Appalachian Trail record-setter says Baxter State Park officials 'vilifying' him - Pr

[WhiteBlaze]

Press Herald

Appalachian Trail record-setter says Baxter State Park officials 'vilifying' him Press Herald On July 12, Jurek broke the previous world record by completing the entire Appalachian Trail – which stretches 2,185 miles from Georgia to Maine – in 46 days, eight hours and eight minutes. The feat garnered international media attention for Jurek, ... It's a long, long trail ...Waterbury Republican American Climbing Maine's Katahdin is not for sissiesThe Japan Times all 4 news articles »

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[TJ aka Teej]

Can we get a Jurek filter on the news feed? Now he's whining the 12 man film crew he brought with him wasn't "with him".

[Rain Man]

Can we get a Jurek filter on the news feed? Now he's whining the 12 man film crew he brought with him wasn't "with him".

I've been biting my tongue and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the more he blames others, the less neutral I feel towards this professional athlete.

[Jeff]

I've been biting my tongue and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the more he blames others, the less neutral I feel towards this professional athlete.

Well said.

[colorado_rob]

Can we get a Jurek filter on the news feed? Now he's whining the 12 man film crew he brought with him wasn't "with him".

What we REALLY need is a self-righteous, holier-than-thou filter.

[Traveler]

What we REALLY need is a self-righteous, holier-than-thou filter.

Yes, that would be nice.

All one has to do at BSP is follow the rules. If you can't, just don't go into the park. That simple. If you get caught not following them, don't whine about the ticket. Rules are clear, enforcement actions can be the result. Deal with it straight up.

[Lone Wolf]

All one has to do at BSP is follow the rules. If you can't, just don't go into the park. That simple.

all BSP officials have to do is enforce rules with ZERO tolerance, equally across the board, and not pick and choose who to mess with. that simple

[Traveler]

all BSP officials have to do is enforce rules with ZERO tolerance, equally across the board, and not pick and choose who to mess with. that simple

I see. So break the rules then whine when you get caught because others didn't get caught is your position. Fair enough. Though a commercial event is a lot different than solitary hikers. I respect your position, though its not one I would embrace.

[Shae]

all BSP officials have to do is enforce rules with ZERO tolerance, equally across the board, and not pick and choose who to mess with. that simple

Ditto. Well said.

[rickb]

Yes, that would be nice.

All one has to do at BSP is follow the rules. If you can't, just don't go into the park. That simple. If you get caught not following them, don't whine about the ticket. Rules are clear, enforcement actions can be the result. Deal with it straight up.

Juerek was not only cited for infractions, he was publicly shamed by the park director himself.

One way he was shamed was by the public accusation of littering.

That the Park Director elected not to share that this charge was based on Champagne Spray at the time the headlines were written is telling.

[Traveler]

Juerek was not only cited for infractions, he was publicly shamed by the park director himself.

One way he was shamed was by the public accusation of littering.

That the Park Director elected not to share that this charge was based on Champagne Spray at the time the headlines were written is telling.

Given there were discussions with the sponsors about this commercial event taking place, including how media has to work in the park, I find the whining about all this to be a lot of noise about something that could have/should have been avoided.

Follow the rules, if you don't and you get caught, Cowboy up a little and don't whine about it, pay the fine, say you are sorry, and move on. If your opinion is the park made an example of him by public "shaming", Scott only has himself and/or a few people in his "posse" that exposed him to that. It wasn't you or I, the regulatory landscape of BSP, or the enforcement actions that provided the opportunity for BSP to drive the issue once they got the car. Support for busting park regs because "others do it too" is its own worst enemy as a defense.

[Driver8]

Yes, that would be nice.

All one has to do at BSP is follow the rules. If you can't, just don't go into the park. That simple. If you get caught not following them, don't whine about the ticket. Rules are clear, enforcement actions can be the result. Deal with it straight up.

