Stupid Things in the Wilderness

[George Cathcart]

These are actual comments left in 1996 on U. S. Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:

1. "A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."

2. "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."

3. "Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."

4. "Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."

5. "Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."

6. "All the mile markers are missing this year."

7. "Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."

8. "Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."

9. "Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."

10. "Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."

11. "Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."

12. "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."

13. "Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."

14. "Need more signs to keep area pristine."

15. "A McDonald's would be nice at the trail head."

16. "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."

17. "Too many rocks in the mountains."

[Chester Taje]

Well what can I say.These folks need to be re educated. Life goes on.Glad I don't know any of those folks.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Ya, Some people haven't a clue.

When Mt St. Helens blew it's top some person ask why the government didn't pour concrete down it's throat and plug it up.


Now the real problem with Forest Service. Every year they keep making the trails longer and steeper. And I wish they'd stop making the ground harder, sleeping was much easier when the ground was nice and soft. I think they're also doing something with gravity, it's gets harder every year to get to a vertical position from a horizontal position.

[Gina D.]

I must confess. It was me that nicked the pickles.

I am a little dear, and I LOVE pickles!

What condo complex did they put on a tour bus and take up there?

[Bigfoot Mike]

12. "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."

What!

[Frederick L. Simson]

Glad I don't know any of those folks.

These folks are my neighbors.

[jdtrotter]

Now the real problem with Forest Service. Every year they keep making the trails longer and steeper. And I wish they'd stop making the ground harder, sleeping was much easier when the ground was nice and soft. I think they're also doing something with gravity, it's gets harder every year to get to a vertical position from a horizontal position.

Boy, am I glad to know this information. I thought it was just me getting older!


Diane

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Everyone of them and all their relatives and friends use the San Gorgonio Wilderness. And they all (or nearly all) need back-up lights and red reflectors on their back packs. Fortunately the Rangers do a pretty good job of keeping them all in the "zoo". The local store and restaurant benefit somewhat, so it appears as if some good comes of their presence.
All of the above is said with tongue firmly implanted in cheek, as I and my family have contributed our share of use on the trails.
Leave only footprints and take only memories,
Kurt & Ann K.

[Donna D.]

I know without a fact that I ran into each and everyone of those people in my days of backpacking the Three Sisters Wilderness area.

Add: 16. We need signs indicating where the restrooms/outhouses are located.

Dude...It's on the end of your shovel!!

[Gina D.]

I think I was married to one of them.

[Renee K.]

These are actual comments left in 1996 on U. S. Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:

1. "A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."

2. "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."

3. "Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."

4. "Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."

5. "Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."

6. "All the mile markers are missing this year."

7. "Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."

8. "Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."

9. "Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."

10. "Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."

11. "Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."

12. "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."

13. "Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."

14. "Need more signs to keep area pristine."

15. "A McDonald's would be nice at the trail head."

16. "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."

17. "Too many rocks in the mountains."

[Steve L.]

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">These people boat as well. The kids who serve as summer help at the state marinas out here talk about the boaters that are navigating their way north with AAA maps. Funny how I never noticed the highways out in the middle of </span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Lake Huron</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"> before. </span>

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"> </span>

<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">We were out sailing one evening when it started to rain, and then the fog rolled in. It was really thick. While we were sailing slowly toward the mouth of the river and we were having a contest to see who could ring the bell the loudest (sound signal in restricted visibility, in lieu of a horn signal), two boaters came blasting out of the fog at full tilt. They saw me (thank goodness) and circled around to ask directions to the mouth of a different river. I looked at the chart and gave them a compass heading. Neither boat had a compass on board! I pointed in the proper direction and they roared off again in more or less the right direction. Oh my. </span>