bullshit!

[erik]

the scandal

 

 

Joshua Tree National Park (CA)

Conviction for Arson, Vandalism of Natural Resources

 

 

 

Joshua Tree NP has historically been a popular gathering spot for outdoor enthusiasts during the Christmas and New Years holidays. During the 2002 holiday, all park campgrounds and facilities were full. While patrolling the Hidden Valley campground after dark on New Year’s Eve, rangers Tim Bertrand and Scott Fischer saw two people on a rock formation above the campground. After hearing the distinctive sound of a tin white gas container hitting the rock, they observed a large fire erupt on the face of the formation. When they identified themselves to the pair, both fled from the area. The rangers apprehended them as they climbed down the back of the formation. They were subsequently identified as Jonathan Thesenga and Erin Whorton. Both were cited for arson, with mandatory court appearances stipulated. Later in the evening, the two rangers were again patrolling the campground. They came across a site with a large fire and several people talking loudly. As the rangers approached the site, they recognized Thesenga and Whorton. Thesenga made several statements indicating that he had no remorse or understanding of what he had done. He stated several times that he planned on doing the same thing next year, and the he would also light several other fires. Thesenga also said that "as the editor," he was not supposed to do things like this. Several days later, the rangers discovered that Thesenga was the senior editor for Climbing Magazine, one of the top two publications on rock climbing. On April 4th, Thesenga and Whorton appeared in federal court. They appeared separately in front of the magistrate, and each pled guilty. Thesenga showed no remorse and did not apologize for his actions to the court. He was sentenced to five years’ unsupervised probation, banned from entering the park for five years, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. The court also required him to provide copies of the rangers’ report and the court proceedings to his employer and the magazine’s owner, the Primedia Corporation. Whorton showed remorse and apologized to the court and to the park staff present for her actions. She was sentenced to a $500 fine and three years’ unsupervised probation and banned from entering the park for a period of three years.

[submitted by Jeff Ohlfs, Acting Chief Ranger]

 

 

 

[Sphinx]

What a dumbass. I never liked the fucker anyways. No wonder Climbing has gone to hell.

[COL._Von_Spanker]

"After hearing the distinctive sound of a tin white gas container hitting the rock"

 

The sound is oh so distinctive...

 

I learned while in the valley that the rangers were using their night vision goggles and high powered listening devices to bust people by hiding and listening in to their coonversations in camp 4, and catching them as they went off for a safety meeting.

 

EDIT: I agree he's a dumbass for lighting shit on fire in the desert...

Edited April 15, 2003 by COL._Von_Spanker

[Fejas]

I don't understand why you think this is bullshit... I mean if it was just a camp fire on top of the boulders that would be one thing, but it seems that they lit the entire boulder on fire... although this act would be fun and quite amussing, it is still aginst the law any where especialy in a national park, not to mention the danger they put the hole area in... and Thesenga is an ass that needs a good skull fucking...

[rbw1966]

Bullshit: as an editor for a climbing magazine, a voice for our beloved sport whether we like it or not, he did something undeniably stupid and refused to apologize for his actions. He potentially risked access and his actions reflect poorly on the climbing community.

 

That, dear fejas, is indeed bullshit.

 

[Scott_J]

 

"I learned while in the valley that the rangers were using their night vision goggles and high powered listening devices to bust people by hiding and listening in to their coonversations in camp 4, and catching them as they went off for a safety meeting."

 

Yes, some of the enforcement rangers have this type of equipment. They are the only law enforcement in 45 min to 1 hour if something bad goes down. I used to know several local sheriffs deputies from the JTree area. The number of felonious meth users and cookers in the area(including the NP)is alarmingly sizable.

Personally, I take comfort in knowing that the NP Enforcement Rangers have state of the art law enforcement equipment to take care of themselves and me(who knows better that to cary in a NP)if the shit hits the fan.

[erik]

I AM CALLING THESUNGA'S ACTIONS BULLSHIT.

 

 

[Billygoat]

What a fuckstick! No, actually, what a dipshit

[lummox]

COL._Von_Spanker said:

I learned while in the valley that the rangers were using their night vision goggles and high powered listening devices to bust people by hiding and listening in to their coonversations in camp 4, and catching them as they went off for a safety meeting.

dont foget their black heliocopters and shit. fucking law enforcement rangers are the dumbfucks couldnt get hired as sheriffs deputies. your more paranoid than a tweaker cooking up with the hot method.

[erik]

actually lummox the COl_ speaka the truth.

 

just got off the phone with a friend down in the valley and they appraoched him as he put food in the his bear box and asked him to leave the valley since he had no proof that he belonged there. including reicpet for entrance, camping permit or a job status.

 

it is bullshit.

