MRNP: update on plow operators

FWIW, he did tell me via email that he'd be hard to reach and an email that he was copied on today came back with an out of office message from him.

...

He's in Tanzania climbing Kilimanjaro and then going wildlife watching.  I knew he was going and emailed him and rec'd his reply before he left.

The plan was for me & other volunteers to work with Park staff; I suspect that the map itself would be approved by the Park and then produced and distributed by the Park or its associated non-profit that can produce and sell stuff. In any case, I was not planning to proceed alone (or with the people from TAY who volunteered to help) with just the hope the product would be acceptable to and distributed by the Park.

While a better map may be helpful to some, I think it's immperative the map has some very strong warnings concerning weather and winter conditions that can occur at anytime of year. A map without weather/unexpected conditions warnings could be used by some as "well they gave me a map, how bad could it get?". Most people heading out of Paradise that are expereinced/equipped will have a map. Those that are ignorant of conditions will be the ones without a map. A map in the hands of the inexperienced in a foggy or whiteout conditions, is useless.

Of course a map of Paradise will be useless to anyone and everyone if the road is closed.

While a better map may be helpful to some, I think it's immperative the map has some very strong warnings concerning weather and winter conditions that can occur at anytime of year. A map without weather/unexpected conditions warnings could be used by some as "well they gave me a map, how bad could it get?". Most people heading out of Paradise that are expereinced/equipped will have a map. Those that are ignorant of conditions will be the ones without a map. A map in the hands of the inexperienced in a foggy or whiteout conditions, is useless.

Of course a map of Paradise will be useless to anyone and everyone if the road is closed.

Of course;  there are lots of thoughtful things that would go into such a map to minimize chances of people wandering off overconfidently; but it looks like the whole thing is moot.  The whole point of such a map is to promote safe day-tripping, discourage ill-advised adventures, and provide links to resources for enthusiasts to gain detailed and specific information and training for future endeavors.