MLU's mandatory on Hood!

[sketchfest]

The bill was approved by the house and is now racing off to the senate!

linky

[EWolfe]

The negative impact of sensationalism.

[sobo]

that is so sux0r. typical political knee-jerk reactionism. :tdown:

[ZimZam]

They should have to wear flea collars. What a bunch of straps.

[jordansahls]

Wow, that is really gay.

[ivan]

any clue what the enforcement method will be? fines/penalities? think i've seen a ranger on hood about once per 100 climbs...

[ClimbingPanther]

if climbing Hood w/o an MLU is outlawed, only outlaws will climb Hood w/o an MLU

 

I'm so hot.

[EWolfe]

Implants for the regulars is the obvious solution

 

 

[AlpineK]

I'll be interested to hear how they plan to enforce this new law. Are you going to have to walk through a toll booth before you climb the mountain. Maybe they won't trigger a rescue till they hear a beep on the recorder.

[AllYouCanEat]

Bummer. I hope that this mentality of more regulation doesn't spread. Although, most non-climbing people I've met already feel that we climbers take undue risk. So maybe it is too late? The wilderness our forefathers saved will be passed on to 300lb overweight-bubble boys and girls.

 

I can see it now

Edited March 29, 2007 by AllYouCanEat

[Doug]

Hey, has the offcially sanctioned first speed ascent with an MLU occurred? I've gotta go now! Or should I wait until the law is on the books?

[faster_than_you]

I'm hoping that the Nodder climbs Mt Hood so that it can be tracked with an MLU.

 

Thank you OR legislature!

[ryland_moore]

Wow. Good luck on enforcement and good luck catching those that wish to not abide by this "law". I would like to see the actual language presented. Does it just cover Hood or all areas over 10k'?

[Chad_A]

Fuck them. Find me on Hood to see if I have an MLU on.

[111]

Fuck them. Find me on Hood to see if I have an MLU on.

 

I Second that. Guerilla mountaineering!

[ryland_moore]

Seriously. The majority of us head up there on skis. You think they would actually catch us? Not a chance! Plus, they have no enforcement control. They can issue you tickets. They can't arrest you! And if you don't have your id or anything on you, then how can they write you a ticket? Good luck!

[Doug]

Fuck them. Find me on Hood to see if I have an MLU on.

 

You want the terrorists to win, don't you?

[layton]

I know a way to get the bill tossed.

 

Every time one of us goes up hood, get an MLU....and use it.

 

"I'm sorry for the trouble. I got a bit hungry and I don't like my cliff bars I brought...can I get a heli out?"

[MtnHigh]

I wonder if my electronic monitoring bracelet from the county will suffice?

[pink_chalk]

I know a way to get the bill tossed.

 

Every time one of us goes up hood, get an MLU....and use it.

 

"I'm sorry for the trouble. I got a bit hungry and I don't like my cliff bars I brought...can I get a heli out?"

 

"I broke a nail!"

[KaskadskyjKozak]

The bill was approved by the house and is now racing off to the senate!

linky

 

FUCK YOU NANNY GOVERNMENT!!!

[cluck]

I haven't read the official voted-on version, but here's what was in one of the most recent versions:

• Climbers must carry BOTH a locating device (MLU, PLB, or GPS) AND a 2-way communication device (cell phone, radio)
  
• The law only applies on Mount Hood and only above 10,000 feet
  
• The law only applies between November and March
  
• The law doesn't take affect until 2010 (to give time for technology to develop and drop in price)
  
• There is no penalty for being caught w/o the required equipment
  

It's impossible to enforce this law and the legislators know it. They just want to pass something, anything, to make it look like they're doing something to cut down on "climbing disasters."

 

On the positive side, it seems like the committee made a genuine effort to limit the impact this bill has on climbers. On the negative side, they seem hell bent on wasting my tax dollars to pass a meaningless, unenforcable law against the advice of all the stakeholders & experts simply to appease the percieved wishes of an ignorant and misinformed public.

[Doug_Hutchinson]

Here is the text of the letter Rocky Henderson of PMR (and representing all other mountain rescue groups) emailed to all state reps yesterday. I think the letter says it all. Nice work Rocky!----

 

 

 

 

March 23, 2007

 

All of the mountain rescue organizations in the State of Oregon oppose HB2509.

These organizations include:

 

• Portland Mountain Rescue

• Eugene Mountain Rescue

• Corvallis Mountain Rescue

• Deschutes County SAR

• Hood River Crag Rats

 

Additionally, the Mountain Rescue Association, which represents over 90 mountain rescue teams through out North America, opposes HB 2509.

 

The Mt Hood Search and Rescue Council, which represents all the agencies and resource groups on Mt Hood, opposes HB 2509.

 

Oregon Mountain Rescue Council, the organization recognized by the Oregon State Sheriffs Association as the accreditation body for mountain rescue teams in Oregon, opposes HB2509.

 

The Mazamas, a non-profit mountaineering education organization representing over 3000 climbers, opposes HB2509.

 

We believe a law requiring climbers to carry electronic devices will have unintended consequences that will increase the risk to both climbers and rescuers. Additionally, when the state mandates specific equipment it gives the climber a false sense of security. The climber will be more likely to take greater risks because they believe that since the state has required a “beacon” they are entitled to a rescue.

 

For example, in February, the eight climbers lost on Mt. Hood had beacons, GPS and a compass. When rescuers got to them they walked out on their own. The media portrayed this as great example of the value of the MLU. Our analysis leads us to conclude that they were relying on the rescuers to save them when the incident could have been completely avoided had the climbers known how to properly use their compass and GPS. Self reliance in the mountains is essential for survival, HB2509 will not cause climbers to be more self-reliant. In fact we believe that this law will lead to more reliance on the rescuers.

 

House Bill 2509 was conceived by a representative as an emotional response to the families of the lost climbers on Mt. Hood. While these people have good intentions, they do not understand issues involving climbers and rescuers on Mt. Hood.

 

The mountain rescue community is in the best position to understand these issues and help craft effective solutions. We are already actively working on solutions in conjunction with the Governor’s Search and Rescue Task Force and we welcome all opportunities to keep Oregon a wonderful and safe place to enjoy our mountains.

 

A vote in favor of this bill will be against the advice of the entire mountain rescue community in this state and in the nation

 

We ask you to vote NO on House bill 2509

 

 

[dmuja]

Well, a lot of good that did...

[underworld]

so if someone uses an MLU per the law... and they still get skrude. you know, an MLU won't make the white-out go away. who's responsible? Is the MLU maker liable? WTF???

 

 

this is all bogus!