It's one thing to have to be rescued by National Park Service rangers when fate doesn't go your way, but to need a rescue after you mocked and ignored a ranger's advice, well, that's pretty brazen-faced.
But that's what happened Monday at Zion National Park, where rangers actually were called out on two search-and-rescue incidents in the Left Fork of North Creek, on a popular permitted route known as “The Subway”.
"One group disregarded and mocked a ranger’s advice when they picked up their permit. The ranger recommended they bring a rope and multiple harnesses for at least one of the rappels, but the leader of the group, who had been there before, said that they could cross the log and find an easier way down," a park release said Tuesday. "When the ranger reported that the log was washed out last year and recommended the gear, the group dismissed the information and left.
"Later, rangers received a report that a member of the group had a knee injury at the top of the last rappel," the release went on. "Since the log that made it easier to cross the creek was gone, members were making a 6-to-7 foot jump. One person had landed badly. A medic and two others responded and spent Monday night with the patient. A helicopter from the Grand Canyon was brought in for a short-haul operation Tuesday morning."
The other incident involved a group that park rangers said made poor decisions, wore the wrong footwear, and lost the route several times.
"After getting lost early in the day, they reached the Subway feature late Sunday night and spent an unexpected night in the canyon," the park reported. "In the morning, they got lost again, passing the exit route, and continuing downstream. At some point they decided to try to climb a cliff face to reach the road. When heat exhaustion set in, they activated their emergency locator and reported a heat related illness. SAR responders were able to locate the group. After administering fluids, rangers assisted the group back to the trailhead."
Zion Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh urged park visitors to appreciate the settings they find themselves in.
“Visitors need to take their safety seriously and act responsibly,” he said. “Park Rangers are here to advise and assist visitors planning challenging trips in the backcountry, but ultimately preparations and proper equipment is the visitor’s responsibility. Given the number of fires throughout the West and the assignment of aviation assets to them, it was fortunate that the Grand Canyon helicopter was able to respond quickly and that the first group had an emergency beacon, but that is not always the case. Please prepare carefully and plan ahead for unexpected events that might occur in this wonderful, but at times, unforgiving landscape.”
Comments
Stop with the "NPS should charge these people" comments. First of all, charging people results in delayed calls for help, which means rescuers face even more precarious situations when time is shorter. We already have delayed response problems because people fear being billed. Secondly, yes they disregarded advice...as does almost everyone who needs a rescue. Simply overestimating your abilities is disregarding well known advice of "know your limitations." This article is useful for educating people, but it sounds like the rangers' spokesperso needs a little PIO training. Mocking persons that need rescue delays calls for help, and his attitude does little to prevent the next occurrence.
Then Anthony, you pay for it. I see no reason why I should pay for other peoples bad decisions.
Because that is the way a mature and caring civilization works.
If I'm in charge of rescue we're gonna rescue everyone, and those bean counters with no soul can go ahead and figure out how to safeguard your personal nickel.
The most recent one I was involved with, just a couple of days ago, was a fatality. You'll forgive me, Buck, if I don't give a flying leap at a donut what you have to say on the subject.
Well Rick, it would seem you do care since you respond to every post. A mature and caring civilization doesn't reward bad behavior.
"Once again why should the American taxpayer subsidize bad decisions? It seems to be a standard theme in the liberal thought process."
Only if it were so. Makes me think of Trump, giving tax breaks for the wealthy. What we should be doing is making the 1% pay more, not giving them tax breaks.
Argalite - why should the 1% pay more. They already pay 40% of all federal income taxes and more than the bottom 90% combined. In fact, why should they pay a penny more than you?
EC, you ask why the 1% should pay more in federal income taxes. Since the top .1% owns as much wealth as the bottom 90% combined, I think they can easily afford that penny more than Argalite and myself.
So Brian, when you go to lunch with your friends does your richest friend pay 90% of the bill? Should the 1% pay more for gas? More for a loaf of bread? What is the point of making more money if you just have to pay more? Its not a question of afford, it is a question of equity. BTW the US poverty line is 6x the median income of the rest of the world. Are you ready to start sending your money overseas? By world standards, you can afford it.