| Page 1255 | National Parks Traveler

I'm the son of Nancy Maltez, the woman who fell. In response to your comment of "irresponsible hikers," I just thought you should know that my family grew up on these trails. I'm only 15 and I've been on Angel's Landing about 8 times. My mother has traveled the world and has been to at least 15 national parks in the U.S. My mother was the most careful person and hiker.

Reader Participation Day Bonus Survey: Should Border Security Trump Wilderness, Endangered Species?

Apr 18th - 23:12pm | Julie Kay Smithson

Mike Dubrasich said it perfectly. The only thing I can add is that Kris Eggle, a National Park Service employee, was killed by being innocently caught in the crossfire at Organ Pipe on August 9th, 2002: www [dot] kriseggle [dot] org, just a week short of his 29th birthday.

Apr 18th - 20:37pm | Mike Dubrasich

Wilderness designation along the Mexican border is entirely inappropriate. Natural resources can be protected without wilderness designation, and in fact designation is quite harmful to wildlife in most cases. Responsible management is preferable to the hands-off-do-nothing approach of wilderness.

Apr 16th - 13:35pm | Random Walker

Mexico Builds Border Wall To Keep Out U.S. A$$holes

Apr 16th - 12:05pm | Rick Smith

Anon of 5/16--

Apr 16th - 09:27am | Rick B.

They trried a fence with those sorts of rules in Berlin. It eventually came down. What a wonder that such compassionate comments were left here anonymously, eh?

Apr 16th - 05:17am | Anonymous

I think we need a different kind of fence like that at overseas locations. 2 rows of chain link 10 feet apart topped with razor wired and the space between planted with land mines. In addition we need to allow a shoot to kill order for tresspassers carrying guns and drug packs. Kill a few and publicize the action and eventually they will get the hint to stay on their side.

Apr 15th - 18:52pm | Barky

With the uber-violence in Mexico (I believe there have been 23,000 folks murdered in just the last couple of years), this is no longer just an immigration, "ew, those unclean Mexicans" issue. This is now a serious and quite deadly situation. I do say the Roosevelt Easement is good enough still, but we can't simply dismiss concerns about our southern border anymore.

Apr 15th - 16:16pm | S Nicol

As for the first comment about a buffer zone that the Border Patrol can use, they have one. It is known as the Roosevelet easement (or reservation, depending on the reference), and it is a 60 foot wide strip along the border from the Pacific to El Paso set aside for border security. The Border Patrol has carte blanche there.

Apr 15th - 15:14pm | y_p_w

My understanding is that the Border Patrol does have horseback patrols and does use them in mountainous areas where motor vehicles may be ineffective and possibly destructive to the wilderness setting. They've also got helicopters, which are generally accepted in/over wilderness areas if there are emergency reasons, such as a search and rescue or law enforcement.

Apr 15th - 14:05pm | Anonymous

While it is essential to keep an eye on the nearly ENTIRE country of Mexico, that want's to come to the US, we must do it in ways that are less harmful to our wilderness. Like actually sending illegal's back and monitoring them. Like a tag in the ear or toe, Fish & Game do it...

Blind Hiker Trevor Thomas Tackles Pacific Crest Trail One Step At A Time

Apr 18th - 16:56pm | sandy

i am also disabled, although i have my sight. This story is inspirational. I have just gotten back into hiking after a 30 yr hiatus due to chronic pain. I like to hike in alight rain. I love the smells, textures of the moss and lichen. I take my time and don't worry about getting to the top or if there will be a view.

Jane Goodall, Tom Mangelsen Choose Hope Over Spite

Apr 18th - 08:32am | Barky

Great story, properly told. My only fear lies in the statement "Intelligent people refuse to accept this false dichotomy. Most realize that these issues are far more complicated." Based on the level of discourse in this country (about damned well near everything), intelligence is in short demand, and the "either/or [name calling] proposition" reigns supreme.

Ranger Confidential, Living, Working, and Dying In the National Parks

Apr 18th - 07:08am | Connie Hopkins

I just thought I should clarify the incident I referred to. I actually was very nice to the afore-mentioned European tourists when I mentioned to them that climbing over the fence was prohibited because of the damage it can cause to the shallow root system of the General Sherman tree.

Apr 17th - 20:17pm | Lee Dalton

Good for you, RangerLady. That's the kind of attitude that helps make NPS the great organization it is. Oft times the best law enforcement -- especially in parks where the environment is so foreign to so many visitors -- is just a dose of simple education with perhaps just a small dash of humor.

Apr 17th - 18:53pm | fortchoteau

The stories we could tell:):)

Apr 17th - 10:15am | RangerLady

Connie, I learned my people management skills not from the NPS, but from working the customer service desk at Wally World. After 5 years of being hit with merchandise, spit on, and cussed at I figured I oculd handle anything! So now even the stupidist person seems like a "walk in the park."

Apr 17th - 06:32am | Connie Hopkins

I know for a fact I would not make a good Ranger. I have low, no make that ZERO tolerance, for rude and inconsiderate people! Frequenting the National Parks as much as we do, we see our fair share of stupidity and defiance. It really gets under my skin when people don't obey signs or act carelessly with our wild places.

Apr 16th - 19:52pm | Pookha

Thanks for posting this. I would like to read the book.

Apr 16th - 19:10pm | Anonymous

"The current Stratton is based on the original Stetson design, isn't it? Forgive me for not giving the current supplier proper credit." To give the current supplier any credit at all would be unforgivable, believe me.

Apr 16th - 17:47pm | NPSfan

The current Stratton is based on the original Stetson design, isn't it? Forgive me for not giving the current supplier proper credit.

