Hiking C2C soon?

[Hikin_Jim]

My $.02 is to remove them [rescue boxes]. It'll force the raiders to carry their own supply and think twice about going up there. It appears to me that those boxes are not, and have not, served thier intended purposes for several years.

Actually, I would suggest that the Rescue boxes not be removed. Stop stocking them? Yes, perhaps it's come to that. But remove? I'd say "no" and here's why: They're land marks. If nothing else, a person who calls SAR can say "I'm at Rescue 2; I'm an idiot; come get me." If it helps SAR, I'm for it.

The other thing to do is to not stock with water UNLESS it has been dyed or otherwise made unappetising. Adding dirt or yellow-green puke colored dye might be the ticket if the boxes are to continue to be stocked.

HJ

[neverwashasbeen]

Cynthia, the solo hiker rescued was the one I mentioned that was going downhill. The other two who planned on resupplying at RB 2 knew about the box, because they have done the hike before. I also heard a rumor that some legal process is being taken, but don't have any details.

[guest]

I think what may have happened with the one hiker is possibly, once she got two big, cold bottles from the couple that I taxied back, (they mentioned being very apprehensive, as I am, about giving up water, especially if your barely to Flat Rock, and you know the people have been foolish).
It was also mentioned, that this person really didn't want to have to get rescued, which makes sense they would attempt to down-climb from 7 miles up, in the heat, once they received needed fluid, but most likely we're capable.
There may have been others needing aid on the trail, not sure.

Yellow green puke water, Jim, you always have the best ideas, yummm!
You all make good points here, and this info will help make the decisions that need to be made.

I Also heard rumblings about a fine, and possibly other actions regarding Sat's rescue.
Do people consider rafting down a snow fed, class 4-5 river in the middle of winter, hoping not to capsize? Just a thought of comparison.

The trail, (route, as a few of us still like to refer to it), has just become too famous at a strange time in society, (i.e. responsibility).
Even if many are able to spread the word through the vast network of outdoor challenges, and the places. sites, info sources they visit to learn about Skyline, it just has not stopped fools, (rafting a freezing river, they just gotta try), and I'm not confident it will, by much.
If a teacher has to spend a disproportionate amount of time on a few disruptor's, the rest, who may really need help, (not that true htperthermic folks don't need serious help), eventually the system needs tweaking, for the good of the whole.

Another strange, but valid comparison; on my drive back from OC to the desert today, I was not pleases to see numerous folks texting & phone playing, at 70+ mph, many in the hammer lane. Carpool fines are over $400, what should texting fines be, (seriously, it's as bad a driving under the influence, as many studies have proven).
What's it going to take to stop these folks, $800, $1,000 fine, or maybe just some maiming & loss of bodily functions?

One last point, it was very crowded around the peak Sat, but, most of the trails around San G are closed, it's one of the bigger wkends for summer fun, it was hot & smoky below etc. (Now, let's not getting started about impact of crash pads, boulder-site use trails, and the amount of room taken up on the tramcars).

ss

[Wildhorse]

Maybe we could use water-carrying tanker drones instead of SAR crews to take water to people who run out. Drones could also find and lead lost hikers to safety. Drones could also hover around the trailhead communicating with potential hikers and trying to persuade them to turn back. The drones could follow the stubborn ones and harass them with discouraging remarks until they relent.

Just an idea.

[guest]

That's the answer Wildhorse, I love it! SAR's can be sipping a cold beverage, inside an air-conditioned command post, throwing out "dumbass barbs" vocally.
If they won't turn around, dump honey, or oil, or...cholla-balls, ouch!
Kidding aside, many here may have seen the great video on the gvmt.-type ones being tested with defib's on them.

[zippetydude]

Hilarious Wildhorse! I can just hear it:

Drone of Rudeness: Hey, you! Over there! Yeah you.
Out of Shape Hiker: What?
Drone of Rudeness: I don't think you outta be tryin' this trail. Look at you! You're outta shape. You've got a six pack of Budweiser in your pack. And you're smokin' a cigarette. BTW, why on earth are you carrying a stove and an iron skillet?
Out of Shape Hiker: Um, I'm gonna cook breakfast at the picnic tables, okay?
Drone of Rudeness: For the love of...Anyway, I noticed that, incredibly, you seem to have forgotten to pack water...or do you have plenty of water in that hump on your back? Oh, I'm sorry, that's your head, isn't it?
Out of Shape Hiker: You said that? You actually said that?
Drone of Rudeness: Well, Wildhorse told me to. In fact, I'm gonna buzz around your head like a giant annoying fly until you give up this madness. So, let's get started shall we?

I'm absolutely sure it would work.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

Maybe we could use water-carrying tanker drones instead of SAR crews to take water to people who run out. Drones could also find and lead lost hikers to safety. Drones could also hover around the trailhead communicating with potential hikers and trying to persuade them to turn back. The drones could follow the stubborn ones and harass them with discouraging remarks until they relent.

Just an idea.

Winner! Winner! Ding-ding-ding-ding!

HJ

[cynthia23]

The insulting drone is the most poetic idea yet. And if we post cameras on the trail, we could sell the videos to one of those "People doing dumb things" shows and use it to defray SAR costs.

Sadly and prosaically, though, I think it really does need to come down to either charging for rescues, or flat out seasonal closures. There are loads of warnings out there, not just on this site, and it simply hasn't done a bit of good. We can explain until we're blue in the face and a certain percentage of the population, either because they're arrogant or, er, intelligence-challenged, just isn't going to listen. There's such a thing as human nature. From NeverWas's info, the rescued people on Saturday were actually familiar with the trail. As Guest points out, people know perfectly well they shouldn't text and drive, yet every day I see someone do it. It's not until there are draconian penalties--such as there now are for driving drunk--that we'll see changed behavior. That's just the way people are. I really feel it will be the same way for Skyline. And with all due respect to my warm--hearted friend Zip (who is a good corrective to my sour personality) I think the warnings, from now on, need to be distinctly un-friendly. Someone whose 'plan' is to take water meant for emergencies is not someone who can be reasoned with.

[Perry]

That's irritating to hear that they planned to use emergency supplies. I can only imagine the effort it takes to stock the upper rescue station this time of year, and lazy people taking stuff means there may be nothing left for emergencies.

I agree that we need to start putting dirt in the water that we leave. There's been some concern mentioned in the past about the possibility of somebody getting sick from the dirt. I believe that iodine tablets would solve that potential issue. Yellow/green dye could look like a lime/lemon sports drink, or if it appears to be urine/vomit then a person in real trouble might not drink it. Fortunately, it appears that pretzels do not get raided much. I think a person in a desperate situation would eat pretzels and drink water with dirt in the bottom of the container.

[Pitownpi]

I think it really does need to come down to either charging for rescues

I couldn't agree more!
Shame/Embarrassment for southern Californians?...LMFAO!

they gots no shame but gots plenty of money!

Money or Litigation is the only thing that gets people's attention in this state!

Despise Drones...disturbing the peace/quiet/privacy.....crashing on my vehicles...
can't see ever using them effectively/safely to deliver packages or H20 to people.
the only drones that could do it are far more expensive than sending people, ie GPS guidance, CAMs, et. al.
$1000's of $$

'kids'....you can't just put a water bottle onto any ole drone you fly around the yard...and fly it miles away up thousands of feet in elevation! still laughing my fanny off