Hiker rescued near Tram 7/2/14

[halhiker]

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/loc ... r.it%27%5D

[Florian]

Helicopter was doing water bucket drops west of Cornell peak and north of Tamarack valley today. No smoke was visible at midday.

-Florian

[bluerail]

Wait till you hear about him being drunk and how much he's getting fined

[Anni8]

I was on a hike today when I saw the water drops. Was he really drunk?

[guest]

The info I've gotten from a couple folks confirm he was drunk, (Jack Daniels), maybe that's why his friends separated, (too obnoxious).
Drunk fools aside, to be only 2 miles from the tram, a map & compass, or gps, would most likely get someone back, even if they had to spend the night in high 40's weather, to hike out in the morning.

As many have mentioned, when people can literally walk out the back door of tram & be in the wilderness, seems to numb some folks to the fact that they need to pay attention & be responsible adults.

The fire this yahoo started required 2 air tankers, ground crew and other resources, and actually chased suspect out of area he was in, and could easily have turned into a disaster, spoiling the opportunity for thousands of others to enjoy this forest on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Now is it any wonder that some SAR's personnel are getting tired of leaving their families, work, dumping $30-$50 in their gas tanks, and maybe even being unable to be useful at their real jobs, since they've been up all night.

This dude will be charged apparently for most of this, especially the fire suppression. I hope this makes new, so many people start to realize we can't just pick up our phones, or start a signal fire every time we're lost. Or, if you do, you may have to pay.

ss

[cynthia23]

I agree, this needs to be more widely publicized. There needs to be a deterrent of some kind to discourage these folks. I remember one time on the Round Valley trail, returning around 5 pm. from the peak, I ran into a completely hammered couple in street clothes stumbling up the trail--they asked me if they were heading back to the tram. They were so drunk they hadn't figured out they were going uphill.

Drunk and in the wilderness--not a good mix.

[physicslord]

The "signal fire" idea is very disturbing.

Here's why:

The largest fire in California state history was started by a signal fire. That person will forever live in my memory. I don't even like to mention his name.

Remember that a 280,000 acre fire, burning 3000 homes, and 1/3 of San Diego county, was started because someone was "lost". He was in no danger, and could probably have walked out.

If you think that it probably cost a hundred million dollars to fight the fire, the idea that he paid a fine of $9000 is insane. The whole event is unconscionable in my mind, and I still think about that event a lot. It ruined a beautiful forest on the slopes of Cuyamaca, and that whole area has never recovered.

[Robert Hunt]

The "signal fire" idea is very disturbing.

Here's why:

The largest fire in California state history was started by a signal fire. That person will forever live in my memory. I don't even like to mention his name.

Remember that a 280,000 acre fire, burning 3000 homes, and 1/3 of San Diego county, was started because someone was "lost". He was in no danger, and could probably have walked out.

If you think that it probably cost a hundred million dollars to fight the fire, the idea that he paid a fine of $9000 is insane. The whole event is unconscionable in my mind, and I still think about that event a lot. It ruined a beautiful forest on the slopes of Cuyamaca, and that whole area has never recovered.

I wholeheartedly agree!

[Ed]

It was that 'signal fire', the Cedar Fire, that destroyed my house. Worse yet, it killed about a dozen people in Wildcat Canyon before it made it to my area, by crossing Interstate 8 via an underpass. The fire was not tracked overnight, and the residents of Wildcat Canyon were taken by surprise during the night.

[guest]

Wow & Ed & Robert,
That really brings home the severity of this type of careless, irresponsible action.
I hope the judge & state rep prosecuting the case bring up these points!
Sometimes the only way people learn that their actions can effect many, many others lives , is to have them get hit hard, financially & possibly even having their freedom taken.

Happy Independence Day everyone!
Be safe & smart & enjoy the great outdoors!
ss