In my experience, the rules about stopping for pedestrians even in unmarked crosswalks (rarely happens), driving with parking lights, and the right of way rules at 4-way stops (first to arrive should be given right of way) are often misunderstood as well. http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21950.htm http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/right_of_way.htmby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Does "closed" mean that a citation can be issued or that travel is just not recommended?by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Anyone driving through Joshua Tree, CA can stop at the Crossroads Cafe and see one: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CIw0-GcgO0bnCe9y1tFnUA?select=FhlNj-kl3KfzrlaQY5c-_Qby Frank Furter - Photography advice, critiques and tutorials
Some useful info here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1308758/pdf/westjmed00315-0068.pdfby Frank Furter - General Discussion
I was pleasantly surprised to find that I no longer need to buy an Annual Pass but now qualify for the over 62 Senior Pass. Anyone have experience getting a decal for a vehicle as mentioned on the following website: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html The site suggests that the decal is for "open-topped" vehicles, but I wonder if it can be obtained and used on more conventional vby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Generally, weight for weight, fats have the highest caloric value compared to protein and carbohydrates (9 Cal/gram vs about 4 Cal/gram). Exercise, metabolism, your weight and ambient temperature will influence how many calories you will need to maintain your weight (if that is important to you). For short durations and without unusual medical problems, you do not need to worry much about essenby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotey_p_w .....a small bottle of medical-grade alcohol and bring it up to about 6%. ..... Just to clarify, alcohol for medical applications is not necessarily for oral ingestion and there are a number of alcohol products used medically that are potentially toxic. Best to stick with a product like Everclear for your ethyl alcohol ingestion needs.by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Maybe it will allow Beer Pong,Mud Wrestling and carnival rides to finally make the National Forest interesting.by Frank Furter - General Discussion
Water treatment has been discussed here extensively. Those interested should pull up some of the research of Robert Derlet, MD (UCDavis). I have heard him speak of the subject of water in the Sierra and I think he would agree that the main offenders relate to human activity--- range animals, stock animals, and infection brought to the Backcountry by other hikers or incurred before backpacking (by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I find it interesting that rather than visitation going through the roof, it has been remarkably stable at about 4 million per year since 1996.by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteparklover My statement was not to be taken as an argument and nor do I want to get into one. It was just a comment why people might not believe in Global Warming. I We can have a discussion without acrimony. Do most people in this country still "believe" the earth as flat, even though it appears that way and we live our lifes, for the most part, as though the earth is flat?by Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quoteparklover Some places back east got their earliest snowfall since 1952, the Denver area had that huge snowfall and it is supposed to snow in again in Yosemite this week. Last winter was one of the worst in decades in some parts of the country. This might be one reason that not all people believe in Global Warming. Climate vs weather. The cooler North American weather last year was actuaby Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteDave Quotetelfair ave The choice would be clear in Snorkus' questions.....Why do we have to conform to his views of what we have to do? The issue, however poorly expressed, appears to be that using fossil fuel invalidates any "right to" criticism of the consequences of CO2 accumulation in the environment. That argument presumes that the choice to use fossil fuel is entirely inby Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteTefair ave QuoteFrank Furter QuoteThe one point is the solar energy point SNorkus brought up, that is the biggest waste and least green of just about any energy system. That may be your misplaced conclusion, however, there is nothing directly in the questions Snorkus presented to directly lead to that conclusion. Snorkus' post is ambiguous and as such I asked for a clearer statement.by Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quotesnorkus QuoteFrank Furter These sound more like rhetorical questions intended to be an argument against climate change concerns. If that is the case, perhaps you should be more direct in the point you are trying to make. I don't think that they are rhetorical questions for the discussion in this thread. If we are causing the climate changes, there are ways to alter the rate of change. Alsby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quotetelfair ave QuoteFrank Furter Quotesnorkus Just curious. How many of you folks: 1) Drive non-fossil fuel vehicles 2) Are off of the grid, using wind or solar power (or other) for your domicile? 