[pct-l] Park Rangers

[jplynch]

I don't have much experience with wilderness permits except
in Yosemite.  There they don't ask for an itinerary, just
an entrance point and an estimated duration of your hike.  

On Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:52:00 -0800 (PST)
 shon mcganty <smcganty at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I've had a few irriatating experiences with park rangers
> when trying to obtain a backcountry permit.  
> Three times at two different parks I've been turned down
> for my permit.  Why?  Because, in their view, the hike I
> was wanting to do isn't possible.  Why?  I was trying to
> set an iteneriary with 23-25 mile days over 4 days (90
> miles in 4 days), and that just wasn't possible.  I still
> steam over it.  
> I've heard 5 park rangers use the term "not in this
> park," referring to "this park" has mountains and passes,
> with the idea that I must be from Iowa and I may be able
> to do 25 miles a day at home on roads, but not this
> "park" which has ups and downs.
>  
> I wish I knew to what extend they have a right to deny
> permits.  I'm guessing they have all the power.  That's
> why I steam over it.  They have no idea what they're
> talking about.
> I wish I knew if I could ask to speak to their supervisor
> or write to the head organization to complain or
> someting.
> I am willing to give over authority with policites to
> protect people from people and protect land/wildlife from
> people, but a hiker should not be denied based on some
> ranger's idea of what may be too physically difficult. 
> How can they dare allow El Cap or Mt. Rainier to be
> climbed, which is tons more dangerous than hiking 25 mile
> days.  They don't deny climbing the peaks, but hiking
> around them??  Makes no sense.
>  
> Also, I guess I'm in a minority, but I think a $5,000
> fine is way too high.  Doesn't fit the crime.
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: mikey chapman <petergrubbfan at gmail.com>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 9:08 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Park Rangers
> 
> Hello All, Ive been to Yosemite at least 30 times,and 3
> of those
> times,friends who were with me were flat out abused by
> authority.
> Theres a history of overzealous Rangers there,google it. 
> Im sure it
> has something to do with the amount of idiots who are
> careless and
> lawless,but id say theres also a few bad apple
> Rangers(like any part
> of society,pct).  One thing that is crazy smart,they have
> there own
> courthouse and jail,which makes getting fined a hard
> thing to overcome
> for the unaware. They like to hold you untill your fines
> are paid,or
> untill you bond out,or you sit it out(hope for an
> O.R.,which are slim
> to none there). That includes all the goodies of real
> jail,strip
> search,bad food,and my buddy tells me you are caged like
> an
> animal,small cage like cells. Id hate to think that
> money,quotas,or
> advancement are related but........  Anyhow,be careful
> out there. Has
> anyone ever been given the $5000 fine for the no bear
> container? How
> was that handled? Oh,and alot of these offences mean
> lifetime bans to
> the park and maybe other parks. A little food for
> thought,hope you
> enjoyed.
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