Sorry, AT Traveler, but if a ranger OKs your party size at KSC you should't then get cited because other people than those 12 lingered at the summit, people you don't even know, most of them, to celebrate with you. That's abuse of authority. You ok with that?

Likewise, it's piling on to give him a ticket for alcohol at the summit when the ranger OK'd his friend bringing it and he didn't even know about it. He violated the rule, but the park employees at the summit didn't say anything to stop it - they were too busy cheering him on with everyone else - that's all there to be seen in the videos on Runner's World's site. Does that not bother you?

I'm all for abiding by reasonable rules and their reasonable and fair enforcement. And I think these rules are all reasonable. But are you saying the way Baxter handled this has caused you no concern? To give the ok to something and then to ticket it is pretty bush league, as I see it.

[Traveler]

Sorry, AT Traveler, but if a ranger OKs your party size at KSC you should't then get cited because other people than those 12 lingered at the summit, people you don't even know, most of them, to celebrate with you. That's abuse of authority. You ok with that?

Likewise, it's piling on to give him a ticket for alcohol at the summit when the ranger OK'd his friend bringing it and he didn't even know about it. He violated the rule, but the park employees at the summit didn't say anything to stop it - they were too busy cheering him on with everyone else - that's all there to be seen in the videos on Runner's World's site. Does that not bother you?

I'm all for abiding by reasonable rules and their reasonable and fair enforcement. And I think these rules are all reasonable. But are you saying the way Baxter handled this has caused you no concern? To give the ok to something and then to ticket it is pretty bush league, as I see it.

If you were privy to the conversations I will defer to you. I was not. However my point remains simple. Its not our house, they make the rules, one must inform themselves of those rules as ignorance of them is not an excuse. Do I have concerns about BSP handling of this? I don't know enough about it to have any opinion about that or how Jurek and his sponsors have handled it. Again, its a simple point I make.

Fair or not, its the way it is. Bush league, or commercial interests, either way I've no opinion. Jurek has a high profile, so would anything that happened there that involved him. I've no beef with Jurek or BSP on this or anything they opt to do, regardless if I feel it foolish or vain.

[AO2134]

What we REALLY need is a self-righteous, holier-than-thou filter.

But no one would have the benefit and extreme privilege of reading my posts. . .

Rules are rules. If he broke them, then he should pay the fine. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse. That being said, the idea that Jurek hasn't been specially targeted doesn't get much traction to me. In the last year, has he been the only one to break the rules? I am sure others who are nameless also have broken the rules. Why do I know about him? The reason is because it served a purpose, and I am not sure that bringing additional awareness to the rules was that purpose.

I've seen the "partying" type of thru hikers who have done more damage in a single day then Scott did during his entire journey.

Just my self-righteous, holier-than-thou 2 cents. . . .

[rickb]

That being said, the idea that Jurek hasn't been specially targeted doesn't get much traction to me. In the last year, has he been the only one to break the rules? I am sure others who are nameless also have broken the rules. Why do I know about him?

Facts might help inform your opinion on this issue.

Attached below are the most recent records (published last fall for 2013) for both warnings and citations:

Attachment 31567

image.jpg

[jersey joe]

Facts might help inform your opinion on this issue.

Attached below are the most recent records (published last fall for 2013) for both warnings and citations:

Attachment 31567

image.jpg

Something in this record jumped out at me.
Someone was cited for having a child under 6 above tree line?
Is this really a rule?

[squeezebox]

Lone wolf
When my son was 3 years old he complained a whole lot about "that's not fair" at age 20 HE has learned to live with it.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Can we get a Jurek filter on the news feed?.

Second that...

[Praha4]

my respect for Jennifer Phar Davis has only grown since I've read more about the way the Jurek expedition conducted itself in Baxter State Park.

[squeezebox]

Scott has done more damage to the AT with his misbehavior and arrogance than any other individual in history. Certainly more damage to the relationship with BSP than any other person ever. Not the way any professional acts. We need to strip him of his claim as record holder.
A plea to Scott. Please stay off our trails you have done enough damage already.