Publice Editor: Steep and deep

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

By Mike Bressler

Lots of newspaper articles about the avalanche on Taylor Mountain last week, masses of comments on blogs, and tons of righteous indignation. I hope a nuclear war doesn’t start the same week as an avalanche; the NaG wouldn’t know which to use as a lead story.

Starting a slide that buried the popular Coal Creek Trail was perhaps not the brightest thing one could do, but all of us who have spent time in the outdoors have screwed up; typically if we survive and our stupidity isn’t observed, let alone plastered all over the newspapers, we emerge relatively unscathed. There is no climber, no matter how careful, that hasn’t knocked a rock off during a climb or a skier who hasn’t moved some snow.

Molly Absolon’s article on the subject(“Snow Survey” 2/1/2012 NaG) expressed disdain at those who posted on a local website their belief that, once in the outdoors, they have no responsibility to act responsible. If they start an avalanche and bury someone below them, well it’s too bad but it’s the chance you take when you go skiing. Now there’s a self-centered arrogance that would make even Newt Gingrich blush.

I would bet a zillion dollars those who posted such have not been long in Wyoming. It would be like me hunting elk on Teton Pass, and upon seeing a flash in the brush, touching off a few rounds in the general direction and then explaining to the dead mountain biker’s family that it is a risk they take when in the wilderness. There are a gazillion (a zillion to the 10th power) wild and un-peopled places around Jackson to ski without restraint or responsibility; Teton Pass on a crowded powder day is not one of them.

The plethora of women in the woods articles last week, (JH Weekly’s piece on ski racer Resi Stiegler and another called “Celebrate women athletes” and our own JH Weekly food critic Dina Mishev’s piece in the NaG on skiing steep and deep) allows me an opportunity to comment on the disgraceful lack of trail etiquette displayed by many outdoor women. Passing OFM (old fat men) with a smile and “Nice day isn’t it?” while hiking up Glory is simply not cool. If you must pass, at least ask, “How is the snow?” This puts us OFM in the position of wise sage, respected elder and protector of the fair sex. Better yet, the question implies that we are on our second or even third lap, providing an excuse for being slow.

The same principle is true when passing an OFM on the bike path or running trail. A simple question, “How much farther to the Game Creek cutoff?” or “Is there danger from grizzlies on the bike path?” will sooth our damaged self-image. Don’t worry about sounding patronizing; the male ego is adept at turning fabrication into fact. A few other tips: When breaking trail because we’re too feeble or weak say. “Thanks; I know I slowed you down but I need the exercise.” If we fall say, “Dude you were ripping.” And if you change into a dry shirt on top of Glory Bowl, don’t turn away.
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Publice Editor: Steep and deep | Planet JH News Article: Editorial

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