Six pages and the owner still hasn't popped up. Hell, its 87 ways on Facebook, 4 or so pages on Arfcom GD, and who knows where else. Yet in every thread I've seen nothing but speculation and asshattery. I wouldn't pop up either -- no use explainiing myself to those who have never done wrong their life...
Yep, so much ignorance in most of the comments on FB. Here... I think most people are being pretty level headed about it.
I think what you see here is a bit of frustration with where things are headed in terms of public 4x4 trails in Colorado and elsewhere... Like many have stated. Off-roading on trails like BB pass used to be a thing where only very experienced enthusiast or groups with a responsible leader went. Now, it's a couple of people with an iphone and an Instagram account and that new TRDPro or Rubicon... ready to get some cool shots. Maybe it's just social media... but this year seems to have been different with a bunch of bad accidents posted.
To further that rant...
I remember reading an article a few years ago about the change in "distress" calls in national parks since the advent of the smartphone and hand held EPRIB . They used to receive maybe 10 calls a season and it was always a real emergency... now it is 100x that #. The reason was 100% attributed to smartphones and other devices. There was once a time where people did not have phones or any other device to call.. They felt that they actually had to be prepared and know what the heck they were doing to start with. Now... they get calls from people who hike up the side of a mountain in flip flops with nothing but an iphone and a plan to get a few cool pictures. No water, no food, no warm clothes.... They call stating they are cold, hungry, and lost in the dark... Same with the satellite beacons. Dumb asses hitting distress when they simply did not provision enough food for their planned say. Like calling room service or something. That shit outrages me personally.
Technology really can bring out the worst in people. It's clearly a double edged sword.
I very much like the idea of getting new blood into an activity... its what keeps things going and all the burnt out people moving on...Communities of enthsiast need newcomers and should welcome them.. but at the same time.. these newcomers need to realize they need help and its not just the internet that can do it. You have to get out and interact with real people and create some actual real life friendships and experiences with other more experienced enthusiast. Clubs are a great way, but those seem to be getting weaker these days also. IDK what the answer is for sure... but it does seem like things are getting much worse in terms of competency. Maybe I'm just that old crusty guy now...
Anyway, I think that is the frustration you see here. Not really against this guy. The stuff on FB... is just pure ignorance and asshattery.
And I also agree anyone can make a mistake like this. If you have not had an "oh shit that could have been a disaster" moment.. Well, you probably have not been on anything remotely difficult yet. And that is OK too.. but don't act like anyone who does is a complete idiot.
Hopefully people can learn from this scenario either way.
