Hikers behaving badly: Appalachian Trail partying raises ire

[guest]

Interesting article on what is a growing problem in many wilderness areas.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/30/hi ... tcmp=hpbt4

Like Skyline, some bad apples could spoil the whole area for general use.

I think this holds true to a certain extent on Skyline as well.
Fortunately, I still get a good feeling from the vast majority of folks using the San Jacintos, but Joshua Tree is a different animal.

Maybe some of the social media helping fuel this increase in outdoor use, & subsequent bad behavior, could be used to curb it?

There could be a "Video of Shame in Wilderness" website to post bad behavior vids of folks, (liability and all). In some cases, where laws are being broken, park officials might appreciate it, if the location can be verified.

ss

[Wildhorse]

The New York Times has a related story today. The headline is: As Hikers Celebrate on Appalachian Trail, Some Ask: Where Will it End?

In the New York Times version, the state park rangers are also behaving badly. It seems that they fined the marathon runner Jurek for having too large of a party (16 people, 4 more than the law allows), for drinking alcohol (a bottle of champagne) and for littering (spilling champaign when the cork blew off.) The fines total $600. The rangers were waiting for the chance, it seems, to send a message to partiers. After issuing the tickets, the Park Director shamed Jurek on Facebook. Now this matter is headed to court, unless the prosecutor finds a way out.

The Fox News story appears to come from associated press, including the headline.

The New York Times article and headline address the growing question, "Where will it end?" On the one hand, the question means where the Appalachian Trail may end, if not at Katajdin. On the other hand, it raises the question: where will the conflict over the way people use and abuse wilderness areas end.

I have seen the same conflicts in the San Jacintos. Larger ones have involved big horn sheep and a wetland area. Smaller ones happen frequently and are just not so well known. Rangers seem to have a long battle with partiers in the San Jacintos too. Some seem to be effectively at war with hikers. At the same time, many hikers and other trail users seem to live in a state of denial, not conceding our own part in causing harm to wilderness.

I remember leading a group from a hiking club on a cross country hike in the wilderness. I have regretted that trip, and have never repeated the mistake. I realized during that hike that the hiking club was social club that liked to party in wilderness. Being of a deep ecological mind and heart, I felt awful to have led that group into a wild and fragile place with such meaning.

I don't sympathize with the ranger actions at Katahdin, even while I share their feelings about wilderness. It seems that they made a mess here. I don't sympathize with Jurek either, even while I am amazed at his accomplishment. I wish he had partied at home, instead of on Katahdin. This was just one of many minor incidents that represent in their totality a significant abuse of wilderness.

BTW, this story was headlined at the bottom of the front page of the Sunday NYT. Wow. Concerns about wilderness deserve such prominence.

[guest]

Interesting stuff Wildhorse, I didn't know about the other articles.

I have similar feelings about wilderness conduct. How much should folks be "allowed" to enjoy themselves in nature, with what type of conduct etc.
Large groups over-running camping areas, kids & adults yelling, (we've most likely all done this a bit when younger & fairly normal), graffiti, dmamding of natural, cultural, historic resources, folks posting gps tracks to the most remote & fragile spots, drones, and so one.

For me, a take-away from much of this is; to what extent do we do what we want & behave how we want, while being conscious & respectful of the rest in the wilderness.
I've also done a few things like you mentioned, that I wish I had not, (good lessons for sure), and now have a deeper sense of preservation & protection of our wild places, locally & beyond.

It does seem the need for rules & policing is necessary to maintain a certain level of peace & to protect the pristine areas.
But I also believe we need to be able to enjoy & commune with these wild places, mostly unhampered by over regulation.

Hopefully some real good will come from this increased awareness of what's happening.

ss

[cynthia23]

Thanks for posting this, Guest. I had read the original article in the NYT and thought it had some interesting points. One of them was another hiker pointing out that Jurek's 'fantastic' speed record on the AT was like rushing through a great museum in a minute and a half. Is it really something to celebrate or admire? I think part of the problem arises when people bring a competitive, ego-based mindset to the wilderness, in which their primary goal is not to 're-create' but to WIN something. Many of us want to challenge ourselves physically (because, I've learned, if you're not moving forward physically, you're usually falling behind ) but when it is carried into a public realm, for fame and fortune and sponsorships, a bad energy seems to follow behind. I know no harm of Jurek and it seems the ranger over-reacted to him personally, but after all, that ranger probably lives in and knows his wilderness area in a very deep way, while Jurek is literally just blowing through, a media entourage in tow. Who loves and cares for that area more? I think we all know the answer is the grumpy ranger, not Jurek.

[Wildhorse]

That analogy, racing through the museum, is really great. It expresses the absurdity of Jurek's accomplishment, from an ecological perspective. It devastates Jurek's accomplishment much more than the petty law enforcement actions of the state park officials did.

