It will make a grown man cry. This guy is a lifelong hunter. I can only imagine his horror as the bear started to eat him. If I lived in Canada, I would own a rifle and know how to use it. It doesn't sound like he had it on himself when he was attacked. I just read another story about a British Columbia filmmaker who was charged by a Grizzly. He survived because he pulled his gun out and shotby rightstar76 - General Discussion
I was disappointed to see him in a credit card commercial. I've always admired him as he is very philosophical. I guess he needed to pay some bills.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The current cycle of deluge and drought is unprecedented. One year there is hardly any snow. The next there is so much that it looks like winter at the end of May. No doubt this is one of the effects of global warming. Thanks for sharing this article.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
Awesome! So perhaps the universe isn't disappearing like some thought. Thanks for sharing the article.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
Both passes are equally beautiful in my opinion. However, if I had never driven Tioga, I would choose it over Sonora. As for time savings, I think Sonora is faster because you don't have all the traffic and the speed limit is low in Yosemite. If you go over Sonora make sure your cooling system is working. The elevation gain from Dardanelles to the pass is massive and quick. Enjoy.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Fantastic story. Here's a link to a longer article with pictures in the San Francisco Chrnonicle. Enjoy. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/12/30/MN571AV6P0.DTLby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Definitely keeps out the middle class. Great job park service! I know some people think two hundred dollars a night at Wuksachi Lodge is affordable. It can get even higher during peak periods. I guess compared to air fare to Monte Carlo or a week at Disney World in Florida it is. But for most people it isn't. Yes you can get cheaper room rates if you go in October after Columbus Day. But forget tby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Makes sense to me. Time to move on and start using our forests responsibly. I like the fact that he's including private owners. Since they're the ones owning the land, they are key to the future of our forests. If we can work with them and create jobs then we're doing the right thing. Enough with the fighting. A forest that is left to burn because everyone is in court and can't figure out how toby rightstar76 - General Discussion
Guess I won't be able to explore those remote sequoia groves any more. I'll just have to stick to Muir Grove and not go any further. Does anyone know where exactly this raid took place?by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Managers will now be accountants and economists. Think they are going to be able to analyze revenue, supply and demand, and make adjustments as needed like the press release says? If you do, I have some land in Alaska I'd like to sell you. http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/712/files/2009FeeIncrease.pdf Oh and plan on spending $40 or more for a campsite. That's for cold water, stuffed up toiletsby rightstar76 - General Discussion
It's got to be fairtrade and organic or I don't buy. Fairtrade symbol (fairtradecertified.org). Somebody telling me the owner of the company is nice to the workers doesn't cut it and I hear it all the time. Divine Chocolate is fairtrade, organic and extremely good (divinechocolateusa.com). Too good in fact. You got to avoid that stuff or...by rightstar76 - General Discussion
Another idiot who was lucky. Maybe he will be paid $160,600 to tell his story.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
That's because of the bureaucracy. Somebody has to wait in line forever so that somebody else can do the job. That somebody else has no clue how the average person finds information. He/she assumes he/she knows best and does what he/she pleases. There's no accountability and no feedback because it's a bureaucracy. I speculate lots of people at the NPS are fuming because they want to change the weby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
And his bank account.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
Yup. Our friend Jamie Neale who got lost in Australia but who was rescued was paid $160,600 to talk about his experience. Go figure. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/19/international/i055404D81.DTLby rightstar76 - General Discussion
Why oh why do they keep doing that? When I climbed Mt Whitney the mountaineers route it was before the Internet. And yes, the couple behind me practically danced and kissed me when I told them I wasn't getting a permit for the trail. Yes that was back in the good old days when you could wait in line at 5 am and I was at the front of the line. I had a good time up there but going down the trailby rightstar76 - General Discussion
There is a place you can camp below the stairs on the granite area below the Half Dome cables. It's at the edge of the forest. But the nearest water is from a spring a mile down the trail. Not my favorite place.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
I had a wonderful experience near the camp last year. The night sky was gorgeous and the breakfast I had was healthy and organic. The best part was that it didn't cost me more than a tank of gas, the entrance fee and the cost of the food. That's because I stayed at Buck Meadow Campground off Big Meadow Road. I guess I could have spent 500 dollars for a tent cabin, and bacon and eggs. But I don'tby rightstar76 - General Discussion
Totally agree. It's not the admission that gets you. It's the lodging and campground fees. The concession stands. Gas too depending on where you are coming. I wish there was affordable lodging and camping. Twenty bucks off won't cut it.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
I am sick of all these writers telling the world about the latest greatest hike. What do they want another Half Dome frenzy? Best leave it to bloggers and hiking boards to write about the latest hike. If someone finds out that way, terrific. But to put it in a big newspaper so that everyone can come in a big stampede, I wish they wouldn't.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
I've been to these sales and they are a crap shoot. If you're in the right place at the right time you might save a lot of money. Otherwise, forget it. And that's most of the time. Let's face it. If you're buying one important item like a sleeping bag, it's best to spend an extra hundred dollars to get it right. After all, it can mean life or death in the backcountry. When it's not in the garageby rightstar76 - General Discussion
I had to backtrack on my opinion after doing some research. It's been a while since I hiked Half Dome. I was really shocked to see how congested it has gotten. Nobody hiked in Teva sandals when I did it. I also don't recall anyone going outside the cables. It was a different era. I think a permit system might be a good idea and hiking boots should be required. Not because it would prevent anotby rightstar76 - General Discussion
I think it's a great idea. Park Ridge has a bunch of towers already so one more won't hurt. Also, I would love not to have to go to the payphone with a calling card every time I need to make a phone call. Plus, cell phone coverage in the backcountry is not a bad idea. Sure beats having to carry a satellite phone and is a lot cheaper. Is no substitute for a PLB though.by rightstar76 - General Discussion
This is one of the good things the Internet has done. We now have ways of communicating and sharing information that the bureaucracy won't permit. Can you imagine what it would be like if the NPS ran this site? Thanks eeek for making this board a success!by rightstar76 - General Discussion