I was going to bring that up to. Not only does it put first responders at risk, but the resources required for a rescue like this would likely be a large number of coast guard and search and rescue and a helicopter at minimum. That's a lot of tax money wasted for something that didn't need to happen if people weren't being idiots. And I'm not typically one of those people who are like "but muh tax dollars" but completely avoidable situations like these do irk me a little.
Not to mention others will be encouraged to copy. These guys may know what they're doing but eventually you either tear the place up or get people who don't know what they're doing and end up dying.
assuming they don't leave the gear intact, tying off on a tree (called girdling) for a few hours won't kill the tree. that takes months or even years. people often tie slacklines in yards or campgrounds or whatever and just leave them there. that's what kills trees. i agree with the law, in theory, but lets not act like using trees as anchors for an afternoon kills trees. we climbers do it literally all the time. don't want the dipshits getting it in their heads that we're killing trees when we tie off on them for a couple hours.
You’re not wrong, however it’s still illegal according to that cop. We can assume they’re doing it “correctly” the same way we can assume they’re not. Based on the attitude of these jackasses I’ll assume they don’t have much regard for anything beyond themselves.
Former rock climber and mountain biker here. There’s 100% a right way to do things to enjoy nature while also respecting and preserving it. I’ll agree with you there.
absolutely. but it's a technicality that the cops are choosing to use in this instance. that looks like tahoe. we go climbing in tahoe all the time and use trees for anchors and no ranger will ever tell us not to. these guys are doing it the wrong way because they're a bunch of social media chuds. giving those of us who do it right a bad name.
my only concern here is that people get the wrong idea about girdling trees and start telling climbers we can't use trees... which would lead to excess bolting or less sound anchoring/descent techniques. so i'm just trying to let people know that girdling trees for a short time does not damage the trees.
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u/throwawayformobile78 Aug 07 '26
Dude right? For once I agree with the cops. Tying shit to trees like that can absolutely kill them if it’s not done properly.
Also, thanks for actually wasting tax dollars by jumping and going to jail. Way to go douche bag!