On the one hand, this article is good pr for the cause of the deep ecology minded wilderness advocates. That may be the reason the rangers, and state park director, targeted Jurek. They have deep ecological concerns (as Cynthia noted) and they expected press. They even used social media to drive home their point, to shame Jurek. On the other hand, I think this is bad pr for the rangers. What has worked for Earth First and Sea Shepherds, does not work for the government because the government has so much power and uses violence far in excess of that used by radical environmentalists and animal liberators, who are mostly nonviolent, at least towards humans, and who have very little power or money. In addition, what Jurek did is extremely minor compared to the damage to the land and the cruelty to animals caused by organizations that are backed by the government. Law enforcement loses its ethos when cops and rangers use their authority inappropriately. Based on what the NYT reports, that appears to be what happened here.

Aside from the ecological concerns, I think Jurek's physical accomplishment is great. If only I could be so fit.

Another note. The NYT article seems to imply that the State Park is as much puritanical in its concerns as it is ecological. The state park director seems to be quite perturbed by drinking, nudity, and marijuana, along with congregating and making noise. The state park officials seem to have a tut-tut disposition.

And one more note: Today's Katahdin seems to be nothing like Thoreau's Ktaadn. It is a different terror now. Thoreau would surely be repulsed. I had hoped to visit there someday. Now, I know I won't bother.

[guest]

Wildhorse, just go on a "bad weather" day, almost all the yahoos will be gone.

I think the rangers we're pushing back a bit, (as the pendulum swings), from many folks considering wilderness as strictly a playground.
Since Wild came out, (now Redfords, Walk in the Woods, which looks pretty good), to base-jumping, 60 min. pieces on folks like Alex Honnold, Dean Potter & many folks are unaware, or just unconscious about respect & reverence for the magic there inhabiting.

Maybe this isn't the best way to attempt to educate folks about behavior in a wilderness, but, like you guys mentioned, good social media ops don't come around often. Yeah, there's backlash, but if the rangers go too easy on gatherings, parties etc. we know what can happen.

BTW Cynthia, I'm afraid some of these partiers goal IS to "re-create", (what better place I guess....).

ss

[Wildhorse]

Guest- thanks for a great idea. Bad weather day, like Thoreau did.

[guest]

Hi WH,
I really like Thoreau, but have read little, what do you recommend that relates to this area, or other outdoor musings?

[zippetydude]

Um...can we back up a little?

I don't know Scott Jurek. I don't know why he runs trails. But I do know one trail runner very well. He's not very fast. He's not particularly fond of running. But he's very fond of nature. Outrageously, uncontrollably, unreasonably enamored of wild places. Yes, you clever reader, it's me. I began trailrunning because I had a loving family at home that I couldn't bear to miss all day every Saturday, but I had an irresistible call of the wild competing with my love for my family. So, I began to run instead of hike. It let me switch from hiking up to Poopout Hill, or maybe Dry Lake on a good day, to going up over the top of San G and exploring the entire wilderness without neglecting my family. Believe it or not, I still caught some flack for "being gone all day" even though I got home by 10 or 11 in the morning every time. Still, I had to go. It was only after a couple of years of trailrunning that I found out that other people did it as well. I have run a few Ultramarathons, but not competitively. My favorite thing about them is the culture - a sign at the OTHTC 50k a couple years back said this, "Start out slow...........then ease back." It's mostly about sharing the trail with other enthusiasts. There are some crazy fast runners, but I don't resent them. I applaud them. They have the same love of nature as I do, and a lot more running talent. This is a bad thing?

Now, I have to confess, there is something different and fun about running that I grew to love. When you get to the top of a mountain and realize you have a long day ahead to get back to the car, that's daunting. Once your body gets used to running, and you know you're only a couple hours from the car - and a cold beer - and maybe 2 1/2 hours from holding your kooky little 3 year old in your arms while she observes "Ew, Daddy, you're salty!" as she looks at your tired but satisfied face, it's hard to go back to the old way of doing things. There's not a lot of ego involved. But, in the interest of full disclosure, I admit that Cynthia does have a point. When you pass someone on the way down the mountain and they cheer for you, you think highly of them for being so encouraging and positive. But there's a little ego boost as well. I've never been fast and will never win a race, even a 5k, but having someone (anyone!) cheer for you is a cool part of being a human being and I'm not sorry for it - I love our interaction and ability to raise each other up as a species. Who else can do that?

