From KZone: Guerilla Trailblazers Arrested

[kbroderick]

The last few posts deal with an issue I never understood...people who go OB with no idea where or what they are doing. Forget about Pennskier's troll post because there are skiers who do exactly that. I don't get that at all. Do people like to get hurt or spend the night lost on a mountain? Please explain this to me.

If you want to check something out you don't know, talk to people on lift rides and try to make friends with locals. Works for me, especially at places like Jay or MRG. Always managed to make friends and most skiers like company as long as you have the skills. So don't be mad or insulted if the local you meet wants to take a run or two with you to see if you're up to snuff. It's for your own good.

And be prepared. If I'm prepared to head out on a possible adventure that involves skins, a map, and a compass, don't expect me to be sympathetic if you want to tag along and you don't have a pack with appropriate gear. And please don't follow my tracks...trust me, I might not know where I'm going, either, but I do have food, water, and sufficient gear to spend the night in the woods if I have to, as well as a map and compass to figure out how to get out of wherever I end up.

The flip side, of course, is that one should always be as discreet as possible when dropping into a less-known line or one that leads into an area where people could easily get lost. Entrances that require turning around and skiing uphill are good, as is the habit of checking for observant lurkers before dropping into the woods...don't hesitate at the top of a line.

 

[from_the_NEK]

And be prepared

The flip side, of course, is that one should always be as discreet as possible when dropping into a less-known line or one that leads into an area where people could easily get lost. Entrances that require turning around and skiing uphill are good, as is the habit of checking for observant lurkers before dropping into the woods...don't hesitate at the top of a line.

All very good tips

 

[Pennskier1]

If you didn't think you were good enough before, you're STILL not good enough. The terrain on big Jay is still going to be several steps above Beaver Pond and Timbuktu.
The cut isn't a big wide groomer trail that is going to allow gappers to "bail out" if they are having a hard time. It is still STEEP and narrow and will very likely become a luge run from too much skier traffic, making it more dangerous than skiing the regular tree lines. PLEASE stick to the inbounds stuff. Ski patrol will charge to bail you out when you get in over your head/get lost out of bounds.

Hopefully this guy's just phishing

I know I can ski it. Last March during my trip I did green beret without any trouble. I can ski steep trails fine woods just sometimes give me trouble. After I finish the trail it isnt even that steep so i will be fine.

What does phishing mean? I'm not up to date on this cool internet lingo stuff. You guys have to give me a break it is only my second day here. :-?

 

[from_the_NEK]

What does phishing mean? I'm not up to date on this cool internet lingo stuff. You guys have to give me a break it is only my second day here. :-?

"Phishing" or a similar term "trolling", both mean people who post about sensitive topics simply to try to get people all worked up about that topic in hopes of generating a lot of fire spewing posts (similar to my earlier response to your post).

 

[JD]

I knew a guy that would take off his skis, walk into his cut lines, and turn around and pee behind him so people would just think it was a potty break. if you were with him he would make you walk in his foot prints so it looked like 1 guy taking a leak. Funny dude. Legend.

 

[from_the_NEK]

plus you would have to walk through the yellow snow to follow his track if he pees behind him. :blink: How bad do you want to follow that guy :lol:??

 

[David Metsky]

Guys, Pennskier1 is just trolling. It's pretty safe to ignore him. Any reply you give him is the attention he is looking for.

The group from Telemark Tips should be headed up there with folks from the state to post some signs and hopefully put down some ground cover before the snow flies. More details on TT.com.

-dave-

 

[JimG.]

Guys, Pennskier1 is just trolling. It's pretty safe to ignore him. Any reply you give him is the attention he is looking for.

The group from Telemark Tips should be headed up there with folks from the state to post some signs and hopefully put down some ground cover before the snow flies. More details on TT.com.

-dave-

Positive action.

I have to hand it to you, your responses are always prudent and effective.

 

[56fish]

Had to see for myself!:beer:

It's a trail.

About as wide as Poma over at Jay.

