graupel

If someone managed to get a hold of one of these surveys and happened to have access to a flatbed scanner, maybe they could post it so we could see what this thing is all about. Depending on what it is, I might be willing to fill one out and send it in too. Particularly if it provides an opportunity to indicate disapproval for the regulations and fees for Adams and St. Helens.

Seems to work pretty good in my book. The burner head folds up smaller than the Whisperlite too and is lighter. Nice and quiet. I don't know what the stats are, but it seems equivalent in heat to a Whisperlite. Noticeably more controllable for output. Haven't had to clean it yet, but since it has the shaker jet, I might not have to for a while.

I think rangers (both Park and Forest Service) fail to comprehend how much their policing in the name of keeping the numbers down to reduce "user contacts" and preserve the "sense of wilderness" contributes to a diminishing of the sense of wilderness. One ranger acting like a cop equals 20-30 (or more) fellow climbers on the trail you say "hi" to as you are walking by.

Even better than forging a pass is to contact your congressman. Help make this stupid program go away by placing a phone call like this Action Alert suggests: http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB26&Number=213012&Forum=All_Forums&Words=2490&Match=Username&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=213012&Search=true#Post213012 If you already know who your representative is, you can find their direct phone number HERE If you need to look up who your representative is, you can do that HERE It only takes a couple of minutes if you find their direct line. Sometimes the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 can be busy. The receptionists are always nice and patiently will take notes in order to relay your opinion. Make it easy for them and be brief though.

As a reminder, you can still send in a letter for comments on their proposal either today or tomorrow (Tuesday, January 21st). Email comments can go to mora_climbing_fees@nps.gov If you don't contest it, the park will pretend the entire climbing community is in favor of paying more fees.

If you don't send in a letter or attend these meetings, it is the functional equivalent of shouting to them to charge anything they want. I think the important thing is to think of the legacy this leaves. At some point, the officials in charge may change, and their replacements may have a more hardcore attitude at enforcement. Where will your strategy of planning to not pay have gotten you then? Please take the time to send the message that the climbing community doesn't support the fees by writing in. Otherwise, you are going to see the mountain orienting their policies toward those neophytes that want to be spoon-fed with their hands held all the way and charged up the kazoo because the climb is something they are only interested in doing once in their life. mora_climbing_fees@nps.gov For background info, see http://www.nps.gov/mora/climb/costrecovery.htm

Here is a reminder for the meeting coming up on Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m at the The Mountaineers Clubhouse, 300 Third Ave. West, Seattle. This is an rare opportunity to have your opinion heard. At the meeting will be: Mike Gauthier, Lead Climbing Ranger Steve Winslow, Climbing Supervisor Jill Hawk, Chief Ranger Dave Uberuaga, the Park Superintendent, and most importantly, the guy that actually makes the decision Here are reasons why you should let your opinion be known by showing up: 1) The Park only knows what people decide to tell them about how the program works for them. Much like surveys pertaining to the Recreation Fee Demo Program, the people they have available to interview are people that are already paying into the system, so it stands to reason that these people are already accepting of the fees since they already chose to pay them. Also, in the visitor’s mind, they also have never been provided with a choice of whether to pay the fee or not. When you register the rangers make you walk over to the envelope vault and pay the fee. Those that are opposed enough to the fee to not want to pay it are forced to not register. The other reaction generated by the fee in those that oppose it is to climb elsewhere. In both cases the Park has lost the voice of opposition to the program. 2) The Park is basing their motivation to provide more services based on a very small amount of documented feedback. Announced at the meeting in Tacoma, this past year brought 6 written letters, 5 phone complaints, and an unspecified amount of comments based on "climber contacts" on the mountain. Given the likelihood that the only reason someone is likely to offer a comment is because they are unhappy with something, the feedback provided is skewed. Yet, that is why this fee increase is being proposed. No systematic survey has been performed regarding satisfaction of services, so the opinions of those that are satisfied with the amount provided today and those who could be satisfied with less or who do not require any services whatsoever have never been polled. 3) Expectations rise due to a fee being paid. If we went back to the time when folks who were arriving at hours when the ranger station was closed were able to self-register for remaining vacancies, there would not be the need to have extended ranger office hours. Those that desire that extra level of information by talking to a ranger could arrange their schedule to allow them to talk to someone in person or check the web page. 4) Rainier Park sees themselves as a model for how to manage a glacier climbing resource. The position they take on charging of fees and levels of service will be looked at by Forest Service Ranger Districts that administer other volcanoes like St. Helens, Adams and Shasta. In effect, the fees on Rainier and Denali laid the groundwork for other recreation fees affecting hikers and climbers including the Recreation Fee Demo Program. If fees are allowed to continue or rise at Rainier, they will likely continue and rise elsewhere. 5) Whatever gets decided in this fee increase proposal will probably be in place for the next 7-8 years. So whatever happens now you will have to endure until then. Then, guess what? They are sure likely to ask for more. If you oppose the fee increase, or user fees in general, they need to hear from you.