View Full Version : While hiking in the woods today.....
BK-72
06-05-2009, 07:23 PM
So I was doing my standard Friday 6 mile hike at Old Man's Cave today, on the last stretch of it actually, and am confronted by nearly 2 dozen charging kids, aged perhaps 8 to 10.
Stepping aside, I hear several kids mumbling that they need to find their "buddy" as they run past.
My first thought was, "Who the heck is in charge here?!" seeing all these kids.
I noticed that most, not ALL, had a kiddie backpack - perhaps a paper lunch bag inside and hopefully some water.
Finally at the end I see two adults. Neither of whom had packs of their own. I asked if they were in charge. Yes they were. Are they the only two?? Yes again. Do you think it might be a good idea to keep the kids in a straight line and to WALK instead of run, and to just maybe one of you should be in front of the line?!?! (Deer in headlight looking at me). Did they have a first aid kit? Nope. Do you realize you are on the toughest trail in the park?? (More staring).
I asked what group/organization they were with and they refused to tell me, and I told them they better catch up with the kids and take some of my advice in handling them.
I didn't see a school bus in the parking lot when I got back, so I'm guessing they were with some kind of youth group or maybe even a daycare center.
I don't think I was out of line. I do wish I could have found out what group they belonged too though. :sneaky2:
crashdive123
06-05-2009, 07:30 PM
Not out of line at all. Hopefully you planted a few seeds. Problem is it may be unfertile soil.
gryffynklm
06-05-2009, 07:54 PM
Second in difficulty only to herding cats is herding 8 to 10 year olds.
I hope they thought about what you said and took control.
doren
06-05-2009, 08:25 PM
Leashes and taking candy away from them helps.
I've seen unruly kids in public. The few times I have said anything to their parents is something to the tone of, "There are leash laws in the state of Tennessee." To which I get a similar response of, "How dare you call my kids animals." Then my following statement of, "If you are going to let you children run around like wild animals, then they should be treated as such."
I choose not to have children because I'm afraid of screwing it up.
If twenty 8-10 years olds are screaming and running in the woods and there are no old men to hear them do they make any noise?
Sourdough
06-05-2009, 09:09 PM
Try herding a Gaggle of Gigging Geese into the coral every night.
Try herding a Gaggle of Gigging Geese into the coral every night.
Does a Goose Goose you as you are Gathering the Gigging Gaggle of Geese?
BK-72
07-20-2009, 05:36 PM
Sorry to bump a old thread, but thought this was worth noting.
This place had a person fall to their death over the weekend, a 15 year old on a church outing. Apparently there have been four deaths due to falls since 2001 at this location. The paths are well marked, but people just like the edge I guess.
Not sure why there are not rails, perhaps they feel it will spoil the beauty of the place, or more likely it's costly to install and maintain.
It's just sad that it had to happen when it could be so easily prevented.
Tiffany_2009
07-20-2009, 05:58 PM
That's so sad! I live by Crater Lake Naional Park and the trails are very steep and dangerous and they have deaths every year from accidents because they will not put up rails along the trails. I am not sure why because I'm sure the falls could be prevented! SMH...doesn't make sense to me!
Looks like the poor kid went off-trail.
Fences and barriers are okay at roadside "lookouts." On trails and off-road, they'd be near impossible to maintain. Erosion and rock slides cause them to be potentially high-maintenance items.
Besides, they would just open up a real liability issue. Someone falls off of a cliff - it's a sad accident. If a fence isn't maintained, or isn't repaired if vandalized, or just plain old breaks or doesn't stop a fall/death, it's a lawsuit. Guaranteed.
Tiffany_2009
07-20-2009, 08:12 PM
Looks like the poor kid went off-trail.
Fences and barriers are okay at roadside "lookouts." On trails and off-road, they'd be near impossible to maintain. Erosion and rock slides cause them to be potentially high-maintenance items.
Besides, they would just open up a real liability issue. Someone falls off of a cliff - it's a sad accident. If a fence isn't maintained, or isn't repaired if vandalized, or just plain old breaks or doesn't stop a fall/death, it's a lawsuit. Guaranteed.
Wow! I never thought of it like that but you are definitely right! Sheesh...I'm even more scared to look out when there's no hand rail or fence or anything to "protect" me! But I'm also just a big chicken at times! :helpsmilie:
crashdive123
07-20-2009, 08:14 PM
I know that some places will put in hand holds or railings in areas that they deem more dangerous than the average trail condition. I remember hiking in the Olympic Mountains on a particularly steep area. Spent a few days at a glacier fed lake without another sole in sight (I had a hiking partner). On our way down, there was a group of four teenagers on the trail (lower section). They were upset that nobody had put stairs in to make it easier to get up the trail. I was soooooooooo thankful that idiots like that think it is too much effort to make the climb.
Tiffany_2009
08-03-2009, 03:59 PM
So I found out a few days ago a woman slid down one of the embankments at Crater Lake not too long ago...they were able to rescue her and she's fine but why people feel the need to go so close to the edges beats me!
I don't think they really intend to whoooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
skookumchetwoot
12-15-2010, 03:59 PM
No, you weren't out of line. Sort of. It's really none of your business what organization they're with. And it's really none of your business whether they have a first aid kit. Unless you have a green State Forestry uniform on, it's best you keep your comments to yourself. It would be better to politely inform these adults of the dangers, if any, that can be encountered on this particular trail. Small children on trails is way better than small children on city streets.
Whoa! Kind of a strong first post there skookums. Maybe it was his business. He might just be an LEO for that area for all you know.
Why not offer up Mea Culpas on your way over to our Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself?
LowKey
12-15-2010, 10:26 PM
Why did you post your question on the OSP maintenance program in the blog section? Bots eat email addies for breakfast and could give you spam by supper. ;)
Have you tried contacting the Fish and Wildlife or Outdoor Recreational Division of the State Police to see if they even offer the program any more?
The bots had him before he typed the last period on the blog. They run this forum constantly. When I look at visitors I always see several bots running around.
glockcop
12-16-2010, 03:56 PM
Not out of line at all. Hopefully you planted a few seeds. Problem is it may be unfertile soil.
Crash, I could't have said it better myself.
glockcop
12-16-2010, 04:00 PM
No, you weren't out of line. Sort of. It's really none of your business what organization they're with. And it's really none of your business whether they have a first aid kit. Unless you have a green State Forestry uniform on, it's best you keep your comments to yourself. It would be better to politely inform these adults of the dangers, if any, that can be encountered on this particular trail. Small children on trails is way better than small children on city streets.
Sorry, Brother. Can't agree with that. When children's safety are in question it's EVERYONE'S business. Also, sorry to bump an old post too.
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