[pct-l] Wheels in Wilderness Areas

[Steve Rolfe]

I'm not a hunter, but they surely could be used for that purpose.  The wheel
is an add-on accessory to either a standard evacuation litter, or a toboggan
used by ski patrols to evacuate injured skiers.  In the case of the toboggan
it is a special design that splits in two so it can be carried in parts by
backpack.  

However, while hiking the PCT from Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, last
fall, we happened by a group of hunters coming in with their supplies on
horseback.  The horses dropped off their stuff and left with the intention
of coming back several days later to pick them up.  I'm sure the horses
would be used to take out any game they shot.

The next morning as we walking out of our camp we ran into a hunter with a
high powered rifle looking across the valley.  I couldn't resist, so as I
got close to him I loudly said, "There are two things I don't like about
hunting."  The hunter looked at me not particularly perturbed, but my hiking
partner was astonished and something like, "OK, it's time we get moving."
I'm sure he thought one should not insult someone with a rifle. Not to be
daunted I said, "The first thing is would hate to clean the animal."
Without missing a beat the hunter responded with, "and the second thing is
carrying it out."  We both laughed.  My partner didn't think it was funny.

-----Original Message-----
From: JPL [mailto:jplynch at crosslink.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 1:59 PM
To: Eric Lee; 'Steve Rolfe'; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Wheels in Wilderness Areas

I think I've seen those wheeled "litters" on the edge of wilderness areas. 
Are they sometimes used to carry game out?

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Lee
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 4:35 PM
To: 'Steve Rolfe' ; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Wheels in Wilderness Areas

Steve wrote:
>
When I was in Search and Rescue we used wheeled litters for carrying out
injured people.  There was one big fairly heavy bicycle wheel under the
middle of the sled.  It took some effort to learn to manage on steep trails,
but it beat the heck out of 6 people carrying by hand which we also did in
some conditions.  By the way it takes 24 people to carry someone out in four
groups of 6 changing groups every five minutes or less.

I don't ever remember having a discussion about whether they were legal or
not.
>

That's because they're covered under the "measures required in emergencies
involving the health and safety of persons within the area" clause of the
Wilderness Act.

You can also fly a medical evacuation helicopter into a wilderness area if
the health and safety of persons within the area require it.

Eric

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