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Posted by Bill S on January 18, 2008 at 12:42:06 pm EST
In reply to What? No Kids Allowed Above Treeline?! posted by Alicia on January 18, 2008 at 11:43:35 am EST

Yes, I have seen rules like this in a number of places, most after Young Son was older than the cutoff. But I also see the gear rules (and mandatory gear checks) for all ages that you quote. I have also run into one place where they have an "advisory" maximum age (70, in a state where all the ski resorts have the "senior" lift ticket starting at age 80 ... go figure). However, every place where I have run into the required gear check seems to use it as a screening tool to discourage the astounding number of people who show up in cold stormy weather in T-shirt and shorts, wearing flipflops, rather than a serious prohibition (I actually have seen this on Mt Washington, which has no screening). Then again, there are the bureaucrats who believe "a rule is a rule ... no exceptions!"

Despite mikekey's comment (with which I agree, being a libertarian and anarchist at heart, like the majority of climbers), the land managers have had to put in such rules to protect themselves against the sensationalist media and torts lawyers. Remember that all climbing gear has the sewn-in label or hang tag that starts with "WARNING! Climbing is dangerous...you could DIE!" and ski lift tickets warn of "natural and manmade hazards... serious injury..." When (not "if") people go in "fat, dumb, and happy" (to quote the old aviator's mantra) and get themselves in deep trouble, the "public" expects that the "authorities" will save them (especially now, with cell phones, Epirbs, and other electronic widgets to call for help and GPSRs to let the ranger know where to bring the helicopter), and when someone dies (especially a child), there is condemnation in the media for the "government" for letting the tragedy happen.

Alicia, it's more the attempt to protect against the law suits and outcry than actual concern for the public's safety (I hate to say this, but I have been seeing this develop for too many years, going all the way back to the accident in the Tetons in the 1970s). Even a release form doesn't seem to help. The "government" MUST protect us against ourselves. If something happens, well, we better enact more laws and write more regulations. Gee, you don't really expect people to be responsible, do you?

I should note that one of the things I put right up front in the courses I teach to adult Scout leaders and would-be backpackers is that you should be prepared, in case of emergency, to rescue yourself, because it is highly likely to take hours, days, or even weeks before outside help can arrive. I DO expect people to be self-responsible. Unfortunately, most are not.

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