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GPS Unit Leads Couple Into Trouble Near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Jun 9th - 16:35pm | MRC

Beyond civilization you have to think for your own. No navigation tools can do that for you. But with a GPS unit at least you know exactly where you are dying.

Jun 9th - 14:41pm | Bill R.

I have one of the earliest Motorola handhelds with the mounting unit for the roof of the Jeep Wrangler ($1,200 if that tells you how old it is) and even with topo maps find that GPS is good for getting into trouble or documenting where to send the coroner for people with no common sense. Have rescued two such individuals and one had shot his own foot off while hunting.

Jun 9th - 13:48pm | Fred Miller

I'm also glad that this story has a happy ending. But it is beyond my wildest imagination that people will venture FAR off the beaten path with NO preparation. Hopefully their near-disaster will be a valuable lesson to others!

Jun 9th - 12:17pm | Marylander

Oh my goodness. While I am glad that this story had a happy ending, it really brings to light the need to not become totally dependent on technology.

Creature Feature: Texas Banded Gecko

Jun 9th - 16:29pm | Fred Miller

This is a nifty-looking gecko. We have a bunch of them here in Hawaii (including IN my house), but none as patterned as this one.

A Sad Sign of the Times: NPS Promotes Body Armor Options To Rangers

Jun 9th - 16:00pm | Anonymous

If anyone is still looking at this sight google the names Joe Kolodski, Kris Eggle, Steve Jarrell all are Rangers who were shot to death in National Parks in the last 10 years. Of course you may think well that is only three Rangers in 10 years, but couple that with the statistics on how many Rangers that have been assaulted and an agency that sees law enforcement as a necessary evil.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Settlement Spawns Vandalism

Jun 9th - 15:56pm | Me

Better yet, they should bury them up to their necks on the beach and hope the birds nest in their hair.

Wolf Killed Illegally Near Grand Teton National Park, $3,000 Reward Offered

Jun 9th - 14:18pm | Rick Smith

Anon-- I love how tough you are. Rick Smith

Jun 8th - 22:20pm | Anonymous

what about animals that are not beautiful ? why are people so attached to the Wolf ? It is just as much a vicious predator as any other in the wilderness. Is it because it looks so much like a beloved pet dog ? Be it a wolf, a bear, wolverine or what have you. If I perceive it to be a threat to my life, its goin down.

Waterfall Along Dunloup Creek

Jun 9th - 13:06pm | pjtyler1928

I only have two small words for comment. "SIMPLY BREATHTAKING" Sincerely, Paula Jean Tyler

National Park Service Considering Commercial Developments for Alcatraz

Jun 9th - 12:00pm | Reed

I can't believe that the folks who offered comments are familiar with the Management Guidelines for the NPS and the legislation that created Golden Gate NRA of which Alcatraz is a part.

Jun 9th - 10:52am | Kath

I went to Alcatraz a couple of years ago. They could use a place to get a bite of lunch. As I recall, if you got hungry there were no places to eat. While some visitor's services like food and restrooms to make the visit pleasant and comfortable are necessary, overnight lodging though seems unnecessary.

Jun 8th - 04:55am | Anonymous

It's a fine line between a national park being a "park" and a commercial attraction. A strict limit on commercialization would seem to be needed, allowing revenue for the park and at the same time the park is remaining true to it's purpose.

Jun 7th - 21:49pm | Sabattis

I hope that Park advocates take a balanced look at this proposal. I think that a "night on Alcatraz" experience has a lot of potential to add value to the Park. Additionally, since this is an island in the middle of the Bay, additional visitor services would certainly have the opportunity to enhance the visitor experience, and to make it more enjoyable and comfortable.

National Park Quiz 5: Biggest This or That

Jun 9th - 09:09am | Bob Janiskee

Bob (Krumenaker), have you read Nevada Barr's two books set at ISRO? If so, are you interested in writing or collaborating on a review of Winter Study for Traveler? I'd really love to get an insider's view.

How Can We Build Advocates for the National Parks?

Jun 9th - 03:34am | jsmacdonald

Most people don't advocate for anything at all.

Jun 8th - 21:49pm | Fred Miller

Thanks for your comments Owen. I agree that Kurt does an outstanding job of demonstrating his love and concern for the Parks. The NPT is a daily read for me so that I can find out what's REALLY going on in the world. I join with you in saying, "Keep up the good work Kurt, and please don't get discouraged".