As far as Jurek, he's got a stellar resume. For any doubters about my humble beginnings, here's a quote from Wiki about him: "Raised in Proctor, Minnesota,[7] Jurek is of part Polish descent.[5] He is the son of Lynn (Swapinski) and Gordon Jurek.[8][9] His childhood involved a strong connection with nature developed through hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. Scott began trail running as a child but did not run long distances until his sophomore year in high school when he started cross training with running to prepare for Nordic skiing. Although he hated running at first,[6] after spending summers running on trails with ski poles, he found a new passion for trail running. On a challenge from training partner Dusty Olson, Scott ran the Minnesota Voyageur 50 Mile in 1994, placing second in his first attempt at an ultramarathon, without even having run a marathon in training."

Okay, if I was that fast I would have been thrilled and pushed myself to the absolute limit to find out just what I had. Again, who else can do that? Isn't that just us as humans? Remember, if you respond to this, you've probably done Skyline, so you have no defense! JK, my friends, but you are achievers and overcomers, and you do that for fun. I admire that in you, just like I do in Jurek.

BTW, what do you make of this? "He is also known, however, for keeping a lighthearted attitude towards racing. He often screams loudly at the beginning of each race, rolls over finish lines, and sometimes launches into kung fu leaps into aid stations mid-race.[10] After finishing races, he frequently remains at the finish line for hours to cheer for later finishers.[24]"

If I were faster, I would do the same. In short, I think the rangers picked a horrible choice of a person to prove their point. How about citing a bunch of drunks sitting in lounge chairs getting loud and ugly? How about catching some jerks raiding rescue boxes just for the sheer malice of it? But a guy who loves the wilderness, who is amazingly fast and still an encouraging and worthwhile human being getting cited for minor infractions to make him an example? Okay, rangers, why not just admit it? It was a reasonable thought that didn't pan out? Truth be told, about 50% of my decisions in life are roughly that accurate! Admit you're wrong, explain the real problem, and grow from the experience! And buy Jurek a cold beer or a glass of champagne as a toast to his love of nature and of pushing himself to his limits...and to staying in the finishing chute hours at a time congratulating others...which is to me perhaps his greatest accomplishment.

z

[Wildhorse]

Guest - I have especially enjoyed Thoreau's account of climbing Ktaadn in his book The Maine Woods. I enjoy his description of Maine in 1846 and of his experience on Ktaadn. I especially enjoy the final climb to the summit. I have also enjoyed reading Walden and excerpts from his journals in anthologies and on the internet.

Zippetydude - I believe your assessment of Jurek is right, and certainly your own account of running in the wild establishes that our relationship with the natural world is not impaired by running through it. A friend of mine rides his bike in the wild wherever he can. I have ridden with him on Old 38. He has been a racer, but now, while still in elite physical condition, he rides to be in wilderness rather than to race. The analogy in the NYT article about racing through a museum made a point about the incongruity of racing through wilderness and the deep ecology sentiment for wilderness, but as it emphasizes that incongruity it greatly understates the connection that Jurek does have with the land. He would have finished even sooner had he not paused from racing along the way to take in the beauty and meaning of the place where he ran. I found a long interview with Jurek about his run, on video and in text, here: http://www.irunfar.com/2015/08/scott-ju ... rview.html

As we all know from experience, each of us must find his or her own pace.

In Thoreau's account of climbing Ktaadn, he mentions Pomola, the spirit guardian of Ktaadn in the lore of a tribe who once lived near it. In those days, no one could climb Ktaadn unless Pomola allowed it. For the most part, no one did go up there until 1804. It was, like other high mountains, considered sacred and also dangerous because it was sacred. Thoreau went in 1846. The nature he encountered at Ktaadn was not the same as at Walden. Nature frightened him at Ktaadn. Thoreau used the words of Milton to describe the Earth he met at Ktaadn as "made out of Chaos and Old Night," and as "the home of Necessity and Fate." I believe he wrote this before Darwin published Origin - before it became scientific to believe that we are born of Necessity and Fate, that we are made out of Chaos and Old Night.

Jurek did much of his running in the night.

It seems that the Baxter State Park ranger who fined and shamed Jurek, is now the guardian, the Pomola, of Ktaadn. Thoreau heard from survivors of the tribe that Pomola becomes angry with people who climb Ktaadn. The new guardian seems to resemble Pomola in his anger towards some who climb Ktaadn. Thoreau also heard from a survivor that Pomola likes rum. The survivor told Thoreau that he should leave a bottle of it on the summit for Pomola. If Pomola likes rum, presumably he would also like champaign. As we know Ktaadn's new guardian does not want any alcohol on the mountain. Nor any celebrating. He sounds much like a puritan.

I like Zip's recommendation to the Baxter Park ranger. The guardian needs to sip a little rum like Pomola and forgive Jurek. Darwin remarked in Origin that nature is more forgiving than humans are.

The idea that mountains are sacred has found modern expression in deep ecology. As I climb mountains, I carry that sentiment in my heart, and, with Thoreau, I hope that I am not breaking trust with them.