Hot take: A ranger in Yosemite told me my route plan was dangerous and he was right.

I was set on doing a 30 mile loop in 2 days last fall, starting at Glacier Point. The ranger at the permit desk looked at my map and said, 'You're going up that pass with a 40 pound pack after noon? That's how people get heat stroke.' I changed my plan to 3 days and split the climb. It made the whole trip better, not just safer. Anyone else had a ranger talk them out of a bad idea?

3 comments

3 Comments

aaronowens20d ago

Honestly, calling a 30 mile loop in two days a "bad idea" feels like fear mongering. That ranger was just being overly cautious. A 40 pound pack and an afternoon climb is totally doable if you're in shape and carry enough water. Sometimes the park service just wants to bubble wrap the whole experience.

kim.nancy20d ago

Bubble wrap the experience" is how you end up needing a rescue team.

joel_adams7917d ago

Used to agree with you until I saw @kim.nancy's point about rescue teams.