Time for Hiking Licenses?

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DArcyS
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Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by DArcyS »

There's just way too much bad stuff going on in the mountains. I'm not going to put forward a list of all the bad stuff, but it just seems to be bad and quite frequent.

I had this thought for improving the knowledge of the people who decide to hike and climb. Certain trailheads require a hiking license for its hikers, and the trailheads requiring a license are designated by the forest service or the local authorities who are the ones faced with the burden and cost of search and rescue. One obtains a hiking license after completing a short online course with a simple and easy test that is offered by the state, and upon successful completion the state sends two stickers for the front and rear license plates (and a complimentary 1-year COSAR card?). In terms of enforcement, local authorities need only look at license plates of the cars parked at the trailhead, and if any plate doesn't have a sticker, the offender is given a ticket. The offender is offered the opportunity to take the test or to pay the fine, with any fines collected being used to support SAR. (Yes, maybe some occupants of the car may not have taken the course, but having one member in the party who has at least a little bit of a clue is good enough for me.)

Perhaps in this manner it might be less likely people do things that either harm the environment or harm themselves.

(And I suppose there is a loophole for people who bike to trailheads and stash their bike. But I've only seen one person who bikes to trailheads, and he seems to know what he is doing. :lol: )

Just a thought, but it seems like there's just way too much bad stuff going on now and maybe something can be done about it.
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zdero1
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by zdero1 »

No.
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TallGrass
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by TallGrass »

What about rental cars?
peter303
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by peter303 »

For out of state cars? Just as silly.
Tejonmax
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by Tejonmax »

I agree that there is a lot of bad stuff going on but don't think that would help. Everyone is required to get a drivers license but most people can't seem to drive correctly even with a license. It is hard to protect people from themselves.
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by kushrocks »

20170810_054644.png
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by RockCaCO3 »

DArcyS wrote:
I had this thought for improving the knowledge of the people who decide to hike and climb. Certain trailheads require a hiking license for its hikers, and the trailheads requiring a license are designated by the forest service or the local authorities who are the ones faced with the burden and cost of search and rescue. One obtains a hiking license after completing a short online course with a simple and easy test that is offered by the state, and upon successful completion the state sends two stickers for the front and rear license plates (and a complimentary 1-year COSAR card?). In terms of enforcement, local authorities need only look at license plates of the cars parked at the trailhead, and if any plate doesn't have a sticker, the offender is given a ticket. The offender is offered the opportunity to take the test or to pay the fine, with any fines collected being used to support SAR. (Yes, maybe some occupants of the car may not have taken the course, but having one member in the party who has at least a little bit of a clue is good enough for me.)
I had a similar thought (more LNT/etiquette related, and not as enforceable as yours); when you purchased hiking/running shoes or mt/gravel bike, you paid a deposit to the store where you made your purchase ($20 for example). Then you took a short quiz which involved simple LNT and trail etiquette questions. When you passed the quiz ("open book", you'll pass) you either got your money back, or you could donate it to a local Friends group, VOC, RMFI, etc, and then got some sort of card indicating your not a bonehead (kidding, but something).

I'm sure there are all kinds of holes in this, it was just a thought after seeing ruts from people biking/hiking on local trails when they're muddy.
Last edited by RockCaCO3 on Thu Aug 10, 2017 6:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
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rijaca
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by rijaca »

DArcyS wrote:The sky is falling.
No it's not.
"A couple more shots of whiskey,
the women 'round here start looking good"
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kushrocks
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by kushrocks »

DArcyS wrote:
I had a similar thought (not as enforceable as yours); when you purchased hiking/running shoes or mt/gravel bike, you paid a deposit to the store where you made your purchase ($20 for example). Then you took a short quiz which involved simple LNT and trail etiquette questions. When you passed the quiz ("open book", you'll pass) you either got your money back, or you could donate it to a local Friends group, VOC, RMFI, etc, and then got some sort of card indicating your not a bonehead (kidding, but something).

I'm sure there are all kinds of holes in this, it was just a thought after seeing ruts from people biking/hiking on local trails when they're muddy.
[img]
20170810_061730.png
20170810_061730.png (534.87 KiB) Viewed 2589 times
[/img]
“The best climber in the world is the one who is having all the fun.” – Alex Lowe
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oldschool
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by oldschool »

Absolutely NOT!

Nothing good would come from such a requirement. Yes, bad things have happened. Yes, bad things will continue to happen. Nothing will ever stop that.

Greatly skilled hikers and mountaineers have perished in the mountains, the Elks, the Bells,....all over. s**t happens. It's sad, it's tragic, it's so many things. A piece of paper in my pocket, that costed me money, will not prevent accidents. It won't even protect stupudity! It won't stop either.

IMO....BAD IDEA!
"There's a feeling I get when I look to the West and my spirit is crying for leaving" Led Zeppelin
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by Gueza »

Yeah nah.
Good luck breeds bad habits.
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DArcyS
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Re: Time for Hiking Licenses?

Post by DArcyS »

Ha, ha, a lot of initial exasperation (especially from kushrocks). And let me take a wild guess -- whenever you hear of incident on a mountain caused by a lack of knowledge or education, your initial reaction is one of . . . similar exasperation. Just betting . . .

A 100% full proof system? Did I make that claim? Would it help some? Yes. All? No. That's the way education of humans works.

Lots of libertarian thinkers . . . leave me the heck alone, I get it. :-D Although the people's opinions I would value the most on this are those who have volunteered for SAR (any of you above who initially commented?), as they've seen what is potentially preventable and what is not.
Last edited by DArcyS on Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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