tram station leaving people to die

[jfr]

Here's what the large sign on the trail just outside the upper tram station looks like:



Since they all survived the night, we can surmise that they were fairly well prepared, and surely must have read the sign. Thank goodness the sign was there!


And, just to keep the pot boiling on this thread:

The last time I looked, there were several ways to hike down off the mountain. In fact, I've hiked several of them. The tram isn't really as necessary as they are making it out to be. Not only that, but hiking would have kept them warm...

And, just to really overboil the pot: I think what really annoyed them was that the ranger was warm and comfy and wouldn't share his precious heater, or fix them a piping hot meal, or let them sleep in his nice warm bed. How could he have been so heartless? What a meanie!

But enough humor. I think that they made the best decision by sticking together as a group and toughing it out in the shed; hiking out to Idyllwild or down Skyline during a storm would have been madness, especially after hiking to the peak and back that day. I'm glad that they all survived, and have a great story to tell. I hope that one of them posts a decent trip report here on the forum. I'd love to read it.

[zippetydude]

Actually, you make a pretty good point there. If I'd gotten back down to the tram at 2:00 or 3:00 and the tram had been closed, I'd have gone down Skyline instead of staying the night. Yes, it would have been wild and windy, but it would have been fun. I wonder if some people did that and we just haven't heard from them?

z

[bluerail]

Ok...hiking out ? that would have been a tough hall for some....going down skyline or out to Idy. could have created other problems...It seems at this point, its best to look at it like everyone made the best choices.

Bart : "It's a security concern," Grant said. "I'm a law enforcement officer. I'm armed. I don't know who these people are. And we keep weapons in the station."

I agree.

Same with the tram and concession property. It's their property and their employees they have to consider....stuff was already breaking, power lines going down...a helipad even got blown off.

The group, I'm sure, made many decisions and went through some
thought processes that were beyond what they normally deal with...a tough situation and you think on a level you dont usually get to deal with...and they apparently did just fine. (although I imagine very fucking cold)
Many people over many years have spent crappy ass nights in worse situations than in a mule shed on that hill...ask Ellen Coleman..and countless others in the past i'm sure.

It's a mountain, it's an adventure, everyones safe,maybe it's time to just smile and grow from it.

btw..at 7 o'clock tonight there were people at 6000 feet ( flatrock), no water, no food, no LIGHTS.....rmru is looking to go down and bivy with them tonight. brrrrrr.

[halhiker]

btw..at 7 o'clock tonight there were people at 6000 feet ( flatrock), no water, no food, no LIGHTS.....rmru is looking to go down and bivy with them tonight. brrrrrr.

How in hell did they get there? You'd think at some point someone would have the common sense to turn around.

[bluerail]

no kidding, either a very late start or a very very long day, being outta food and water makes it seem like a long day. to end up at flatrock in the dark without any lights ? now that is screwing up.

hope theyre ok.

[OtherHand]

A slightly more in-depth version of the story with a few more details and comments from the PSAT:

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2012012 ... hiker-says

[Lcpl Hughes]

They definitely should just chock it up as an adventure..thats what is all about anyway..
Danny and I spent the night a few years ago in January about 3 ridges over from the tram station cause we ended up kinda lost on our first winter trip but to this day, I think back and think what a great adventure and lesson..hopefully they will think the same..

[Zé]

yeah the title is certainly hyperbole, sorry about that

Why in the hell would any hiker / tourist know that the Tram (without any warning) would lock them out? That's not a common assumption. If the tram gave warning, that's one thing. But it doesn't seem like there was.

sure, everything ended up okay. but i'm just thinking, what if it hadn't? what if someone got hypothermia? I don't know, maybe its an outlandish thought. Would the Tram have made decisions differently if it was 10 degrees cooler? Where is the threshold?

Personal responsibility is obvious. People make mistakes. Yes they should pay for them. Some suffering, some money, but usually as a society we withhold severe suffering and death. What if your kid made the same mistake? Went up for a hike, came back and the tram was closed. Ranger wouldn't let them crash in the heated room and left them to figure it out on there own. They die overnight in 20 degree weather. You really gonna say they deserved it?

[asabat]

I mean I cannot buy a ticket on a bus to Las Vegas and blame the bus if I got mugged in the city can I? I mean the bus DID take me there so it has to be their fault? ...

I don't disagree with closing down the tram for wind, but do not agree with the bus analogy. Getting mugged in the city, or getting lost in the woods, is not the bus operator's fault. But not getting you back home on the bus is, at least to some degree.

Take an airline as an example. If they are to fly me from here to there, but weather delays them, they have to take care of me until they can fly me again. At a minimum, I have an airport to sleep in.

The difference between this and the typical late returning hiker is the hikers did arrive before the posted closing time.

I'm glad they're all right. Hopefully things will go better if there's a next time though.

[bluerail]

Horse and mule bed and breakfast .....coming soon