rescues

[guest]

Hi everyone,

To revive an old thread, I would like to request that we continue to discourage people from doing Skyline this time of year, even into the early spring. Many of us are already doing this.

There have been several rescues in the last few months, again!

Yeah, "it's a free country", "wilderness is there to challenge us", and the trail is unregulated (although, there is a Bighorn sheep warning / "closure" from Jan - June).

BUT, many authorities & agencies (I've spoken to a some personally) have discussed restrictions or possible closure of Skyline if the high incidence of rescues continues.
This is costing the counties a lot of money, and putting far too many SAR's teams at great risk.
It also limits the resources available for other rescues or emergencies.

Of course, many don't know of this message board, so it's a challenge to get the word out; people have died on this trail, in varying conditions, I hope more don't.

I want to see us be able to continue hiking this great trail many years to come,

ss

[KathyW]

thanks for the post ss

[Cy Kaicener]

Well said ss and thanks for the post. I remember when they had someone from the BLM posted at the Bighorn Sheep Lambing sign. Hikers used to start real early or climb straight up before reaching the guard.

[qonbige]

Is Skyline trail the one from the museum to the tram station? Sounds like the rescues yesterday were above the tram station. I was going from the museum to the tram station with a friend. Did not see anybody except Cy and Doreen who did not go to the tram station. We reached the tram station but did not see anyone else. And there were no tracks of other people above the flat rock. We did not start until 8 am. May be the ones rescued started after we did? Quang

[Cy Kaicener]

Quang - I am glad you made it. Skyline is the trail from the museum to the tram. It seems like there were rescues above and below the tram. There were two guys with full packs behind you. They left the museum at 9 am. I was sure that they would have to be rescued. Ellen from this message board was going for the peak, and she is still missing.

[guest]

Even if a few "lucky" & or skilled people complete Skyline this time of year, it's really not worth it.
The snow & ice conditions vary considerably, depending on how many storms, what type of snow, did some layers become icy etc.

Today, some who attempted it, were found below tram tower 4!! This is super dangerous terrain, and a great example of the difficulty in staying on the correct / safe route, if one even exits.

Remember, an ice ax is almost useless in powder, and snowshoes are not good on ice (especially the aluminum cleats)!

ss

[cynthia23]

Agree with everything you say, SS. I'm starting to think that the only solution to this mess is to either charge for rescues, or to simply close the trail during dangerous periods (which, let's face it, would be basically Nov-April, and June through September.) Those who got caught would be fined, and if rescued, charged for their rescues. Basically this would guarantee that the only people who would do it during the "bad" months would be very experienced people like SS, etc. Without a doubt, the rangers are going to do something. They have got to be thinking of the s** storm of lawsuits, liability, bad PR, etc that will happen if one of the SAR helicopters crash, and at this rate of virtually weekly rescues, the law of averages is starting to get distinctly unfriendly. At least, I know if I were a ranger, I would be moving in the area of closure or severe restriction. Not to mention the costs of this have gone beyond the pale. If they are even talking about closing the State park due to budget restrictions, how can they afford to fly in helicopters to rescue thrill-seekers?