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Messages 1 - 54 of total 54 in this topic

Clint Cummins

Trad climber

SF Bay area, CA

Aug 19, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

Way cool, Ron - thanks for sharing the stories!

fear

Ice climber

hartford, ct

Aug 19, 2014 - 07:37pm PT

Sounds like you got a lot of wood back then.

HighDesertDJ

Trad climber

Aug 19, 2014 - 07:40pm PT

Are these people stealing firewood or are they actually milling it?

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Aug 19, 2014 - 07:45pm PT

Did you ever dress up like a tree to catch a poacher..? Never knew you were a wood pig...?

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Aug 19, 2014 - 07:50pm PT

Down here rumor has it the poachers said " rat " in the woods , not pigs...

zBrown

Ice climber

Brujò de la Playa

Aug 19, 2014 - 07:51pm PT

Sheeit Mr. Anderson, you had me at LEO level 3 of region 4, so I stopped reading. I will return and finish the rather lengthy diatribe, but my attention span is not what it used to be (back in the summer of '69, when I did not get my first six-g.. er .. six string).

Oh yeah, I fought the law (and the law usually won).

.

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Aug 19, 2014 - 09:03pm PT

Fritz....! Ron throws down with the 925xtra long sword...Un guard...!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Aug 19, 2014 - 09:41pm PT

I got a woody, Ron. I love it when you tell yur sweet lies. :0)

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Aug 19, 2014 - 09:43pm PT

LEO-baiting! LEO-baiting! Write him up! Write him up!

ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber

SLO, Ca

Aug 19, 2014 - 10:33pm PT

Good stuff! I was "level 2" USFS law enforcement. I HATED it. On the one hand I had no gun and always had to deal with twitchy armed rednecks. On the other I just never liked hassling people over camping or whatever. I wrote one ticket during those two years-- total drunk guy blasting a shotgun all night. In a campground!! Found him the next morning, mouth open catching flies passed out. I hope they got rid of of the level 2 category. I left it all to fight fires...

Clint Cummins

Trad climber

SF Bay area, CA

Aug 19, 2014 - 10:34pm PT

Undercover in the woods, and caught the guys - pretty cool.
Not your standard TV city crime stories!

Jon Beck

Trad climber

Oceanside

Aug 19, 2014 - 11:00pm PT

Interesting perspective Ron, TFPU. Someone once told me that an anti-theft technique was to spray potential xmass trees near roads with animal piss that froze on the trees, if a poacher cut the tree it would thaw out and reek. Is that true and does it really work?

Norwegian

Trad climber

dancin on the tip of god's middle finger

Aug 20, 2014 - 03:18am PT

no john,
we call those piss fir, otherwise known as white fir.

their sap smells like
crotch after a multi-day
intimacy binge.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Aug 20, 2014 - 03:28am PT

"White Fir oil is also soothing to rheumatic pain, and great for muscles (or joints) that have been overworked or are tired. It is excellent for pain that has been brought on from inflammation."--Piss Fir Willie Gibbons

http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/white-fir-oil.html

A poem (not a haiku) from Jim Dodge.

HARD WORK

Boys, I've listened to your horseshit enough.
You want to know what hard work is, listen up:
I've rode a misery whip; carried hod;
Pulled green-chain; broke big rocks into little rocks;
Whupped a hundred miles of picket fence;
Set choker in country so rough
You were doing good if you could crawl downhill.
I've fought wildfire; lugged sandbags against floods;
Bucked hay till I was tripping on my tongue;
And made so damn much split stuff
I plumb wore out a sledgehammer head
And a couple o' pairs of elk-hide gloves.
So you boys can write it down as gospel when I tell you
The hardest work you'll find in this world
Is digging the grave for someone you loved.

kunlun_shan

Mountain climber

SF, CA

Aug 20, 2014 - 09:40am PT

Very interesting thread, Ron.

Great stories! Could make an interesting book.

Wade Icey

Trad climber

www.alohashirtrescue.com

Aug 20, 2014 - 11:01am PT

and letting him know everything was good..

it's the LEO code, eh Ron..bust the crooks...unless they're cops.

Wade Icey

Trad climber

www.alohashirtrescue.com

Aug 20, 2014 - 11:37am PT

fair enough Ron- Good stories.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Aug 20, 2014 - 12:05pm PT

"And i always attempted to make a violator an informed user of the forest if i could. Even as far as writing permits on the spot to folks who were in deep confusion,or not initiated to the ways of the woods. As much as i was called pig of the woods locally, i was also invited to dinners, parties, and would be greeted in stores and such by hundreds upon hundreds of those that had very nice dealings with me in the woods."

Ronline Ron is like, different from this guy to many of you who've wrangled with him on the pages of El Taco, "The Echo of the Voice of the Cliffs."

