Off-Road Rescues in Colorado Are Getting Out of Hand

[KD7WCD]

Maybe those communities should start holding accountable companies that are renting out the vehicle you mentioned.

How’s that any different than blaming a knife or gun company for a murder?

What they need to do is put up a simple sign at the trail entrance listing the average cost of a simple recovery and noting that rental car insurance is not valid past that sign. For example:

Notice! Rental Car Insurance is not valid past this sign!
Average Rental car = $350
Average Recovery = $3,500
Average Rental Car Damage = $5,500.
Driver’s are responsible for any costs.

Then perhaps people will think twice. Yeah, it’s a pipe dream.

Do like they have done in AZ when it comes to flooded water crossings. We have '' Stupid Motores'' fines.

 

[KD7WCD]

The problem is way bigger than we think, towns around the Alpine Loop are really pissed off at all the rescues that are happening due to stupid people mostly renting vehicles/side by sides and getting into trouble.

Maybe those communities should start holding accountable companies that are renting out the vehicle you mentioned.

Its not the compabies fault people are stupid. Should we blame Jeeo for people who buy Jeeps and get stuck, or toyota for the 4runner folk? This route makes no sense.

Yea. But if you can draw a direct cost to the community from these businesses then it is responsible to have them help pay for those cost. It could be in the form of the business license or evan an additional tax to the customer vea the rentals. Communities already do this with bed taxes and rental car taxes. That way they can imbrace the stupid tourist who help run there local economies.

 

[Tundracamper]

Yea. But if you can draw a direct cost to the community from these businesses then it is responsible to have them help pay for those cost. It could be in the form of the business license or evan an additional tax to the customer vea the rentals. Communities already do this with bed taxes and rental car taxes. That way they can imbrace the stupid tourist who help run there local economies.

Just like we should blame teachers when people can’t spell?

 

[KD7WCD]

Yea. But if you can draw a direct cost to the community from these businesses then it is responsible to have them help pay for those cost. It could be in the form of the business license or evan an additional tax to the customer vea the rentals. Communities already do this with bed taxes and rental car taxes. That way they can imbrace the stupid tourist who help run there local economies.

Just like we should blame teachers when people can’t spell?

The teachers or the school system and politicians that stand in there way......... and so one to a deficiency in society it self.

In my case, it is a document case of bad dyslexia and my '' Smart Phones '' auto correct.

Putting the education of inexperienced off roading tourist on the guy probably make minimum wage renting side by sides seems kind of flawed. But then again mist teachesr aren't paid much better.

But enough political soap boxing.

Could be an opportunity for so.e one to open up a school or some such thing in Colorado.

 

[Tundracamper]

The teachers or the school system and politicians that stand in there way......... and so one to a deficiency in society it self.

In my case, it is a document case of bad dyslexia and my '' Smart Phones '' auto correct.

Putting the education of inexperienced off roading tourist on the guy probably make minimum wage renting side by sides seems kind of flawed. But then again mist teachesr aren't paid much better.

But enough political soap boxing.

Could be an opportunity for so.e one to open up a school or some such thing in Colorado.

Politics or not, until these folks are held accountable and sent a bill for all the costs, it will keep happening, perhaps up to the point they close the trails.

 

[ZombieCat]

Many of these recoveries are the result of people following the GPS without any awareness of the terrain and a lack of critical thinking skills.

This!!
Last summer in Colorado, Google Maps tried to route me down a small, rough looking dirt road. I was towing my trailer and common sense told me that this may not be a wise choice. I stopped and even though I barely had a cell signal, was able to manipulate the map to see a nearby road which would similarly connect to my destination. Driving forward, I found this to be a smooth, paved road which worked out fine. With more people being highly dependent upon electronics, Google Maps should have an option to avoid unpaved roads in the same manner as avoiding routes with tolls or ferries. It won’t help with idiots who overestimate their abilities, but might keep a few unwitting truck drivers or tourists from causing havoc on the trails.

 

[grubworm]

its colorado...grab a bag of ranch doritos and it will be ok...

