Mt Rainier National Park citations $350

All my Bush tax cut goes to "user fees" and "permits". What a shell game!

A bit of a look at the Mt R web site and I found this in reply to the first most FAQ:
"A climbing pass is not required to walk up to high camps or ski/snowboard on the lower glaciers."
Our high point was about 10,000 feet where we crossed the Puyallup Cleaver.
I did not find any mention of a requirement to register for glacier travel.
Interestingly, the FAQ page also says "If you are staying out overnight, a Wilderness Camping Permit is required." but we were not cited for this.

I seemed to recall the part about the high camps and lower glaciers as I read your initial post, Garth.
Seems to me you've hit upon you ideal defense.  Better make some copies before it happens to get changed.  When presenting your defense before the judge you may want to leave out the part about wilderness camping though; no sense in confusing the issue, right?

I'd proly leave out the argument that no one else was cited, too. That one could be a ugly backfire. :
Let us know how it comes out.

Good suggestions Ron. I just made copies of the web pages that seemed to apply.

Garth,

I've been meaning to tell you this since the TAY tour of your workplace several years back, but I frequently give MRNP officials your name when questioned about backcountry travel without a permit figuring they'll never spell it correctly anyway...sorry!   

J.P.

Garth,
Thanks for posting this.  I am sorry that you are the one in our group having to deal with the hassle of going to court after being willing to offer your name to the park ranger in the guise of safety considerations.  It is unimaginable to me that someone in that capacity would solicit a name under the pretense of saftey only to be intending to fine you later with no mention that would be the case before we had actually violated any park rules.   If we had each given our names, would would we have been fined $350 each?  It seems preposterous to me to on the one hand be commended for our accomplishment by Mike Gauthier on his website, and then in turn be treated with deceit by the park service itself.  After 20 years of climbing, hiking and skiing in the Park, I am disappointed but not surprised that this is our government at work.


Okay, I've vented now....

-Paul

Garth, I must say that your publicist has done an exceptional job in providing you all the recent media exposure.  Your appearance on local television and your photo in the Seattle PI have provided you the type of visibility that many desire.  This may also have led to the issuance of the citation .  I thnk there's a lot more to this story.  Remember, I'm here for you if you need me - unless it's a powder day.