Rant Alert: Protecting People from Themselves

I just got done reading an article on SFGate.com about the closure of some cabins at Curry Village in Yosemite Valley due to rock fall danger. What struck me was not that they were closing cabins that are in the path of falling granitic debris, but that people blame the park service for not warning them of the danger of falling rock.

Uh... Yosemite Valley is one giant geologic falling rock natural museum. It's made out of rock—glacially carved rock of the 400 mile long Sierra Nevada Batholith. Look around. See those giant rock piles everywhere? Rocks + Gravity = Falling Rock. Get it?

One family is suing the park service (i.e. suing us tax payers) for the death of their ROCK CLIMBING beloved. He died by getting hit with heavy rocks under the influence of gravity at Curry Village. (Would some call that poetic justice? or Irony?) I'm sorry. It is sad that this guy died prematurely (or did he?). I'm sure HE understood the dangers of falling rock and I AM ALMOST CERTAIN that he would have been there ANYWAY even if the park service posted this as the family lawyer has suggested:

"If they'd just put up a sign on a bulletin board there, put up a piece of paper that says we've had rockfalls of these sizes on these dates, then they can let people make up their own minds about whether they want to go up there."

This ROCK CLIMBER had to have been aware of the danger and made up his mind to be there anyway. And yet the family and this lawyer are blaming the National Park Service and suing (us). I think this lawsuit is sad and disgusting and selfish.

I should hope that if I ever die in a rock fall in Yosemite Valley, or an avalanche whilst snowcamping, or attacked by a mountain lion or bear, or falling tree, or anything else that could possibly happen as an accident of nature in a beloved park or wild place—even if said park service DOES NOT STAPLE a warning on a tree about such dangers (and shouldn't)—I seriously do hope my family has the heart and wisdom NOT to sue.

As Edward Abbey says in Desert Solitaire:

"...let them take risks, for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches—that is the right and privilege of any free American."

(P.S. and don't sue us if they do.)

Bittersweet part deux

I've officially been relieved of my post at the newspaper. Keyword: RELIEVED... okay now I need a tree-hugger job...

Bittersweet

Last night I was so happy that Obama won I had tears in my eyes, but the morning hangover has sunk in now that California has legislated hate into the constitution. If you want to be homophobic that's your business, but it's wrong to make it state law. I hope this issue goes to the U.S. Supreme Court within the next four years. Discrimination is discrimination even if you wrap it in a "sanctified" bow.

You call 911, get an AED and come back!

So I want to lead backpacking trips. And one day I hope to get PAID to lead backpacking trips. One of the requirements for doing such is advanced CPR. After last night I'm not only officially certified in Wilderness First Aid but also "BLS for Healthcare Providers" (i.e. Basic Life Support). However the need for CPR in the wilderness is dubious at best because where most people go backpacking it is miles and hours away from relief and an AED machine. Also due the the miles and hours, I don't think I will be saying as we were instructed: "You call 911, get an AED and come back." "Sorry lady no cell reception" and 5 hours later, that person that needed the AED machine is probably toast. Also of note (as I was instructed in Wilderness First Aid) is that one of the few scenarios that CPR in the wilderness would be beneficial is if someone is unresponsive after being struck by lightning. So please DON'T get struck by lightning because I hope to never have to use my training...