Jun 8th - 19:21pm | pkrnger

Kurt,

Jun 8th - 18:09pm | Fred Miller

Ouch!! You hit me hard with this one Kurt. I read the NPT daily but I rarely comment except for gun issues. We must ALL be enthusiastic about preserving our Parks. I'm not sure our government has the Parks' best interests at heart; just their own.

Jun 8th - 16:49pm | Sabattis

I can offer a few points of speculation on this: [list=1]

Conservation Groups Will Head to Court Over Yellowstone Snowmobile Decision

Jun 8th - 20:22pm | Kurt Repanshek

What I believe to be *the* central problem with this issue is it's become a political football and so, as the scientists themselves admit, science is not the guiding light on this matter.

Jun 8th - 17:06pm | Bob Janiskee

Alas; "unimpaired for future generations" is a mighty limp criterion. It's not much of a stretch to say that lots of sustainable yield activities (including hunting, fishing, trapping, selective logging, and many kinds of gathering, just to name a few) would leave a park unimpaired for future generations.

Jun 8th - 16:30pm | Sabattis

I'd be curious to know how this lawsuit is proceeding. I think the environmental groups would have a fairly hard time with this case for two reasons: - it will be hard to establish that snowmobile use in Yellowstone is leaving Yellowstone impaired for future generations

Jun 7th - 22:14pm | Anonymous

It would seem that the conservationists are not going to be happy untill all human activity outside of the city limits is eliminated and you even have to wonder about there. The parks were established to be used. Yes we have to take care of over use and/or abuse but it was not intended to be reserved for any particular group including the granola crunchers.

Glen Canyon NRA Starting Random Boat Inspections to Prevent Mussel Infestation

Jun 8th - 18:51pm | jack allen

they should check all boats,this has been a problem for years in the great lakes and other n/east areas,common lets wake up out west...all it takes is one boat..stop it now...

National Park Service Director Bomar Scheduled to Meet With Mountain Bike Community

Jun 8th - 16:20pm | Sabattis

You are correct that the Gila River Indian Community prohibits almost all access to Hohokam Pima National Monument, as they consider themselves to be descendents of the Snaketown inhabitants and because they consider Snaketown to be a sacred place.

Jun 8th - 16:03pm | Bob Janiskee

Sport hunting is not a reliable indicator of protection. In the National Park System, sport hunting is permitted in national preserves (categorically, I think) and in some other parks.

Jun 8th - 15:41pm | MRC

Well, not all National Wildlife Refuges enjoy that high standard of protection, but some do. Pelican Island, the very first NWR, established in 1903, is off limits to visitors, as well as a number others.

Jun 7th - 07:25am | Sabattis

I'd like to make two points on this:

Jun 7th - 07:23am | Sabattis

MRC - you make some good points. I hadn't thought of actually considering National Wildlife Refuge to be a higher level of protection than a Naitonal Park. I had ordered them the way that I did because the National Wildlife Refuge rather famously can allow oil drilling under at least some circumstance - something that seems almost unthinkable in a National Park.

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

Jun 8th - 10:50am | John Meagher

I am offended and insulted, and angered, by your reference to us/ME as "some fool",

How We View National Parks Today Matters For Tomorrow

Jun 8th - 08:27am | Lone Hiker

Just remember Bob....... It's only those of us who freely admit that, in the grand scheme of things, we truly are neophytes in the intellect department, and are self-consciousless enough to admit that we don't know everything, that ever have a true chance to increase our knowledge base. After all, once you're omnipotent, what't left?

Jun 7th - 21:42pm | Sabattis

Aha! Yes, the Internet is both virtue and vice - connections and discussions with like-minded people around the world, and all of our msitakes broadcast around the world as well.....

Jun 7th - 09:53am | Bob Janiskee

Cuation! Weaselspeak alert! I'm quite aware that it is Congress, not "the National Park System" that designates units. Here is what happened. When I was drafting my comment, I wrote this sentence: ....

Jun 7th - 09:30am | Lone Hiker

The answer to your first question is simple Bob. Since the designation and "official" status are Congressional declarations, or movements, or processes, whatever..........it appears that as usual our government has its collective head up it's butt (or in the case of the Indiana Dunes, buried in the sand?) and no proper scientific classification has been awarded these locales.

