I did was make sure that folks had their permits.  I would also advise
them as to proper footwear and rain wear.  Day-hikers did not realize that
it rained almost daily in those mountains and that you could be very wet and
cold and sick by the time you got back to your car..  I would check camping
areas for smoldering fires, or worse, and direct or lead lost hikers back to
the trail head, etc. 
 
One time I spoke with a group of hikers at the trail head who were going up
to the forest lookout tower.  I asked them if they knew what to do in case
of lightening.  Being funny they raised their tracking poles up into the air
to simulate lightening rods.  We all laughed.  They turned out to be fairly
regular hikers in that area.  Whenever I saw them after that , they would
all yell "It's Amanda!" and raise there tracking poles together like the
Three Musketeers.  It was our little joke, although it did perplex the other
rangers just a bit.
 
Shepherd
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