Government Shutdown = Opportunity

[jeremiah j]

If shutdown can you take pets into GSMNP? Ha!

[Blissful]

A park ranger from Shenandoah spoke to my husband's BSA troop tonight and they said tomorrow night hikers will NOT be able to go into the national parks because they cannot do rescues.

[J-Fro]

A park ranger from Shenandoah spoke to my husband's BSA troop tonight and they said tomorrow night hikers will NOT be able to go into the national parks because they cannot do rescues. So trails will be closed

I understand, but if the govt shutdown does occur, there will be no ranger to keep you out either?? Any other thoughts for thru hikers?

[Blissful]

He said they will be manning popular trails in the park and guarding all entrances. They will not be allowing people to enter the park. (he was in law enforcement)

[Tilly]

7 days Nov. 13-19, 1995 and 21 days Dec. 15, 1995 to Jan. 6, 1996.

But that was then and this is now, so there is no way to know yet how long IF it does.

He was off 4 days in Nov, less than a week. Maybe his position is "half-essential" or something.

[Graywolf]

A park ranger from Shenandoah spoke to my husband's BSA troop tonight and they said tomorrow night hikers will NOT be able to go into the national parks because they cannot do rescues.

I did not know rescues were done by the Feds? I thought that was State and Local duty? Here in Texas they just call Task Force One, a volunteer group ran by Texas A&M...

So I guess our state and local gove is shutting down too, not just teh Feds??

[jbwood5]

I wonder what happens if you are already in the Park? If you're just passing thru will they escort you off and leave you stranded? (assuming your vehicle is at home).
I hope they just let you pass thru to the other end and be on your way. Hopefully they won't even see you.

[Montana Mac]

Will certainly open up the opportunity for some stealth camping -

If this lasts (or even happens) it will have a snowball effect on all the little towns around the NPs.

Where I work is 3.5 miles outside of Yellowstone and the town is a "tourist town". Without the tourists the businesses will really take a hit.

[Blissful]

I did not know rescues were done by the Feds? I thought that was State and Local duty? Here in Texas they just call Task Force One, a volunteer group ran by Texas A&M...

So I guess our state and local gove is shutting down too, not just teh Feds??

Its NPS property and they conduct the searches from what we were told. Its the govt park, so if they want to close it for safety reasons, they will. Like when the fire happened and they shut down trails. They feel this is a safety issue for visitors and hikers.

[restless]

I did not know rescues were done by the Feds? I thought that was State and Local duty? Here in Texas they just call Task Force One, a volunteer group ran by Texas A&M...

So I guess our state and local gove is shutting down too, not just teh Feds??

In Shenandoah, the NPS are the ones who do search and rescue.

[No Belay]

I'm taking a 5 day float on the Buffalo National Scenic River starting Sunday. If the park closes down there are to many bridges and access points for the Park Service to monitor. It will be a phenomenal trip because all the "bus" floaters will stop at the gates leaving the river deserted. We float the Buff a dozen times a year and I've never seen a Ranger except for one sitting in her truck at an access. I can't imagine it being anymore dangerous or less safe because the bureaucracy has floundered. Just sayin.

Savor Happy!