Vandalism in the eastern Sierra
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
I am really bummed to see the Shulman Visitor Center burned. We were just up there a month or two ago. It really does not make any sense that any type of environmentalists would be responsible for burning the place down. It is remote. It is not near any significant off-roading areas.
My guess is that it was just some punk vandals. If not, I fear it was more likely someone against the wilderness bill. Not decent off-road people, but some punk off-road people.
I spent over three hours at the last meeting in Bishop waiting for my chance to speak up. There were a lot of loud and angry off-roaders at the meeting. They were yelling and booing when others had their 2 minutes at the microphone. It was not a good showing for the off-road crowd. Most ended up walking out of the meeting without even providing any input into the process, other than yelling other people down.
People who live here have a lot of different views on the issue. Some are ardent members of the off-road crowd and others are looking to lock much of the land away. Still many are for responsible mixed use.
Anyone who comes to the Eastern Sierra in an off-road vehicle must want to protect the area at some level. Surely there are more challenging and closer trails that would not require such a long drive. We come here because we love the place. And because so many people come here, it does make sense that the land is managed. To protect it for all uses, including off-roading. None of us want to see areas locked away. But we also want it protected for our own use.
Packers are facing similar issues to the off-road crowd. We are not going to be doing ourselves any favor by arguing to limit access to anyone.
I live on both sides of the fence in regards to the wilderness issues. I love the outdoors and generally agree with preserving many areas. At the same time, I have a disability, so our Jeep is what gets me out to explore beautiful places. And my wife has worked most of her life as an outdoor educator and park ranger.
The emotions run high on issues like this. With each side feeling deep down that they are in the right. And at some level, they both are.
My guess is that it was just some punk vandals. If not, I fear it was more likely someone against the wilderness bill. Not decent off-road people, but some punk off-road people.
I spent over three hours at the last meeting in Bishop waiting for my chance to speak up. There were a lot of loud and angry off-roaders at the meeting. They were yelling and booing when others had their 2 minutes at the microphone. It was not a good showing for the off-road crowd. Most ended up walking out of the meeting without even providing any input into the process, other than yelling other people down.
People who live here have a lot of different views on the issue. Some are ardent members of the off-road crowd and others are looking to lock much of the land away. Still many are for responsible mixed use.
Anyone who comes to the Eastern Sierra in an off-road vehicle must want to protect the area at some level. Surely there are more challenging and closer trails that would not require such a long drive. We come here because we love the place. And because so many people come here, it does make sense that the land is managed. To protect it for all uses, including off-roading. None of us want to see areas locked away. But we also want it protected for our own use.
Packers are facing similar issues to the off-road crowd. We are not going to be doing ourselves any favor by arguing to limit access to anyone.
I live on both sides of the fence in regards to the wilderness issues. I love the outdoors and generally agree with preserving many areas. At the same time, I have a disability, so our Jeep is what gets me out to explore beautiful places. And my wife has worked most of her life as an outdoor educator and park ranger.
The emotions run high on issues like this. With each side feeling deep down that they are in the right. And at some level, they both are.
Last edited by driley; Sep 8, 2008 at 05:26 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Redlands, CA
Lots of speculation, I love how the offroad community gets tossed in. I grew up in a remote part of the country and took a lot of things for granted, had access to tons of cool areas. Lots of freedom to explore, hunt, fish, etc...
Then I moved to California, where trails are highways and people are all over. First hand account that the idiot factor increases as more people populate the back woods. I have to worry about getting shot half the time, some moron is backwoods shooting without checking the area.
I was at a campsite this year and my brother almost got shot cuz some indiot loaded his 22 around the campfire. To put the fire out he dumped dirt on it and bang, loose round fires, we look around and there is a bunch of lives rounds scoured throughout the dirt. I also see broken glass in places that make you wonder. I have always enjoyed shooting, but why do people feel like bottles make good targets.
I always am worred that my dogs are going to get messed up on the glass.
I guess it is time to move!
Then I moved to California, where trails are highways and people are all over. First hand account that the idiot factor increases as more people populate the back woods. I have to worry about getting shot half the time, some moron is backwoods shooting without checking the area.
I was at a campsite this year and my brother almost got shot cuz some indiot loaded his 22 around the campfire. To put the fire out he dumped dirt on it and bang, loose round fires, we look around and there is a bunch of lives rounds scoured throughout the dirt. I also see broken glass in places that make you wonder. I have always enjoyed shooting, but why do people feel like bottles make good targets.
I always am worred that my dogs are going to get messed up on the glass.
I guess it is time to move!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
Looks like they may have caught the responsible guy. If he is the guy, it is definitely not an off-roader. But probably not an act of environmental terrorism either. They guy is an outdoorsman and hiker, but he seems to think that the government has implanted chips in his head. So the actions may have been somewhat anti-government in nature.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Kinda sad really, if it wasn't for all of the damage he's caused. The guy is apparently a fairly well-known mountaineer (sumitted Everest, among others).
Here's an informative article about how he was caught. Looks like right now they believe they have enough on him for the trailhead vandalism, but not for the fire at the Visitor Center or the damage to the White Mountain summit station.
http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/.../view/1285/48/
If you want a real trip, check out his MySpace page! You can find his blog on the top right and read his ramblings about the chip the government implanted in his brain. Scary shit!
Here's an informative article about how he was caught. Looks like right now they believe they have enough on him for the trailhead vandalism, but not for the fire at the Visitor Center or the damage to the White Mountain summit station.
http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/.../view/1285/48/
If you want a real trip, check out his MySpace page! You can find his blog on the top right and read his ramblings about the chip the government implanted in his brain. Scary shit!
