Rainier rangers: A sharp eye on the slopes

For those who don't read the Tacoma paper.  My congratulations to Craig Hill for this nice piece.

Ooops!

Stephan Lofgren, the new director of Mount Rainier's climbing program has climbed the mountain almost 100 times......

.....“I just want to make sure nobody like me is ever hired to work here again,” Lofgren said...... 

www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/793344.html

Just to think, by this time next year we'll be allowed to wear a loaded firearm in the park as well.
Thanks NRA and Credit Card Reform Bill.
: :'( :'(
Why does a climbing ranger need a firearm?
Makes me sick reading their propaganda( although I'm sure he's a great guy) after their late opening of Sunrise which was done on purpose to deter skiers.( No , I won't let it go!)

Gator was an exception and has been recognized as such and I hope this new guy is as good but I wish he'd just once have mentioned skiers along with climbers. Not a mention of the brothers and sisters of the glisse. Conspicuous by it's absence I would say.

A lady ranger once stopped me at the Longmire gate on the road up to Paradise... well, she had a big gun on her hip... so I stopped and put on my chains as directed.....   

Then about a year later... the same lady ranger was handing out citations to idiots who were sledding on the meadow... right behind the sign that said not to...   Besides her side arm, she had what looked like an AR-15 and a shotgun in the truck.  I asked her why she needed all the guns...  said that things were different in the national parks now, especially other parks, like in California. 

So... when they say don't feed the ground squirrels, they mean it!

I think I would prefer a 30-06 or an M-14 rather than a wimpy AR-15..   Of course I suppose a 12 gage slug at close range would discourage a black bear.

Just to think, by this time next year we'll be allowed to wear a loaded firearm in the park as well.
Thanks NRA and Credit Card Reform Bill.
: :'( :'(
Why does a climbing ranger need a firearm?

About 6 years ago I was a River Ranger on the Green River in northeastern Utah.  Had to take a certification class to carry a firearm.   I was thankful to have one only because it seemed to me that folks who were apt to hassle you or confront you with -"what are ya gonna do about it, give me a ticket, ha, ha, ha" seem to take you a bit more seriously.  Also, unfortunately more ranges have to deal with folks looking to steal something or do someone else bodily harm than in the past.
Sad facts! 

True, sad times and I have read that the California Parks are in serious problems due to drug and criminal behavior but it kinda destroys the  whole Ranger Rick thing with their funky hats contrasting with the automatic pistol and handcuff holder.

Should be fun next year though when the tourists can wear firearms as well. hahahah.
Both sides will be taking each other seriously then!

I'm gonna get a ski pole with an ice-axe ( a Whippet )for one hand and another pole with a Glock automatic in the other handle ( The Glocket) for the other hand for ski touring next year.

Gotaa love the gun laws in the USA. ( and I know, if I don't like it , i should leave)
It think it's funny.

I'm carrying a .44 MAG (Taurus Tracker) for bear protection these days.  A shotgun w/ slugs and 00 shot might be best, but a bit unweildy.  We've got grizz and blackies in the woods above our house.    

True story:  I ran into a grizz on snow whilst skiing not long ago (No, I don't ski with a pistol, this was a fluke )  How's that for another objective hazard to contend with in the backcountry

I'm glad to be able to legally pack a handgun in the parks...we go to Glacier NP and bears are a serious hazard there; all the more dangerous because they're habituated to humans.  Now I won't be breaking the law...

I'll gladly deal with the legal consequences of dropping a grizz rather than have my ass chewed off.  Or my wife and son hurt.  That being said, I avoid those grizz like the plague, if I can!

Can't see packing one in MRNP, though, unless they try to socialize the skiing  I'm a unique Idaho phenomenon, a "gun totin' liberal".