Jun 7th - 09:27am | Sabattis

Two points:

Jun 7th - 08:05am | Bob Janiskee

With all due respect, Sabattis, you're asking the wrong question. It's a given that the designation types should matter. Classification is possibly the most fundamental concept in science or, if you will, scientific management. Each designation type should represent a group of parks having similar characteristics and similar managerial needs.

Jun 7th - 07:28am | Sabattis

Of course, Cuyahoga Valley was originally establised with the same National Recration Area designation as Gateway and Golden Gate, and was basically just "rebranded" for greater publicity. I think it would be hard to get too concerned if Cuyahoga Valley was managed in roughly similar ways to Gateway and Golden Gate.

Jun 7th - 06:34am | Bob Janiskee

Skyrocketing fuel prices, budget tightening, and related factors are going to keep people closer to home. This should make our urban-oriented national parks (the ones within day-tripping distance, that is) much more appealing.

Lake Powell Expected to Rise 50 Feet This Summer

Jun 7th - 17:52pm | jimhiker

The cut is for recreational boaters and the abiity to save time and more importantly, FUEL. I have read the comments from the various posters talking about climate change and can only smile and wonder to what extent everyone who posts about it really knows.

Jun 7th - 13:32pm | parkgoer85

What gags me are hypocrites that cry about touching the environment for any reason. Do they use roads to go places? Do they live in a home with running water and electricity? Do they use refrigerators or washing machines? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you better start changing you own life before imposing your views on everyone else.

Yellowstone Officials Now Recommending that Sylvan Pass Remain Open For Snowmobiling

Jun 7th - 16:00pm | Anonymous

If you read the inscription on the arch in Gardiner, you see it reads "for the enjoyment of the People". It does not have restrictions on who can enjoy Yellowstone. Just because some people feel their form of recreation is the best, they do not have the right to impose their values on others. Hikers feel only hikers should be allowed in the park. Bicyclists feel there should be no cars.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial Relocation Update

Jun 7th - 09:56am | Anonymous

I've been following this story with great interest and it got me to think...I know that buildings have been moved within National Park Sites (for example, the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras), can anyone think of another entire site being picked up and moved?

Jun 6th - 10:06am | lepanto

Actually, Hamilton called the process of getting the land, designing and building Hamilton Grange: ". . . a sweet project." For some reason the NPS release spins it as ". . . he called his 'sweet project.' " Splitting hairs??

Traveler's View: Concealed Weapons Have No Place In Our National Park System

Jun 6th - 15:50pm | Random Walker

Why does the gun issue extract such incredible outpourings of vitriol and personal attacks? LOL! Do you really have to ask?

Jun 6th - 14:47pm | Kurt Repanshek

Sorry anonymous, but am I to understand that raising one's voice to question management decisions is political? So if one were to question ESA decisions, or fee decisions, or trail-building decisions, one would be immersing themselves in politics?

Jun 6th - 14:13pm | Kevin

It's funny that folks keep using the term "Allow Weapons" What many do not understand is that a Criminal is a criminal. Regardless of what laws are in place. If they choose to carry and gun and to commit a crime, they are going to do it whether they are not allowed to or not. Placing a law to not allow a lawful person to protect themselves is absolutley ridiculous.

Jun 6th - 14:01pm | Anonymous

Excuse me, I thought you could read. I said YOU were being political! The NRA has always been political. I hoped you were above that. I was obviously mistaken. I have always supported the parks for non-political reasons, I thought you might also. Again, my error! Every thing is not political to every one.

Jun 6th - 13:52pm | Kurt Repanshek

Hmmmm, not political. That's why the NRA -- one of the most powerful lobbies in the country -- admittedly scripted the letters that were sent by senators to Interior Secretary Kempthorne, and that's why the NRA worked with Sen. Coburn to introduce his amendment to open the parks to concealed weapons.

Jun 6th - 13:36pm | Anonymous

Kurt, You protest too much! I've never been an NRA member or backer, but you need to be truthful: 1, this topic has been discussed at governmental levels for 5 years; 2, to imply this is a political issue in an election year is to make yourself political ( not a good or smart idea): 3, this is really a states rights issue, not an NRA issue once you get down to it.

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