 

[MiamiC70]

Came across this article posted by Outside Magazine.

Guess it could be a general discussion couldn’t it?

Off-Road Rescues in Colorado Are Getting Out of Hand

Why do so many cars and trucks get stuck on sketchy passes in the Rockies? We asked state officials, tow truck drivers, and even college professors to weigh in.

www.outsideonline.com

Because YOUTUBE!

 

[bgenlvtex]

Meh, the more people you have driving off road, the more people will get stuck.

Life is dangerous, some of the most entertaining shit is the most dangerous.

 

[MazeVX]

I think the availability of recovery is part of the problem.
If you loose your vehicle and held accountable because your vehicle gets identified and confiscated you will learn.

But don't get me wrong, I would absolutely hate it, I hate further regulations and trail closures just more than that.

 

[FishFam_logs]

Lots of hate.
If there was any form of malicious intent I would have issues but getting stuck offroad? Since when did that become such whine fest? I understand it takes away from community resources but when I hear in the same article people wanting community support to be regulated, its feel cheap.
"The Forest Service recognizes the free-for-all nature of rescues is not sustainable and is working to set up a license system for operators who are qualified to conduct rescues in central Colorado." There talking about the Colorado 4x4 Rescue, every state has one. A community of friendly offroaders that want to help but the state wants to monetize it.
Its easy to blame the folks for ignorance, rightfully so in some instances. But following this same mentality any person offroad that gets stuck and needs assistance should be punished. I break down on the Mojave Road or Rubicon Trail, I would have to wait for a licensed recovery specialist, not the 50 rigs of helpful folks passing by? Then the BLM/FS/County gets to fine me for getting stuck?

I think a "gatekeeper" sounds like the best idea. Its not the 4Runners, Suburu's, or Pickups that are the issue. Those can be rescued/removed quick and easy by Jeeps. However, 30' box trucks, busses, construction trucks, those take some serious equipment and time. Obviously people are going to continue following the GPS. Make it apparent they are not gonna like the result.

$0.02

 

[Sylvester]

You are so right, this year we ran into all sorts of idiots, rentals and owened vehicles. On one of the incidents that happened the day after we went over Engineer 90 SAR volunteers worked for over 24 hrs to get a family off the mountain after a accident.
Most of the noise we heard was from Lake City residents complaining about Engineer pass incidents.

All in all there is a problem

Did you hear from all 23 Lake City residents - That is a really Small Town that make's money from the Alpine Loop, A Buch of Money

Wiki Said there's 432 Residents, Wonder if that is Year round

 

[Sylvester]

Lots of hate.
If there was any form of malicious intent I would have issues but getting stuck offroad? Since when did that become such whine fest? I understand it takes away from community resources but when I hear in the same article people wanting community support to be regulated, its feel cheap.
"The Forest Service recognizes the free-for-all nature of rescues is not sustainable and is working to set up a license system for operators who are qualified to conduct rescues in central Colorado." There talking about the Colorado 4x4 Rescue, every state has one. A community of friendly offroaders that want to help but the state wants to monetize it.
Its easy to blame the folks for ignorance, rightfully so in some instances. But following this same mentality any person offroad that gets stuck and needs assistance should be punished. I break down on the Mojave Road or Rubicon Trail, I would have to wait for a licensed recovery specialist, not the 50 rigs of helpful folks passing by? Then the BLM/FS/County gets to fine me for getting stuck?

I think a "gatekeeper" sounds like the best idea. Its not the 4Runners, Suburu's, or Pickups that are the issue. Those can be rescued/removed quick and easy by Jeeps. However, 30' box trucks, busses, construction trucks, those take some serious equipment and time. Obviously people are going to continue following the GPS. Make it apparent they are not gonna like the result.

$0.02

Colorado list most Trails as A County Road That does not help

 

[Kent R]

Did you hear from all 23 Lake City residents - That is a really Small Town that make's money from the Alpine Loop, A Buch of Money

Wiki Said there's 432 Residents, Wonder if that is Year round

I would suspect it was the entire county, probably not just the city. Yes it is small