Troublesome Climbers, you know who you are

[CascadeClimber]

Ready fire aim on the part of WSDOT for blaming the climbers before they had all the info. How about issuing a public retraction?

[AlpineK]

This calls for a giant sign at Washington Pass

 

[font:Arial Black]*****WARNING*****[/font]

 

[font:Arial]Snow slopes around Washington Pass Subject to Shelling[/font]

 

[font:Arial]When you hear the sirens sound you have 15 minutes[/font]

 

WSDOT provides advanced warnings of shelling on phone and internet links 12 hours in advance.

[Dane]

This calls for a giant sign at Washington Pass

 

[font:Arial Black]*****WARNING*****[/font]

 

[font:Arial]Snow slopes around Washington Pass Subject to Shelling[/font]

 

[font:Arial]When you hear the sirens sound you have 15 minutes[/font]

 

WSDOT provides advanced warnings of shelling on phone and internet links 12 hours in advance.

 

Seems they are not effective enough and a sign at the pass would be in order and while they are at it a siren wouldn't hurt to avoid what will eventually happen.

[mattp]

I get the impression that WSDOT actually puts a great deal of effort into making it so we can ski and climb along Highway 20 safely. They COULD simply post the entire high country portion of the highway "no parking" and plow no parking areas like they have pretty much done for Highway 2. They don't.

 

Personally, even if you think somebody made a shockingly wrong accusation against your brother climber, I think "thanks" are in order.

[Dane]

What kind of cool-aid are you drinking. Public property and public EMPLOYEES paid for by our taxes.

 

Which btw is why WA state has some the most expensive gasoline in the nation.

 

If you need to blow things up for the greater good...producing easy to see signage and a reasonable notification system is appropriate.

[CascadeClimber]

If you need to blow things up for the greater good...producing easy to see signage and a reasonable notification system is appropriate.

 

Exactly. First you screw up the signage, then you make a big public/media deal blaming people for not paying attention to the signage that didn't actually exist, then you find out what really happened. Ready, fire, aim.

 

All I'm saying is make the same effort to get the word out that WADOT made an error that contibuted to the situation as they did to blame climbers before they had all the info.

 

And yeah, they do a lot of work to open the road. But that's pretty much their freaking job. Just because their job is to plow a road that gets us early access to that area doesn't make them immune from criticism.

 

And personally, I think it's a big-ass waste of money to clear that particular road so early. I know that won't be popular here, but my daughter got detention yesterday for bringing her mathbook home. Apparently there aren't enough books for each student to use one. And if I could choose between effing math books and plowing and then shelling the hell out of Highway 20, well, that's an easy choice.

[rob]

I get the impression that WSDOT actually puts a great deal of effort into making it so we can ski and climb along Highway 20 safely. They COULD simply post the entire high country portion of the highway "no parking" and plow no parking areas like they have pretty much done for Highway 2. They don't.

 

Personally, even if you think somebody made a shockingly wrong accusation against your brother climber, I think "thanks" are in order.

 

I'm calling BS. These guys work for me. Why do I have to kiss their ass?

[Nitrox]

I'm boycotting WSDOT over this!

 

 

[Josh Lewis]

Wow! This situation sounds rediculous.

[tvashtarkatena]

Phone and internet notification is great for folks at home planning a trip. Not so great for folks already camped in the area. Good old fashion signage closing the road before dawn patrollers deploy should do the trick.

[tvashtarkatena]

BTW, I'm sure we all appreciate the fine work WSDOT does keeping some of the toughest passes in America open. Sure, they get a paycheck for it, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve a little lovin, too.

[ivan]

all hot WSDOT chicas please form a line to the left

[Alasdair]

Ok so I am almost positive that the people who this thread is talking about is a group I was with. Now that there are numerous other people who support the fact that there were no signs I will admit it was me.

 

First off there were NO signs posted. We started hiking at 6am and we were out for the day. We got back to the car at 12:30ish.

 

In addition the notification email that DOT sends out to people did not arrive till the morning of the incident.

 

I agree there needs to be a better way of working with the climbing community on this one. I was on Polar Circus several years ago and had a shell or two lobbed over my head so I do not want to repeat that. Not only that, for me to ignore warning signs about avalanche control would be a career ending move. I like my job and would like to keep it. If I saw signs, there is now way I would ignore them.

 

Hope this incident helps climbers and DOT work together in the future.

[Josh Lewis]

:tup: For publicly mentioning it. I don't blame you one bit if what you said it true about the signs not being visible or noticible.

[MarkMcJizzy]

They COULD simply post the entire high country portion of the highway "no parking" and plow no parking areas like they have pretty much done for Highway 2.

 

 

One difference is that US 2 is a US Highway, and provides an important cross mountain highway necessary for inter- and intra-state commerce. It's primary function is to get people across the Cascades.

 

Highway 20, on the other hand, is almost completely built for recreation. It is used by some trucks, but is almost entirely a recreation byway

[JoshK]

They COULD simply post the entire high country portion of the highway "no parking" and plow no parking areas like they have pretty much done for Highway 2.

 

 

One difference is that US 2 is a US Highway, and provides an important cross mountain highway necessary for inter- and intra-state commerce. It's primary function is to get people across the Cascades.

 

Highway 20, on the other hand, is almost completely built for recreation. It is used by some trucks, but is almost entirely a recreation byway

 

It helps spread out the impact of the tour bus size RV driving toolbag crowd on I-90 and US2 as well. I'd hate for them to have only 2 highways to drive their personal roadblock/hotels across.

[rob]

WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS????

 

You should all be GRATEFUL for the work they are doing for us. WE OWE THEM!!!

 

They're probably watching this site and I hope they don't start refusing to clear the highway just because of a few bad apples

[genepires]

Funny..I thought that tax payers paid them to clear out the road and that they didn't do it voluntarily out of their own good intentions.

 

Of course we appreciate the work they do. Just like I appreciate the police, fireman and postal officers. But they are still hired to do a job, just like those "troublesome climbers" were hired to teach their clients mountain skills.

 

Setting up the howitzer without a serious effort to keep the American public safe is major mistake and very unlike most government operations. Emails and a phone hotline! Really!

[Dirtyleaf]

Headlines: "Government agencies and personnel around the U.S. quit their jobs because climbers almost got shock and awed by snow removal crew and then talked smacked about the lack of warning." Bob the snow remover guy: "Yeah, it was harsh, I was just doing my job and collecting a pay check when I had to take a break for a day. Then, on this internet website, some people were being mean because we almost shot them and didn't post any warning signs, but I still got paid for a full days work. I think I might quit."

[lightD]

Is there an issue here surrounding the need for an effective notification system for control work? This has come up before other places, and its always an issue when 20 and 410 are being opened. Its also been an issue in the Alpental valley. Maybe there ought to be some sort of clearinghouse - perhaps NWAC special bulletins or something that is or ought to be part of trip planning for an outing.

 

It might not be bad to have place to go with the control zones mapped out and a daily update of what's expected - that's what they do at Roger's Pass and its a great way to not only get info on control work out but also other really practical safety and snow issue out. The crews could also post some sweet avy-porn of their better control shots to drive traffic. Could be fun.

[Dirtyleaf]

[rob]

you guys are too easy.

[Dirtyleaf]

Psshhh...You're not a cowboy...and neither am I.

[rob]

Whatevs, I make Eastwood look like a total dude.

[Dirtyleaf]

Yeah, I make Matt Damon look like a total douche. Wait, most people make MD look like a total douche...