Apr 16th - 17:41pm | y_p_w

NPSfan: On April 16th, 2010 It is indeed a thing of personal pride to wear the NPS shield and stetson. Isn't it a "campaign hat", with the current contract from the Stratton Hat Company? http://www.strattonhats.com/f44nps.html

Apr 16th - 14:46pm | NPSfan

It is indeed a thing of personal pride to wear the NPS shield and stetson. For me that pride provides a sense of self-worth I could find no where else in the workplace.

National Park Service in Alaska Takes Steps To Counter State's Approach to Wildlife Management

Apr 17th - 07:15am | Shirley

I find that those who live in the area and don't benefit (i.e. money/paycheck/income) often have a pretty good understanding of what the real issue is. I'm not one of them but this whole presentation doesn't add up. The only thing I can equate it to is some of what has gone on other places. The natural process of man was to wipe out alpha predators because they were a threat to him.

Apr 16th - 09:03am | Anita Walsh

I am so glad the Parks are taking this stance, but I have to agree with crystalwolf ! If the numbers are low, why allow any taking at all ?

Reader Participation Survey: Which National Park Has the Best Wildflower Blooms?

Apr 16th - 21:17pm | Sharlene

As much as I love the desert during wildflower season, I have seen few things more incredible than Logan's Pass carpeted with wildflowers.

Apr 15th - 14:28pm | Anonymous

Cedar Breaks National Monument is an often overlooked site but it is an absolute treasure. We visited in the summer of 2009 during their wildflower festival. I've posted some pictures on the flickr site of some of our favorite flowers we saw during our visit.

Condor Chick is First to Hatch at Pinnacles National Monument in Over a Century

Apr 16th - 14:17pm | Jean Cox

Please keep us informed of progress.

Apr 15th - 21:55pm | y_p_w

Well I guess I mentioned something about this earlier, so I'll repeat my previous comment. 317 and 318 looks like a nice couple, don't they. Well at least as far as condors go.

Apr 15th - 18:54pm | Barky

Wow, amazing!! This is such a great story of fulfilling the NPS' total mission. Pinnacles was really set aside to preserve a fascinating volcanic remnant, but they also found another purpose for it. It's a great example of showing that everything (even volcanoes and condors) are connected.

Plan To Visit Capitol Reef National Park During Harvesttime!

Apr 16th - 13:49pm | Anonymous

We visited Capital Reef in the summer of 2008 and loved it! We had hoped to pick peaches but by noon they were already gone (get there early!!). We were able to pick apples, though, and had so much fun. Fresh fruit always tastes so much better. Don't forget to stop by the Historic Gifford Farmhouse as they make fresh fruit pies and they are delicious! Pictures will be on flickr soon!

Apr 16th - 12:01pm | RangerLady

The apricots are blooming right now and they're beautiful! Things are running a little behind schedule due to the bad winter, but it does look like we'll have a good fruit year. As the time approches, you can call the park and go through the automated system to reach the fruit updates. We update them daily so you can plan when to come picking!

Apr 16th - 12:01pm | Rich Deline

Nice tidbit of information...makes one consider when to go to optimize the experience

Is San Juan National Historic Site Haunted?

Apr 16th - 08:38am | Dave Mora

Don't forget San Geronimo, where you can see the dog of stone waiting for his master's return. Its at the end of Condado. Unfortunately it is small and in ruins.

Interpretation Of Civil War's Impact Deepens at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

Apr 16th - 05:08am | JeffSmith

Thanks CWB, but I remain convinced that the NPS could have found a family in the state in which the battlefield is situated.

What Do You Think About Sightseeing Tours Circling Mount Rainier National Park?

Apr 15th - 19:51pm | Anonymous

What I remember was how clear and how many the stars at night were as I reached the top. The unique quite at night is something to listen for, and keeps me coming.

America The Beautiful Federal Lands Pass: How's The Revenue Flow?

Apr 15th - 17:41pm | Anonymous

Over 60 milliondollers. Standard procedure. We aren't intelegent enough to catch it. Its those babby boomers. They must pay!

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Apr 15th - 17:24pm | Anonymous

I hope this bill passes and is the start of a full ban of exotic imports and captive breeding. I volunteer at a humane society that deals mainly with unwanted reptiles. If any of you saw the condition that some of these reptiles come in it would make you sick. People breed these animals because its easy and because they think they can make money.

By the Numbers: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Apr 15th - 16:53pm | justinh

Rangertoo, Thanks for the link. This developer's non-sequitur response to the issue is a bit baffling: "I'm a private property advocate and a capitalist, for which I would never apologize."

Apr 15th - 16:48pm | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for the headsup, Rangertoo. I suspect that many Traveler readers will be surprised to learn that it is apparently perfectly legal to build a 25,000 square-foot mansion on the highest, most visible tract of land in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Apr 15th - 13:56pm | Rangertoo

Check out this story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/developer-tom-chapman-pla_n_538...

Sections of Pacific Crest Trail Poached by Mountain Bikers; Could Problems Arise in National Parks?

Apr 15th - 15:50pm | Anonymous

That was NOT a silly comment at all. The PCT is bone dry just about whenever it is snow free. With the exception of a week or two after snowmelt and perhaps on the late fall the trail is mostly bare, dry, and perfect for cycling. Lets not even BEGIN to pretend that horses do not damage the trail. I am not an equestrian, but I have seen much evidence of trails damaged by horses.

Listen to the Interview: National Park Service Appoints Gerard Baker Assistant Director of American Indian Relations

Apr 15th - 14:54pm | Anonymous

While this is a good move, it should be noted that the NPS has had a Native American liasion position in the Director's office for many years. This is a new title, but the assignment is the same. We should not discount the work done by previous American Indian NPS employees who held that post.

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