NEWSTIPS Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Well, we had some positive response from the climbing community on the story KING 5 did last week on the car breakins at trailheads...so we're looking for other concerns of the climbing community to address. What are some other issues that the climbing community would like to see on the news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 How about a journalistic type look at claimed speed records on Rainier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcat Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Climbing Fees/Trail Park Pass ... I'm sure someone else here could give you a better run down than myself on the stupidity and non-necessity of these fees, but I'd like to have Herb Weisbaum (or whoever your guys' consumer reporter is) investigate on where these funds are actually going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeclimb9 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 NEWSTIPS said: What are some other issues that the climbing community would like to see on the news? Not enough free beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I think this a great topic to bring up and I hope it doesn't get totally walked over with spray for once. Thanks Madame NEWSTIPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I'd say a good story would be one about search and rescue operations: what kind of folks are rescued and where, who participates in SAR operations, why they do it, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 i agree the trail pass fee demo and how the forest service has abused it. also the agressive tendencies of the leavenworth ranger distrcit towards climbers.... but mos def fee demo....that really chaps my hide.... do a search for it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 also dont get corperate america opinion on it.....talk to the people it really affects. report the truth on where the money actually goes...do you think a forest ranger needs night vision googles and a submachine gun to protect the icicle canyon? i have yet to see any significant improvement stemming from millions of dollars of collected trail fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Erik- In my view, the attitude problem in the Leavenworth district is coming from the top, and I'm not sure a news article in the Seattle papers would really help all that much -- the district ranger certainly rebuffed my attempt to address the issue, as well as attempts made by the Access Fund and other people. But an article comparing how various ranger districts and other jurisdictions deal with climbers around the state might be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 iain said: I think this a great topic to bring up and I hope it doesn't get totally walked over with spray for once. Thanks Madame NEWSTIPS. it wont Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWSTIPS Posted March 7, 2003 Author Share Posted March 7, 2003 AlpenTom said: Climbing Fees/Trail Park Pass ... I'm sure someone else here could give you a better run down than myself on the stupidity and non-necessity of these fees...investigate on where these funds are actually going. How much would you estimate the average climber (is there such a thing) spends each year on climbing fees? I can do the research to find what the fees are and what they are supposedly used for, but what I need to know from you guys is why you think they're not being effectively disbursed. Are there problems on the trails that should theoretically be fixed with the climbing fee income but aren't being done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcat Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 You can buy a pass at the beginning of the season for a certain amount. I'd be the wrong person to ask about the amount though because for 1) I don't currently own a vehicle 2) I wouldn't pay the fees even if I did. It's good you're seeking story ideas on cc.com .. I think that shows class on behalf of yourself and King5. As I'm sure you know, there hasn't been a whole lot of attention given to issues concerning NW climbers in the media. I know I'll think of something else to add to this thread soon, but right now I'm recovering from pub club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necronomicon Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I'd like to see the percentage of fees collected that is spent on printing and selling passes, printing tickets, making signs, and ticket enforcement. Enforcement should included wages, L&I, etc, in additon to vehicle costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONCHO&LEFTY Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 More votes on the usage fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelle Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 It would also be nice to know if the Forest Pass fees subsidize the roads used by logging companies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forrest_m Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I agree that the fee-demo program - which in my opinion is a red herring that the forest service is using to distract from the huge amounts of money the lose on other programs - would be a good candidate for an investigation. It certainly affects a much larger group than simply climbers. However, I think it would be hard to treat in a single, short news story - it would almost have to be a series. "This land is our land? - A special report all this week at 11!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 NEWSTIPS said: Well, we had some positive response from the climbing community on the story KING 5 did last week on the car breakins at trailheads...so we're looking for other concerns of the climbing community to address. What are some other issues that the climbing community would like to see on the news? How about a report on Bob Clarke's upcoming 3 peaks in 3 days for a cancer patient? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWSTIPS Posted March 7, 2003 Author Share Posted March 7, 2003 RuMR said: How about a report on Bob Clarke's upcoming 3 peaks in 3 days for a cancer patient? Actually, NWCN did a piece on him several weeks ago, but maybe we'd like to revisit it. I'll have to check to see when exactly that climb is and see if we can hang out (maybe literally?) with him beforehand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucK Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 What percent of your 5$ trailpark pass actually goes to fund trail maintenance? My guess would be that an interesting story could be done by merely looking at the official budgets. Looking at % of trailpark monies that are used only to fund enforcement and logistics of the Fee Demo system itself along with the cut that goes to the general fund in D.C. would be enlightening. Also comparing the money that is not used up by Fee Demo logistics and kickbacks to D.C. to the amount of money by which the budgets of these agencies have been cut would show whether or not the Fee Demo is helping or hurting in terms of funding what they say it funds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 and stress the fact that it is not necessarily the amount of money that's the issue, it's the precendent it sets and incompetence of its application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelle Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Also, highlight that they use the fact that people buy the pass as evidence that it is working and should be continued. They require it or try to ticket you. How does this logic work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWSTIPS Posted March 7, 2003 Author Share Posted March 7, 2003 ehmmic said: Also, highlight that they use the fact that people buy the pass as evidence that it is working and should be continued. They require it or try to ticket you. How does this logic work? This is great. The mere fact that this one topic has so many of you steamed means there are literally hundreds more people of the same opinion. I wish there were an icon on here to show the can of worms I've opened with this query. FYI....I've started the phone calling process to do this story, but don't expect it to turn anytime soon. As Erik or Iain said, this is certainly something that will take a lot of groundwork before it makes it to the airwaves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucK Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 That Ron Judd guy has done a column or two on this. Is he a colleague or competitor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialed Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Not just Fee Demo, but as Erik said certain ranger's aggressive enforcement of it and harrassment of climbers even when they comply with the rules. I'm sure many people here can give first hand accounts. On a related note, cool story in the PI this morning on Bred Frecky!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Go to this link: http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=335&start=30 Talk to Doug Schrenk at the North Bend ranger station. They are supposedly going to gate the Middle Fork Snoqualmie road at Dingford creek which a lot of people oppose. But the real truth isn't supposed to come out until the final document is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.