The Decalibron 14ers Are Closing Again

[rijaca]

“The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"

[Ptglhs]

If I may please....

Why should the 14ers be in the public domain?

Why should unused land be private, or at least inaccessible? It's land, much like air or water. This is the planet we live on. Things which lay fallow should be all of ours to walk across, to see, to feel, to experience. (Again, land not being used, big difference between undeveloped forest and tundra vs an active mine or logging or ranching or someone's home).

[Chicago Transplant]

Ski areas have signs stating "marked and unmarked hazards exist" all the time. I would think that is good enough.

If it were that simple, Decalibron and Lindsey would be open right now. CMC has worked with John Reiber for years to improve signage and take other steps to try and address this issue. Clearly it hasn't been enough, which is why a legislative fix is needed.

I'm saying it should be that simple, and think the legislative fix can be equally as simple. The law should be that if you post a sign with those words at your primary access points then nobody can sue you.

Outdoor activities have inherent risk, we all seem to agree that you shouldn't be able to sue anyone over them.

[Dave B]

“The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"

This felt worth repeating.

[cyrrus]

Is Mt Buckskin also closed?

[lodgling]

Not knowing much about the process other than seeing the ballots littered with initiatives (which suggests getting it on a ballot is relatively easy), can’t this be accomplished by getting it on a ballot?

[desertdog]

Things sure are more complicated these days. Used to be the only thing you had to worry about when hiking a 14er was falling back down the hill. I'm glad I got them done a while ago. Age has its privileges.

[Ptglhs]

“The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"

Every problem has a Final Solution.

[John Landers]

Not knowing much about the process other than seeing the ballots littered with initiatives (which suggests getting it on a ballot is relatively easy), can’t this be accomplished by getting it on a ballot?

I am not an authority on the ballet initiative process, but according to a 9 News story from last August, getting enough signatures to get something on the ballot is a challenge without paid canvassers to collect the necessary signatures. That takes some substanial money.

Next, you are going to need voters that are interested in and educated on the proposed initiative. There are certainly a lot of outdoor recreation enthusiasts in the state that if educated on the subject are likely to vote favorably. But, how many voters that aren't personally interested in an initiative and aren't educated on the specifics vote affirmativelly to change something? I am going to suggest that is a challenge.

https://www.9news.com/article/news/poli ... 2ba8cd746d

[Carl_Healy]

If it could be timed appropriately to be effectual in some way at resolving this issue I'd suggest a rally on the steps of the state capitol if it hasn't been suggested already.

I don't know when that would be... Around the time of the re-introduction of the bill? Timed to best publicly support a ballot initiative?
I don't know the answer to that question, but whenever it would be I would suggest one thing and one thing only: you attend in full mountaineering attire.

• Mountaineers wearing crampons and ice axes
• Lightning ascent snow shoes
• Ski mountaineers with Alpine Touring skis and ski crampons
• Climbers wearing harnesses with more carabiners attached than would ever make sense
• If you have an 8000 m jacket wear that while roped in to a group ascending the steps the the state capitol, even if it's July (just please don't die from heat exhaustion)

Ok yes that sounds absurd but surely such an absurd spectacle would attract the attention of local news and help increase public support for the resolution of this issue? Whatever and whenever that might be?

[amderr22]

If it could be timed appropriately to be effectual in some way at resolving this issue I'd suggest a rally on the steps of the state capitol if it hasn't been suggested already.

I don't know when that would be... Around the time of the re-introduction of the bill? Timed to best publicly support a ballot initiative?
I don't know the answer to that question, but whenever it would be I would suggest one thing and one thing only: you attend in full mountaineering attire.

• Mountaineers wearing crampons and ice axes
• Lightning ascent snow shoes
• Ski mountaineers with Alpine Touring skis and ski crampons
• Climbers wearing harnesses with more carabiners attached than would ever make sense
• If you have an 8000 m jacket wear that while roped in to a group ascending the steps the the state capitol, even if it's July (just please don't die from heat exhaustion)

Ok yes that sounds absurd but surely such an absurd spectacle would attract the attention of local news and help increase public support for the resolution of this issue? Whatever and whenever that might be?

Completely serious - I think this is a fantastic idea. Media attention is great. I think this would probably be well-timed next winter when they re-introduce the bill, right when we need to maximize pressure on the Senate and ensure the public is watching the issue. Really, a wild idea, but I think it would be effective - and fun!

[cougar]

An issue with the rally or ballot measure is it would draw even more attention to the already crowded 14ers, if that's what is highlighted. More red tape in other ways, although we may get legal access in the end. Although legislation would apply to other areas and peaks. A better way to pitch it is all landowners/homeowners can avoid being sued by whoever visits the property. Homeowners insurance usually covers this up to some amount. Maybe have CFI and similar orgs with petitions at the popular trailheads. Can an online petition be set up here?