 

also the rangers do use covert methods to bust climbers. and a HUGE emphisis on climbers as opposed to normal tourons!

 

it is nice that lober is no longer there!!!!

 

 

 

 

[COL._Von_Spanker]

sisu_suomi said:

 

"I learned while in the valley that the rangers were using their night vision goggles and high powered listening devices to bust people by hiding and listening in to their coonversations in camp 4, and catching them as they went off for a safety meeting."

 

Yes, some of the enforcement rangers have this type of equipment. They are the only law enforcement in 45 min to 1 hour if something bad goes down. I used to know several local sheriffs deputies from the JTree area. The number of felonious meth users and cookers in the area(including the NP)is alarmingly sizable.

Personally, I take comfort in knowing that the NP Enforcement Rangers have state of the art law enforcement equipment to take care of themselves and me(who knows better that to cary in a NP)if the shit hits the fan.

 

Since when does "the valley" mean Jtree? And why does an NPS ranger need night vision and listening devices...I don't think there are many meth labs in camp 4.

[Fejas]

rbw1966 said:

Bullshit: as an editor for a climbing magazine, a voice for our beloved sport whether we like it or not, he did something undeniably stupid and refused to apologize for his actions. He potentially risked access and his actions reflect poorly on the climbing community.

 

That, dear fejas, is indeed bullshit.

 

I agree, I was just unsure weather or not The Prophet aproved of his behavior... I sure as shit don't... refer to the skull fucking...

[JoshK]

Burning stuff in the desert is no fun. I lit a nice line of white gas across the city street I live on the other day. The reactions from others seeing this sight is priceless. Much more fun than in the middle of the desert.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Nonsense, poopy pants! Burning VW Bug-sized tumbleweeds is indeed fun as they explode into romping hot flames and burn from the inside out. A decent addition to any Red Rocks or other tumbleweed-infested-desert area campfire experience.

[rbw1966]

Silver Subaru's burn nicely as well.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

See you at Club PDX, pisswater.

[rbw1966]

Pisswater? I dont think HB sells coors.

[Winter]

I was in the Valley last week and personally saw 4 meth labs, one set up on the Salathe Wall, several rangers with night vision scopes checking out the women's showers in Curry Village and a horde of strung out fiends from LA cooking down on the Swinging Bridge. The shit had really hit the fan and thank god the rangers were there to save us from the marauding damsels cleaning themselves in preparation for a celebration not seen since the days of Altamont and the dirty hippies.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Astonishingly witty rejoinder, sir. Too-shay, as they say in Frawnts.

[rbw1966]

There was a report in one of the mags out there that the Park Service found webcams mounted in the mens showers in Yosemite.

[iain]

i thought those were tracking troublesome bears

[Attitude]

rbw1966 said:

There was a report in one of the mags out there that the Park Service found webcams mounted in the mens showers in Yosemite.

Just about everything has been mounted in the men's shower at Yosemite.

 

Horny climbers.

[j_b]

but why did they do that? or would want to do it again?

 

however, trying to get the guy to loose his job in addition to the fine, ban, etc ... seems a little excessive

[erik]

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM CLIMBING MAGAZINE

RE: INCIDENT IN JOSHUA TREE

NATIONAL PARK

Carbondale, CO-Yesterday details of an incident and charges involving Climbing magazine editor Jonathan Thesenga and the National Park Service in Joshua Tree National Park first came to the attention of Climbing’s management team.

 

We immediately undertook action and conducted an internal investigation. Based on the results of those efforts, Climbing magazine this morning terminated Thesenga’s employment effective immediately. A successor will be named later.

 

For 33 years Climbing’s editorial content has been a constant refrain to climbers to act as environmental stewards. We have encouraged the climbing community to employ minimum impact climbing practices, and have strived as employees and representatives of Climbing and the community to maintain even higher standards for ourselves. Violations of that obligation are dealt with swiftly

and deliberately.

 

Climbing magazine has supported the Access Fund since its inception in 1989, through financial sponsorship, marketing assistance, and editorial coverage of their efforts. Climbing’s long-time editor, publisher, former owner and current editorial consultant, Michael Kennedy, served as a volunteer on the Access Fund board of directors from 1993 through 2002 and as Access Fund president in 1999 and 2000.

 

Climbing magazine supported climbing specific efforts of the Conservation Alliance with corporate sponsorship from 1992 through 1998. And more recently, the magazine has supported the Utah Open Lands’ Castleton Tower Preservation Initiative, a community and industry supported effort to save Castle Valley from development. Environmental awareness and activism are the core tenets of Climbing’s philosophy - - past, present and future.

 

[allison]

 

Guess I ought to dust off that feature query again soon!