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Post by burntfoot on Mar 31, 2020 18:18:21 GMT -8
Just yesterday, I saw a car with a Texas license plate and 2 kayaks on top. I was not happy. Especially since we went on a stay-at-home order last Wednesday.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 31, 2020 21:08:38 GMT -8
Though to be fair there’s undoubtedly a lot of full timers out there caught a long ways from “home” base.
Vanlifers in their twenties on up to retirees. I chatted with quite a few national park campground hosts who hadn’t been back to their base state in more than a year.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Mar 31, 2020 21:37:15 GMT -8
It's hard to think that far ahead. I'm more concerned about being able to find food for two months instead of two weeks. I figure that's about when the folks in NJ will be allowed out. It might be about that way on the west coast, too. I figure the mountain states will be 4-6 weeks after that. Strangely enough, I just had the same thought tonight while watching the new projections I saw on Rachel Maddow. The idea, presented on that show, that we will see the "peak" in cases in about 14 days, seems bogus to me. I've thought all along that we'd be going for another 30 days, but even that seems optimistic given a simple comparison between the the US and China on 1) steps China took to mitigate (locked down Wuhan area completely) 2) availability of protective gear(masks and gowns) and hospital beds/staff. China was in the top growth area for the disease for 26 days or so. We've only been in that area for 13 days or so. We 1) don't have adequate mitigation going forward and 2) don't have adequate protective gear and (at least in the case of New York) hospital accommodations. I think we're looking at at least another 30 days of this level of growth at a minimum, meaning this will get to at least May 1 - and probably later for another 2 weeks or so - before we reach a "peak" and start to "flatten the curve". That's a hell of a long time.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 1, 2020 7:57:06 GMT -8
I think we're looking at at least another 30 days of this level of growth at a minimum, meaning this will get to at least May 1 - and probably later for another 2 weeks or so - before we reach a "peak" and start to "flatten the curve". That's a hell of a long time. The numbers are depressing but real. Actually in some form we will be locked down until a vaccine becomes widely available. Hopefully lock downs will be loosened enough to allow some backpacking use. Also it is looking likely that we will have to be vaccinated every year for the indefinite future (years).
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Apr 1, 2020 17:42:47 GMT -8
Cancelled AT 500 mile section hike. Have 6 day permit for the Maze starting May 1st. Probably a no go.
Here in Utah we are asked to stay home except for essential travel. Traveling within your county for outdoor recreation is deemed essential.
First idea was to go backpacking in a very large, uninhabited area of the West Desert. There are terrific off-trail hikes not in guidebooks. Most hike the several popular check list "must-do" hikes, which can be avoided.
Got to thinking, probably a bad idea. I can do it without human contact, but what if, on the 100 in 1 chance I incur a vehicle failure or injury. That's really bad and disrespectful for those impacted. The two-three local towns (60 or more miles away) are tiny, more tiny and super tiny.
So I spent the day surveying hiking trailheads in Salt Lake County. Trailhead parking lots jammed packed and overflowing like a summer weekend. It appears the Governor's Stay at Home directive is a joke. So much for social distance.
Wondering if my conscious will be clear...... if I travel one county over.
Need a hike really, really bad, within reason based on the situation.
Very tempted to cross the county line!
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Post by hikerjer on Apr 2, 2020 7:48:03 GMT -8
I hear you Westy. I struggle with the same dilemma. Don’t we all? While we have numerous pretty fair hiking in the immediate vicinity of town, the mountains and best hiking are the next county over. I’ve decided to forego them and stay near to home for the reasons you mentioned - chance of an accident or injury. Hope to get out on the bicycle for some long rides as soon as our weather improves. It’s 17 degrees and snowing right now.
Hang in there everyone.
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Apr 2, 2020 8:46:46 GMT -8
...Very tempted to cross the county line! Utah still doesn't have a shelter in place order only a recommendation. It is local authorities that have reason to expand official orders that have been speaking to the public as though there is restrictive county guidelines even if there is not, because if they do not, one can be sure not a few will interpret such to mean they can drive anywhere. Not an issue for many experienced outdoor hiking enthusiasts but an issue for the vast numbers of social media driven urban people that cannot drive more than short distances without stopping for usual gas station, food, and restroom needs. Simple reality is that many people do not have much common sense that has been readily shown to be the case during these initial 3 weeks.
Although I've floated a few trips on web forums of taking day trips to ski and hike, reality is I have stayed close to home with no drive to day trips as the grim reality of the global human situation on my conscience has tempered any enthusiasm. As the shelter in place days add up and local regional culture settles into appropriate behaviors, I may still do local day trips to remote places requiring driving for no more than an hour and without any consideration of county boundaries as I feel that meets the spirit of the order.