 

[twinplanx]

WOW.... how about that last pic

 

[drjeff]

An update:

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7057993

Now what is the judge going to do to uphold this, put a GPS ankle bracelet on them, or station the "powder patrol" at the top of the chainsaw massacre???

 

[JD]

so it looks like when you get to the bottom of the cut line, traverse left into what looks like another cut line. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[JPTracker]

New Article with more info on how they were caught

http://www.caledonianrecord.com/pages/local_news/story/915114ea5

 

[from_the_NEK]

More info on yesterdays hearings from WCAX:

Newport, Vermont - October 9, 2007

Prosecutors are moving forward with a case against two men accused of cutting a back-country ski trail near Jay Peak. The illegal cutting left a 3,000 foot scar in a section of state forest land. Paul Poulin and Alan Ritter are being charged with a felony for destruction of property. Only Alan Ritter showed up for a status conference in Newport Tuesday.

Law enforcement officers believe Poulin and Ritter cut 873 trees on state land to build their own, private ski run. The two men allegedly cut a three quarters of a mile long trail, up to 65 feet wide in places, before a Jay Peak tram operator noticed the operation this past July. A member of the Green Mountain Club tipped law enforcement off to the men's whereabouts, after that volunteer happened to see the men headed up the mountain. Game wardens found saws and lopping shears at the remote site.

47-year old Poulin and 46 year-old Ritter initially denied cutting the trees, but later confessed to game wardens. Both Poulin and Ritter now face felony charges of unlawful mischief. If convicted they could face five years in jail and $5,000 in fines.

Prosecutors say there is little precedence for this case. Poulin's attorney says his client is looking into the cost of replacing the trees. State foresters say that would likely cost about $48,000, not counting labor. Another hearing has been set for November 13th. In the meantime, Fish and Wildlife officials are faced with the task of keeping skiers out of the area this winter.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News

Does that last sentence mean that Big Jay is going to be completely off limits? :-o

 

[bvibert]

More info on yesterdays hearings from WCAX:



Does that last sentence mean that Big Jay is going to be completely off limits? :-o

I read that as meaning that they intend on keeping people out of the cut.

 

[from_the_NEK]

I read that as meaning that they intend on keeping people out of the cut.

Thats going to be tough to do since people can ski in from the side. Are they going to fence it off? They would need fences 15 feet in the air or people will ski right over them later in the winter.
I could see Fish and Wildlife taking the easy route and posting an officer at the trailhead to Big Jay keeping anyone from going to the "area" of Big Jay (that would be a COLD thankless job...).

Note: I don't plan on skiing that line but I would still like to hit Big Jay again this year.

 

[bvibert]

I agree that's it's not going to be easy, it sounds like an awfully big area to keep people out of. Unfortunately for Big Jay skiers you might be right, there could be a push to keep people off of Big Jay all together. If that's the case, the two numbskulls better hope they get jail time to keep the lynch mob from getting them..

Hopefully they'll take a less drastic approach of marking the regeneration area and educating the skiing public of the importance of staying out of the area..

 

[David Metsky]

This weekend is the first restoration work day up there. I suspect the main efforts will be on reseeding, posting signs, and getting some ground cover. I don't know if they intend on fencing. It's volunteer labor by mostly backcountry skiers, coordinated by the GMC.

Next Wed is the benefit showing of PW07 in Arlington to raise money for the restoration efforts. Lots of swag has been donated for the raffle, including a Jay Season's Pass. Please come on by, see a great flick, and possibly win some great stuff.

http://www.hikethewhites.com/bigjayrestoration

-dave-

 

[kingdom-tele]

note that they are only going to need 15 people for the work due to the impact of foot traffic

unfortunately I will not be attending because fortunately it is my anniversary

NEK - I believe it is just to keep people off of the cut itself, there is still plenty left to ski

 

[AdironRider]

These guys are morons. They couldve just denied till they died and never been caught. How are they going to prove it was them just by their cars being parked there overnight.