Denver Post on SAR overload

[hskrhiker]

I didn’t bother to read the article as the summaries from other posters make it not worth the read.

I’ve been hiking for longer than most of you have probably been alive. In my opinion, two things are going on. First, there are simply way more people in the mountains. Second, there is a larger percentage of people in the mountains that simply do not have a clue of what they could be getting themselves into.

[SkaredShtles]

IMO Colorado should have professional SAR. Simplistic answer, sure... but here we are.

[two lunches]

In my opinion, two things are going on. First, there are simply way more people in the mountains. Second, there is a larger percentage of people in the mountains that simply do not have a clue of what they could be getting themselves into.

bingo. and i believe both of these issues stem from people on social media making wilder areas appear more tame than they are. i'll spare everyone a dissertation on this issue. just use your imagination and more importantly, use some discretion when geotagging your beautiful photos

[HikerGuy]

Bill Middlebrook is clearly to blame.

[justiner]

DAMN YOU BILL MIDDLEBROOK!!!

[justiner]

First, there are simply way more people in the mountains. Second, there is a larger percentage of people in the mountains that simply do not have a clue of what they could be getting themselves into.

In CO, we're also building super trails to the highest peaks, then they're being marketed as tourist attractions. Like - are we not? How many "my vacation is being ruined because the mountains are being mountains - help!" have there been on these forums, and on the FB?

[griddles]

I think what gets me about some of these articles, because this is not the first or last, is that they leave off the alternatives of some serious rescues where people are alive because of the use of PLBs. I recently read this book 'Hidden Mountains: Survival and Reckoning After a Climb Gone Wrong" where the subjects, at least 1, would be dead today if not for the use of PLB. Would those writing these types of articles rather have people die so that 'those damn kids and their phones' are inside all day?

[Dave B]

[headsizeburrito]

I think it's a pretty weak piece as far as analysis goes (like others have said, I'd want to see real numbers adjusted for higher usage) but that's why it's in the opinion section. There is no doubt that barriers to getting outside are lower than they used to be. In many ways that is a good thing by allowing more people to enjoy/appreciate nature, improve their health, get invested in protecting natural spaces, etc. Of course the downsides are crowding, greater visitor impacts, and higher numbers of people who get in over their heads.

Norms around communication and technology probably do have some impact. But that's just unavoidable. The person in the article using a transponder to try and signal aircraft in the 90s was using the best (coddling!) technology available. Why should people be expected to not do the same today? And fear mongering about people reading about trips on The Internet is a bit silly. Then they talk about a BASE jumper fatality, who I'm pretty sure didn't get into BASE jumping that morning because they saw a tiktok video.

The only real ways to address this are better education (won't reach most people no matter how much you try, but resources like this site are a huge help to those willing to do some basic research), increased resources for SAR (always a good idea, relying on donor funded volunteers is rarely sustainable in high use areas), or increasing barriers to entry (I'd be fine with blocking roads to move trailheads a couple miles further away from destinations, but obviously this isn't a viable solution). Yelling at the damn kids and their cell phones might make you feel better but won't accomplish anything.

[Wentzl]

How about that titanic sub?

[nunns]

I'm telling ya, re-introduce grizzly bears into Colorado.

The crowd problem will sort itself out and the SAR calls will eventually reduce.

Cue HighPilgrim posting something sarcastic to "MiniVan Bob".

Sean Nunn
Raytown MO

[curt86iroc]

IMO Colorado should have professional SAR. Simplistic answer, sure... but here we are.

volunteers can be professionals