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Post by BorderCollieMike on Apr 7, 2020 19:15:24 GMT -8
... reality is I have stayed close to home with no drive to day trips as the grim reality of the global human situation on my conscience has tempered any enthusiasm. As the shelter in place days add up and local regional culture settles into appropriate behaviors, I may still do local day trips to remote places requiring driving for no more than an hour and without any consideration of county boundaries as I feel that meets the spirit of the order. This is a tough one, isn't it? I came here to test the waters and the waters seem to be roiled. I want to drive to a trailhead 3 hours from my house and spend five nights in the wilderness. Won't need to stop for gas or food in either direction. Won't need to talk to a soul, just me & border collie Mike. But, if there is vehicle trouble or if on the hike I have an issue, then I may have to involve others. What's the responsible thing to do? USFS says the trails are open. But, they added, if they catch you in a hot springs it's a $10K fine. Holy cow.
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Apr 8, 2020 4:48:16 GMT -8
This is a tough one, isn't it? I came here to test the waters and the waters seem to be roiled. I want to drive to a trailhead 3 hours from my house and spend five nights in the wilderness. Won't need to stop for gas or food in either direction. Won't need to talk to a soul, just me & border collie Mike. But, if there is vehicle trouble or if on the hike I have an issue, then I may have to involve others. What's the responsible thing to do? USFS says the trails are open. Are we talking now, a month from now, in June...? If it's basic trail hiking, with minimal risk of injury or incident, and if your vehicle is reliable, then it's probably not an unreasonable thing to do. Of course, I don't know your home/family situation. I'd probably be unwilling to leave cell-phone range for 6 days right now, what with adult kids living in hot-spot cities, etc.
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Post by BorderCollieMike on Apr 8, 2020 7:40:50 GMT -8
Are we talking now, a month from now, in June...? If it's basic trail hiking, with minimal risk of injury or incident, and if your vehicle is reliable, then it's probably not an unreasonable thing to do. Of course, I don't know your home/family situation. I'd probably be unwilling to leave cell-phone range for 6 days right now, what with adult kids living in hot-spot cities, etc. Good points. My plans were for next week (my b'day). Easy trail hiking and a brand new truck, so minimal risk, but not zero. I carry an inReach, so if someone really needs to reach me they can, although I discourage it. Another wrinkle - this morning I read this in the NYT. Now I have to worry my "irresponsible behavior" could get me lumped in with this gang of idiots. What is it about Idaho that attracts these clowns? 99.99% of the state abhors their behavior. Our local paper even ran an editorial this morning lambasting it.
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crawford
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Post by crawford on Apr 9, 2020 5:55:10 GMT -8
Yes, I've seen similar things to your NYT article here in PA. Some folks see this as a movement towards the "New World Order" and "they've got the evidence to prove it." I've cancelled three weekend backpack trips (between April and June). I may try to get out in May, but if there is a shelter in place order I don't think I would want to violate it. The AT is right behind my house (2 mile walk to the trailhead) but it is pretty busy right now.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 9, 2020 10:45:09 GMT -8
The AT is right behind my house (2 mile walk to the trailhead) but it is pretty busy right now. It doesn't help that all NJ state and county parks are closed.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Apr 9, 2020 19:04:59 GMT -8
I struggle with the same dilemma. Don’t we all? Adapting to local hiking possibilities IAW (in accordance) with Governor's Directive. At present, most local trailheads are packed, with further constraint of an above average snowpack minimizing hiking trail supply. Fortunately, my target area is the least desirable, thus making it perfect for my contrarian style. Not in guidebooks, minimal social media, minuscule All Trails app exposure. Oquirrh Mountains, UT - Scouting possibilities for multi-day snow summit and as snowpack regresses, an off-trail ridge traverseSummit very distant, behind all the ridges. Yesterday was first reconnaissance hike to sort out a route. Likely will require two more look-see hikes and probably two camps.Salt Lake Valley and the Wasatch Front - Where the Hikers are Approach features a scrub oak tunnel or as a realtor would describe, "Prime Gambrel Oak FloraIn the end, found my short-term (hopefully) spot. Have a place to go even if it's just mental!
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Apr 10, 2020 6:43:21 GMT -8
Sounds like the administration is really planning to start reopening the economy in May, but (leaving the national politics to TPA) it’ll come down to the interplay of the federal govt - individual governors and then internal small town dynamics (as hikers, like other tourists, usually stop for gas, snacks, and perhaps a meal or even lodging). Some business people may pressure for a reopening while retirees and other “set” residents may want to keep the town closed.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 10, 2020 7:07:33 GMT -8
Opening up will be a disaster unless it is backed up by widespread testing and effective tracking on the infections.
How would everyone feel if you had to provide a recent clear antibody test result in order the park and/or get trail permits? Maybe also have to log your routes and camps so that if an infected person did get on the trails their possible contacts could be followed.
Might sound pretty severe but remember that the vast majority of humans do not have any immunity.
What price would you pay to have some access to hiking again?
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