tram station leaving people to die

[Andy]

and for a less-than-tasteful take on the event..
Its too bad the guy/girl ratio was so far off...would have made for less awkward snuggling. Think of the end of Spies Like Us.

[cynthia23]

Ha ha Andy! Yeah, I did wonder why those that had blankets didn't share ...

Overall I agree with Ze. As I said before, I understand PSAT and the rangers don't want to encourage irresponsible hikers to take risks because they (the silly hikers) think they'll be able to shelter in the tram/ranger station as a back-up plan. But these hikers weren't irresponsible, just unlucky, and the ranger's actions seem at best punitive, at worst ill-considered and dangerous. Really, someone could have been hurt/made ill. Yes, that's a risk you take when you're out in the woods, but they weren't out in the woods, they were back in 'civilization' and for no good reason, they were kept outside in freezing temperatures all night. The basic question is, why? Why put people at risk for no real reason?

And I just don't buy the ranger saying, "but I didn't know those people, and there are guns in there!" stuff. I know that formally it's a law enforcement area, but come on! It's a ratty old cabin in the woods, not Fort Apache the Bronx! What, the ranger thought that in the middle of the night some old lady hiker is gonna draw down on him and order him to give up his S'mores? People were gonna tie him up, grab the stash of rifles and demand a helicopter out of there?? Puhleeze. You had a group of scared middle-class middle-aged people who were so law-abiding they wouldn't even break a window. The claim that it was a safety issue is ludicrous. Law enforcement officers rightfully want to protect themselves, but they also have a duty to help people at risk of injury or harm. I think these people qualified, and I think PSAT screwed up.

Edit: on second thought--to be fair--maybe the ranger's concern was not about his personal safety, but about the overall safety of the tram station. I know that since 9/11 everyone is very jumpy about security of tourist spots, and I'm sure every law enforcement person's nightmare is being the one who is careless and unintentionally lets some group of wackos do something terrible. I'm saying maybe this is like the TSA guys who insist on strip-searching the 90 year old in Depends because they don't want to make a terrible mistake. I guess he could have thought that for all he knew they were a group of terrorists who were going to seize the tram station and shoot RPG's down Chino Canyon. Still, unless the ranger's station has shoulder fired missiles in its gun rack, I still can't see this as rational.

[Blooty]

I have to agree with WB and KW, there was a storm in the forecast... Imagine this group out somewhere else - they wouldn't have even the shed perchance... lesson learned should be to always go prepared in winter to bivy because you never know when you might get stuck.

[bluerail]

Tracie!!!!! Nice to see you come over here...be careful, were talkin terrorists stuff and all.

Sunday was lots of fun, I imagine Talus is ready to go again?

[hvydrt]

I think everyone made the right decisions. People always want to blame someone but sometimes shit happens and you just have to deal with it.

[cynthia23]

Shit happens?

Everyone didn't make the right decisions. In fact, everyone involved made the wrong decisions, from the hiking group to PSAT. But I agree it's probably pointless to hash it out any more on here ...but next time I take the tram up, I'm gonna think twice ...

[Zé]

I love simplistic "personal responsibility" responses. No shit. Most people know it, and expect it of others. Well thought out point of view. Who needs critical thinking when you can always just come back to that? Why even respond.

Shit happens. People aren't always smart. Companies screw them over. Maybe kill them via incompetence. Maybe people you know. Oh well, life goes on, right?

Cavemen, you live in a "society" now. One where personal and corporate responsibility are expected.

[hvydrt]

People aren't always smart. Companies screw them over. Maybe kill them via incompetence.

Are you living in a tent at city hall?

The tram closed. The ranger stayed to help those that were still out. He found them shelter, gave them blankets. The hikers made do with what they had. WTF do you want? The manager of the PSAT hung in public? A congressional hearing? Maybe we need legislation requiring tram operators to provide warm meals and 900 fill sleeping bags in an emergency. Maybe a law requiring hikers to obtain a state license to walk on the trail (with a helmet of course)

[neverwashasbeen]

Corporate responsibility, now that's funny!

[bluerail]

if only I were so lucky Joe....but I do keep looking for a nice cave.

one with wi fi

Im not really arguing one way or another, and when you brought up the issue of it being "your kids" in the situation....I cringed...

Yea, I'd be completely pissed if something happened to one of my kids and i felt it was someone elses responsibility.....but I also hope my kids have it in them to self rescue ( as these guys pretty much did )......in a sense Joe, isnt there a primal drive in us that wants to be a good cavemen on a certain level ?