We all love her. At this point, almost too much. Too many people, too many regulations, not enough sunrises and sunsets to bask in her glory. We all want the same thing: for as many of us as is allowed to enjoy her as safely as possible; to be educated and informed of tried and tested methods for success on all levels. It is equally frustrating for the experienced and the novice to understand each other, meet each other where they stand.
Ultimately, I think that is the goal of this Board. To garner information from many sources, and then learn from one another. Even the most rank amateur will have a choice piece of information that might enhance the experience of the hardiest mountaineer. But what I have seen lately here doesn't mesh with that model. Instead of banter, there is bickering. Instead of asking, there are arguments. Instead of concise information, there are generalizations and completely false statements based on nothing more than heresay.
Where do we go from here?
I am not one to walk on eggshells, period. Waste of my time, really. I have no problem speaking my mind. But if it is not constructive, then whatever I have to say or think is worthless. Have I learned diplomacy? Perhaps a bit, but I am still rough around the edges at times. This medium does not cater well to displaying emotion or sarcasm, and since most of us have not met formally, meanings are missed and mistaken, gut reactions are harsh.
There are many, MANY people who peruse this forum looking for information that will help make their hike/backpack/climb a success, FAR more than ever actually post. For those of us who do post regularly, we DO have a responsibility to measure our statements with good information and well-thought out and worded questions. These are things of which the amatuer may not think until they read it. We are not the "board police". If this arena becomes a constant stream of bickering, no one will care what any of us have to say, and Whitney will have lost an important resource for, ultimately, her protection.
Doug and the other moderators of this forum have kindly allowed me to post my stories and adventures here, in the spirit of exploring and growing and promoting my backyard as the amazing place that it is. I hope to continue to do so. I have gleaned so much from the people who post here, and I hope I can give something, anything, back.
So this is an entreaty to all who read, post, or not: I don't mean for this to be a "let's just all get along" sort of thing. I think the free exchange of information from all levels of players is imperative to all of our safety and success, and to Whitney's protection. But let's put egos aside for awhile. We all have important points of view, from past experiences to weekly adventures.
Doug, thanks for a great day at the Portal. Glad we got it cleaned up a bit.
Rest of the pics are
here .
From the luckiest girl in the world: Climb Hard, Be Safe.
-L
