Rainier rangers: A sharp eye on the slopes

Conversation overheard between Ms. Griz and Mr. Griz: The 'BillK's of this world are becoming a serious objective hazard to contend with in the backcountry, eh?"

I agree competely.

Why does a climbing ranger need a firearm?

Would you want to enforce blue bag rules without one?

Maybe we could arm them with the blue bags. I'd be deterred.

Recently my business partner Wil was going on a pre-bid visit to AK for a dam repair job in a remote canyon. He was worried about bear encounters during the visit and asked me what he should take.

Easy I said, "take Jimmy" (one of our Superintendents). "Jimmy's very fat and slow and you should easily be able to get ahead of him and if the bears gonna choose between your skiiny ass and nice plump,juicy, slow Jimmy, he's goona choose Jimmy."

He took Jimmy.

Easy I said, "take Jimmy" (one of our Superintendents). "Jimmy's very fat and slow and you should easily be able to get ahead of him and if the bears gonna choose between your skiiny ass and nice plump,juicy, slow Jimmy, he's goona choose Jimmy."

Ahhh, the old nugget:  When it comes to evading bears, "You only have to be faster than one person in the group"

A guy out jogging got mauled the other day in Glacier NP by a grizz.  He was able to whack it on the nose with a stick and it fled....lucky dude!

I thought that the climbing ranger pic WAS a bit funny...still in his law enforcement uniform.  And his statement that they "not hire anyone like me".  Funny, but not very "official" if you ask me   sounds like a cool guy though.  Glad to see he's willing to show his real self...brave in a bureaucratic system.  I was on the mountain the night those two rangers fell...SCARY climbing conditions; water ice on Emmons route, full-on ice pro was needed, or VERY careful foot placement.

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".

I used to lead backpacking trips and rock climbing trips in and around GNP, Hungry Horse Res., Bob Marshall, etc. Ranger friends up there and I often talked about this situation, and decided that unless you're a really good shot and quick draw, there's no way you'll drop a griz with a hand gun. Sometimes even a shotgun isn't enough. Of all the bear attacks and encounters we had read, heard, or experienced, bear spray was the most effective deterrent. Most cases involving a handgun resulted in some serious injuries, and in some cases death. I know I can't change those laws, but seriously people who pack heat for bears should seriously reconsider, or carry bear spray also.

Rangers also wear kevlar vests along with carryin a handgun. None of it's for wildlife. It's all because of stupid people who have shot and killed Rangers for doing their job (mostly dealing with drugs). As a fireman, EMT, and policeman, they have their work cut out for them and unfortunately, some people don't respect that...enough to pull a weapon on a person...sad.

Steve Makuakane

Kenneth Patrick

Kris Eggle

Dangerous Parks