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flhoodoo
Apr 19, 2005, 9:16 PM
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Registered: Nov 10, 2004
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Just curious to know what people's experiences with park rangers have been. Of course, I have heard stories of harassment and the like, but I have also heard good things. Myself, my experiences have ranged from indifference to benevolence. Just want to hear what y'all had to say.
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mother_sheep
Apr 19, 2005, 9:22 PM
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Depends on where you go I guess. The rangers that I've talked to in Rocky Mountain National Park, good experience. The rent a cops at Red Rocks. . .ASSHOLES! Yeah, I said it. . .they're ticket-happy assholes!!!! I felt like I was singled out there because I was a climber but perhaps I'm just bitter.
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charley
Apr 19, 2005, 9:41 PM
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Registered: Apr 13, 2002
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I never thought of you as bitter, ms. Always thought you were kinda sweet. Bwahaha. :lol:
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icenwy
Apr 19, 2005, 9:54 PM
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Registered: Feb 16, 2005
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Just like any profession, there are good ones and bad ones.
Met a couple nice guys from the Grand Teton NP over here in Cody ice climbing this winter. Good guys, they gave us whiskey back at the parking lot, and even offered to cough up some v-thread material(but we forget to grab it). I know an ex-ranger who worked in Josh and RMNP, and he is quality (even though he's an old geezer-haha Jeff!). I've even had a Yellowstone Ranger let me off going 60 in a 35 this last summer. Then, the guy who sets up are icefest here is or was a ranger.
Then, there are some jerks, but they seem to be in the minority. I have found that state park pigs are the worse with the exception of the rent-a-cops (mother sheep, I hear ya there). Anyone ever see "Men at Work?"
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theledge
Apr 19, 2005, 10:27 PM
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Registered: Jan 25, 2005
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I had some problems with a few in canyonlands, but for the most part I think they are quality people. At least they sought a job in the outdoors.
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mbg
Apr 19, 2005, 10:47 PM
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Registered: Apr 17, 2003
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I climbed with a law enforcement ranger (the kind that go to police academies and carry guns) quite a bit a few years ago and he was as cool as they come. I never interacted with him while he was "on the clock" but I doubt his persona changed much when working. The only thing he was edgy about was being present during the administering of rastafarian first aid.
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cintune
Apr 19, 2005, 10:49 PM
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Depends on the park; depends on the ranger. It's the young ones you have to be extra careful around, from my experience. Once they learn to distinguish genuine criminals from the badasses that inhabit their own imaginations, they're usually pretty cool. Of course there are always exceptions. But it can be a very stressful job, so they deserve respect. In general. Just don't make any sudden moves.
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walrus
Apr 20, 2005, 7:24 AM
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Registered: Oct 28, 2004
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What do they call them? I mean the nickname derived from either the ranger in the Yogi-Bear Cartoon or something I read in the Monkey Wrench Gang.
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alpinerockfiend
Apr 21, 2005, 4:42 AM
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In reply to: The only thing he was edgy about was being present during the administering of rastafarian first aid.
In reply to: Depends on the park; depends on the ranger. |
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cjstudent
Apr 21, 2005, 4:53 AM
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Registered: Oct 21, 2003
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I've had all good experiences....except with the head guy over law enforcement at J-tree. He's a bad apple. Wouldn't even let us into our campsite even though we had a parking pass (it was new years)...and then wouldnt even let us WALK into the campground to tell our friends that we made it to J-tree so they wouldnt worry about us.
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bandycoot
Apr 21, 2005, 5:18 AM
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Registered: Nov 25, 2002
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I've been pulled over and harassed in Yosemite for no reason. No ticket, no real reason given for pulling me over, nothing. They just harassed me. Nothing serious, but they were jerks.
I've also had a ranger in J-Tree be a complete bitch. We parked somewhere that wasn't labelled as illegal to park. It was in a dirt parking area, we were out of the way and clearly not off the road/parking area. The ranger (standing 15' away) waited until we had completely geared up and were walking from the car (about 5-10 minutes) then came over.
Ranger (In really bitchy rude tone the whole time): You can't park here.
Us (very friendly the whole time): Why not?
Ranger: Can't you read the sign?
Us: What sign?
Ranger: The sign that says you can't park here?
Us (honestly curious): Where?
Ranger: Down the road (she points down the dirt road past a sign that says something along the lines of Ranger's Only Past This Point).
Us: Uh... sorry, we didn't see the sign since we aren't allowed down that road.
Ranger: (Continued to be a bitch until we were done packing up the car and left.)
Us: (Figured there was no such sign.....)
I've also had good experiences with Rangers as well. I talked to Steven (?) a climbing ranger in J-Tree last sunday and he was a really nice guy! I think that there are good ones and there are bad ones. Just file complaints about the bad ones (something I've been lazy to do in the past but WILL do in the future) and hopefully they'll be weeded out or tone their attitude down.
Josh
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takanhase
Apr 21, 2005, 6:03 AM
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Registered: Mar 8, 2004
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So far all good encounters. I had a ranger stop by my camp in the Uinta mountain range of Utah, to have a few beers while discussing fire safety. And another time where two approached our camp in the wind rivers whileIn reply to: administering of rastafarian first aid. |
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jacobbelsher
Apr 21, 2005, 7:10 AM
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Registered: Apr 10, 2005
Posts: 147
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Rangers are lame. At least the Zion backcountry folks. What kind of person wants to enforce the rules anyway?
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josephgdawson
Apr 21, 2005, 7:12 AM
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Registered: Jan 20, 2004
Posts: 303
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Fuck Park Rangers
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