Ultra Runner in Court for Cutting Switchback

[nyker]

Or convert all the switchbacked trails in Colorado to like they have in New York mountains; No switchbacks, just straight up regardless of the terrain in their way.

I noticed that about the northeastern peaks. Since I don't live there I have only done a few in the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, and in Maine, but on all of them there have been little to no switchbacks. Thankfully, the elevation is lower because they would be a real PITA if they weren't. Due to the erosion, the trails are littered with boulders that can often be waist high or higher in some places.

Agree, if these were 8-10 thousand feet higher, I think most would be multi-day trips dry and just really tough expedition-like climbs. As it is in winter many are multi-day trips.

[justiner]

^ "Things get ugly in these threads. Bummer to see."

Some of the elite mountaineers ( like Justiner ) are our role models

Others ... not so much

Good podcast ep. with Will Gadd and Steve House --

https://uphillathlete.com/voiceofthemou ... d-podcast/

two people who have done very high consequence feats in their 20's, 30's to then perhaps reflect back and realize they would not make (or even NEED to make) those decisions in the here and now. Will talks about a shift in thinking about the younger generation when he sees them break from the Way It's Been Done or other unwritten code of ethics. Instead of calling them out, he brings them in and LISTENS to them and first tries to understand why they are approaching their goals the way the are. Only then will he offer any perhaps unsolicited feedback. Rather than creating animosity between the young guns and old guard, this forges a relationship, at least in positive communication. It's also a way to not forget that at one time they themselves were the young, stupid, brash, idiots barely dodging the mistakes of their own creation in the attempt to do what's never been done. Maybe we don't know what we don't know is another way of thinking about it.

I think that's a lot more healthier of a tactic than just disparaging an individual (and getting pretty personal about it) for I think an infraction that may not be the most important thing going on in this very evil world. I hate for this forum to just become one of these after another, but I fear I see a trend.

I won't go so far as defend their course cutting or his initial reactions, but I'm in Listening Mode to understand what's going on and try to interpret what could be a reasonable response. And it's also not my job to judge. I don't know the area, this kid, the route, the record, etc. And it's literally someone else's job is "judge", who is currently pondering on what to do in this appeal.

I have to be honest in saying that I didn't know that cutting a switchback is some sort of codified offense and one that could take such a heavy levy from the guilty. Very interesting. National Parks are, I guess, a more special place in some ways than other public lands, but in some ways they're far more theme park. Grand Teton "The Ride" if I'm to tease. I know that plays into all this -- big can of worms.

Anyways, if I could bring this around to more personal things, I have been often critique that I react more than I respond, especially when I get into a "heated conversation" with someone I'm in a relationship with. And my shield was being in total denial that I was doing this. Pretty easy trick to do! And no amount of reasoning from whomever would get my out of that trance -- eventually they would just leave me alone, which seems to be the message I was trying to convey. I don't know what snapped me out, but it was one of those, "aha" moments that denial over taking responsibility of my actions was one of things that was holding me back in my life.

So I dunno, I'm reading a lot of reaction subtext to the news about this one run, and it's a little triggering now that I know how damaging that is. I would have hoped that we who go into the hills to try to find a better version of ourselves away from the complications of daily life could not have bred so much animosity towards one person who's really just doing the same thing as us, but in a culturally different way. I have to appeal to the hope that we are all much better than that.

And I'm also anticipating the decision of the judge when it comes to this case.

[SkaredShtles]

I have to be honest in saying that I didn't know that cutting a switchback is some sort of codified offense and one that could take such a heavy levy from the guilty. Very interesting. National Parks are, I guess, a more special place in some ways than other public lands,

This is the crux of this particular case, IMO.

[Bill G]

I have to be honest in saying that I didn't know that cutting a switchback is some sort of codified offense and one that could take such a heavy levy from the guilty. Very interesting. National Parks are, I guess, a more special place in some ways than other public lands,

This is the crux of this particular case, IMO.

Neil Gorsuch published a book last year "Over Ruled". It contains scenarios such as this and how these rules get created. Congress played no part in creating the rules. He also points out that it is literally impossible to know all these rules exist. You'd have to read thru a quarter million pages.

[Monte Meals]

^ "it is literally impossible to know all these rules exist."

You have got to be really stupid to think that cutting a switch back is OK

[dwoodward13]

^ "it is literally impossible to know all these rules exist."

You have got to be really stupid to think that cutting a switch back is OK

Especially when its apparently signed as do not use/closed as an earlier commenter said. Instead of reading a quarter million pages you just have to read one line on a post!

[nyker]

For this case, it's not just about cutting a switchback, but the broad public advertising and promotion of the individual and doing it so everyone is aware and him trying to get the FKT accolade; if some random unsponsored climber quietly cut a switchback on their private unpublicized climb and didn't seek to submit a FKT or win any award, more than likely we'd never hear about it and if the NPS did find out, they'd probably give you a warning and you'd be on your way. But when its loudly broadcast in the public domain and there is money being made off of the effort, then being rejected by FKT he put the NPS and the "trail authorities" whomever that means, in a tough position where they are forced to respond and make an example of that person. If you're going to live in the public eye, then you need to withstand the public scrutiny that comes with it. Also his comment that “If I had to make this choice again, I would 100% make the exact same choice.” probably didn't help showing a lack of remorse.

Best thing for him to do is to just show regret, apologize, move one and climb it again, he should be able to get the FKT in a clean way I'd think...

[vertical_volume]

Sadly, they are making an example out of him for everyone else. Michelino seems like a great guy, the embodiment of stoke/the outdoors/etc and he doesn’t deserve this but, much to his chagrin, he decided to do it when there was an audience, and there’s clear evidence of it so the NPS is taking full advantage to show everyone else they can do this to you if you cut switchbacks.

To the NPS: go ahead and prove your point but don’t ruin his life over an action you allow to happen every day without consequence. Make him take sustainability classes and put in a summer of trail work, pursing anything more than proving your point to Michelino and the world is an embarrassment of the NPS and what they stand for. Now, if another person did this down the road after this case has concluded, persecute to no end; at that point the statement was clear and was ignored.

[nyker]

Yea, I think the community service idea of doing erosion-fighting trail work for a season or year would be of more value than just paying a fine that the sponsor would probably pay. Would appease the press too.

[XterraRob]

They should deputize him then make him patrol the trails and arrest people who go off-trail. Arm him with a can of bear mace in case any of those hikers want to talk back. Then live-stream it.