3) Limit driving trips to Yosemite, to say once a year 4) How far away are you from Yosemite? I am curious about this because I am envious that many of you get there so often. These souby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quotesnorkus Just curious. How many of you folks: 1) Drive non-fossil fuel vehicles 2) Are off of the grid, using wind or solar power (or other) for your domicile? 3) Limit driving trips to Yosemite, to say once a year 4) How far away are you from Yosemite? I am curious about this because I am envious that many of you get there so often. These sound more like rhetorical questions iby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quoteplawrence While there are what one might call all-out-deniers, I think the vast majority of people accept the fact that the climate is changing. I think what's more under debate is what's causing the change? Are humans causing the change, and if so, do what degree? If that were true, the main discussion would focus on solutions to the issue. Unfortunately, that is not the case. For examplby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quotechicagocwright For the sake of argument: If you accepted the concept that climate change, human cause, etc is "unsettled science" then it is easier to understand the accusation that climate change is a "belief system" no different than someone who believes in whatever faith. It is similar to the arguments regarding Origin of Life. Creationists may argue that any giveby Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteDave QuoteFrank FurterWhat I find most puzzling about the climate discussion is that it seems to be inextricably linked to some sort of primordial emotional and religious response similar to the concept of heliocentric solar system or the theory of evolution. Often the term "believe" is linked to climate change. Science has nothing to do with belief. Belief is a religious concept.by Frank Furter - General Discussion
What I find most puzzling about the climate discussion is that it seems to be inextricably linked to some sort of primordial emotional and religious response similar to the concept of heliocentric solar system or the theory of evolution. Often the term "believe" is linked to climate change. Science has nothing to do with belief. Belief is a religious concept. Why to certain topics in sby Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteEchidna yes I must agree. Quite apart from the issue of what is possibly enjoyable about clinging to metal cables on such scary gradients - why go to a beautiful wilderness to spend the day crowded in with other people when there are so many beautiful places you can go to in the park without the crowds and the noise (and the cellphones)? Isn't that the point of going to a wilderness area - tby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotey_p_w QuoteFrank FurterPersonally, I think Half Dome passes should be for some interval-- a month or week, rather than a specific day. Also, a general backcountry day use permit process should exist to standardize the information transfer and give visitors a wake up to the risks in the backcountry. That permit could be accomplished via the internet. Perhaps the hardest personality to deby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotetraildad I can't say I really disagree with the concept. Which of those apply to Half Dome? #1 seems to be the majority of problems for the cables and even along the route there. A little interactive education could make a difference. I think all the categories of error can occur on Half Dome (as well as any other area of the backcountry). I guess in the perfect world, there would be a rby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I think there are four basic categories of human problems in the wilderness: 1. naive individual lacking knowledge of a situation (or a skilled person who has a brief lapse of judgment or a period of distraction) --- for example: stepping backward during a photo, misjudging the power of water or slipperiness of rocks, etc. 2. defiant individual (usually male) who understands a situation isby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotetraildad It seems that it is just too easy to get in way over their heads. Someone raised in the city just doesn't understand how isolated they are a few miles into the wilderness. Education seems to me to be the best, even though not perfect, solution. A simple test on the application form would help. Question #1, "What will you do if there is lightening in the area?" Answer, A: Rby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Large file redacted report: http://www.nps.gov/aboutus/foia/upload/Matayoshi-Fatality-Redacted.pdfby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quoteeeek QuoteOhnivy-DrakPreparation is the key. Learn how to use a compass, bring a whistle, carry a GPS, etc. And don't climb up something if you can't climb back down: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_18875654 Sometimes the trail does not go certain places for a reason: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/09/07/2173517/hiker-dies-on-mount-pilchuck.htmlby Frank Furter - General Discussion
What about White Wolf? And here is the proof:by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteherosemblem Yes, of course it would be your fault if the speed-limit driver rear ends you.. Is there now a minimum speed law on non-freeways in California? Historically, it was illegal to contact a preceding vehicle, even if slow moving. Rear ending another vehicle legally on the roadway indicates travel too fast for the conditions.by Frank Furter - General Discussion