It's the internet,
Soooo not what you get
In real Life With Ron.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Aug 20, 2014 - 01:17pm PT

This is one for Dingus Milktoast.

This is for norwegian.

skitch

climber

East of Heaven

Aug 20, 2014 - 01:40pm PT

I helped out an LEO, or FPO (whichever is the lower ranking) for a summer, we worked the north end of the Bighorn Mountains, mostly warning people on ATVs that they are only supposed to travel on trails shown on the map. I really liked the guy that I worked with, but I had a hard time giving a sh!t if people took there ATV on a road that looked to be there longer than I've been alive, but just happened to not be on the official trail map.

A couple years ago, when I was hard up for a job, I was offered a job doing ATV-LEO(??)FPO(??) work for the summer out of Cody Wyoming. I probably would have taken it if I didn't get this permanent gig as an administrative d-bag. I'm not sure I ever would have cared enough to do the job effectively, my give-a-sh!t section of the brain has never worked terribly well, and I hate being an authority figure. The world is fvcked and we are just getting in the way. . .

Patrick Sawyer

climber

Originally California now Ireland

Aug 20, 2014 - 02:26pm PT

Ron you and I do not always see eye to eye but I enjoyed some of your stories.

I do not hunt nor fish (fishing boats in Alaska, summer 1977, that's it), and I am not against legal (humane if possible) hunting. I'll eat what you catch or kill (love elk). I just don't like guns (there are reasons).

Now, I have a nephew, five years younger (my one brother and his wife were quite, quite young, but still happily married to this day, though their three kids are divorced).

Let's call him Mick. He was actually more like a younger brother than nephew, we used to party.

But Mick fell out with me over Clinton (never voted for the guy, but there was an agenda to get him I said), and Mick being somewhat a redneck truck driver, well. We got into a discussion over the phone in 1998 - California/Ireland - and he disowned me. Barred all my emails, I didn't his and subsequently always got a lot of Ted Nugent rants from him.

We sort of made up at my mom's funeral but then he gets a burr up his rearside about Obama (again a person I never voted for).

Anyway, I am asking his father my oldest brother, what is Mick's problem is. then I add (never insult your brother's son I later learned)…

Okay, I mention to my bro' that Mick thinks he is the great hunter. Yeah, I then ask, caught by California F&G hunting deer off season with headlights, easy kill. Convicted and fined.

Or the time he found a place along the coast where at low tide, walk out and pry the abalone off the rock, sometimes ten or so at a time (correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it the law to firstly, only use snorkels and secondly max limit of two). He boasted about that. Again he was finally busted for that. Convicted, more fines.

However, my brother, who I love, was not appreciative of me mentioning Mick's poaching, eh, habits. Won't talk or email me.

So, outside of the above useless info, I appreciate people like you and others who do guard against poachers.

bergbryce

climber

East Bay, CA

Aug 20, 2014 - 03:11pm PT

Ah, the good 'ol days when the good 'ol boys looked out for each other and made sure no one got more than a polite "warning".
So if it was some random dude with his son or family they would have gotten the book thrown at them??

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 20, 2014 - 04:43pm PT

Way to fight the good fight, Ron. Too bad that all the USFS LEO's do around
here is right fake cites for lack of an 'Adventure Pass.'

Now I'm thinking that the Chinese aren't so far off base with their 'Re-education Camps'.

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Aug 20, 2014 - 07:26pm PT

I always recited the line about Centerville , from Zappas 200 motels whenever i drove by the Centerville bar..." Centerville , a nice place to raise your kids" ...Didn't know it burned...

labrat

Trad climber

Auburn, CA

Aug 20, 2014 - 07:51pm PT

I am really enjoying the stories Ron! Thank you for posting them.
Erik

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Aug 20, 2014 - 08:54pm PT

I'd probably torch a bar that stuck pins in me...

BurnRockBurn

climber

South of Black Rock City (CC,NV)

Aug 20, 2014 - 10:28pm PT

Nice stories Ron. Cool history of the area.
Shawn

Sredni Vashtar

Social climber

out in front

Aug 21, 2014 - 12:03am PT

Thanks for posting Ron, good reading

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 21, 2014 - 11:00am PT

WTF? I've ridden across plenty of cattle guards - a little bumpy but maybe
I'm smart enough to have figgered out that yer sposed to ride across them
at a ninety degree angle?

krahmes

Social climber

Stumptown

Aug 21, 2014 - 09:54pm PT

I like these tales Ron, how about some stories about the fish(es) that got away; that is if you got any.

Clint Cummins

Trad climber

SF Bay area, CA

Aug 21, 2014 - 10:53pm PT

Thanks for the latest stories - I was worried you were running low!

Ian White

Mountain climber

Dubois, Wyoming

Aug 22, 2014 - 11:54pm PT

Lurking for years. I never say much round here. However, I gotta say, I've been checking in very frequently in anticipation of getting to hear the next story!!!! I don't get mobile for much at 2am, but we are all waiting!!!....

BUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dirtbag

climber

Aug 23, 2014 - 08:52am PT

Dude you have a trillion GREAT stories!

Clint Cummins

Trad climber

SF Bay area, CA

Aug 23, 2014 - 12:07pm PT

These are great, Ron! I'm laughing so hard the tears are comin' out!

Ken M

Mountain climber

Los Angeles, Ca

Aug 23, 2014 - 12:56pm PT

Ron, I mean this in all seriousness.....you definitely have the makings of a book, here.

kunlun_shan

Mountain climber

SF, CA

Aug 23, 2014 - 02:26pm PT

Ron, I agree with Ken that you have the makings of a book. Very entertaining stories with some interesting history as well.

Not that authors make money, but a lot of people would enjoy reading your tales. Find a good editor and you'll be set.

kunlun_shan

Mountain climber

SF, CA

Aug 23, 2014 - 03:28pm PT

You dont think anyone would actually pay for this kinda stuff do ya?

If its put together in a nice readable format (experienced editors are the people to help with this), I'm sure people would buy a book of your stories.

I'd buy it in a second. You're a great story teller, Ron. You have a knack for picking out certain details.

Ken M

Mountain climber

Los Angeles, Ca

Aug 23, 2014 - 05:21pm PT

Ron, seriously, I know about this stuff.

There is a possibility of serious publishing to be done.

It would take little time on your part, because you've already done a lot of it.

There would need to be some significant editing done, although I'd personally not change the folksy style that comes naturally to you...I think it adds to the feeling of the pieces.

ClimbingOn

Trad climber

Aug 23, 2014 - 05:26pm PT

Really excellent stories and the "real deal." Keep them coming!

Ken M

Mountain climber

Los Angeles, Ca

Aug 23, 2014 - 05:48pm PT

"Adventures of a Pro in the Forest"-

I think is the working title.

WBraun

climber

Aug 23, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

140 tall trees will put up 300 feet of flame sometimes.

Yep

Saw it last year live during the rim fire from Helitack.

tradmanclimbs

Ice climber

Pomfert VT

Aug 23, 2014 - 07:42pm PT

Ron. i have read every word of this story. i am certain that the fire crew stories are just as good or better. As a starving artist myself i worry a bit about you giving it all up for free on the internet. probobly if you read the fine print of the supertopo user agreement you might find that you no longer own the content that you post. As much as i like reading the stories i would like them better if you held off on them here and got a real book published.
thanks,

tradmanclimbs

Ice climber

Pomfert VT

Aug 23, 2014 - 08:48pm PT

Ron, I love reading the stories. but it would be way more cool to have a nice real book with photos in it. just wondering if putting it all out on the taco might keep you from being able to put it in a book or perhaps lessen the chances of the book getting published?

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

mammoth lakes ca

Aug 23, 2014 - 10:09pm PT

Ron.....Any ideas for the name of your Book..?

Lanthade

climber

Aug 23, 2014 - 11:49pm PT

From the terms like below:
"Your Intellectual Property Rights
SuperTopo claims no ownership or control over any Content submitted, posted or displayed by you on or through SuperTopo services. You or a third party licensor, as appropriate, retain all patent, trademark and copyright to any Content you submit, post or display on or through SuperTopo services and you are responsible for protecting those rights, as appropriate."

It does go on more, pretty much stuff to make it possible to legally run this site.

Ron's fine posting his stuff. Fortunately CMac isn't a IP grabbing dick like some site operators are. If Ron wants to make a book and publish then he'd better hope more people than just the taco will buy it. As such posting the stuff here won't hurt him unless he sets his sights way too low.

tradmanclimbs

Ice climber

Pomfert VT

Aug 24, 2014 - 05:41am PT

that is nice to know! I was under the impression that RC.com claimed ownership of all posted stuff. i deleted my climbing guide info from that site. Also pretty shure that facbook claims ownership of your posts.
Ron. thanks for the great stories. they have an Ed Abby ring to them.

crunch

Social climber

Aug 26, 2014 - 11:10am PT

These are some great stories, Ron!

Thanks!

Clint Cummins

Trad climber

SF Bay area, CA

Aug 26, 2014 - 12:03pm PT

The "breath of experience bit, where they started shuffling people all over the country to become more "well rounded" was also IMO an epic failure. EVERY district out there has unique challenges and it takes one years to develop a feel for those challenges. Timber and brush mngmt plans are made for 50 yr or more cycles.

My dad is a forester (Weyerhauser in the 60s, then taught forestry at a community college 70s-90s), and agrees completely.

SC seagoat

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, or In What Time Zone Am I?

Aug 26, 2014 - 01:45pm PT

Been enjoying this and look forward to each installment. Like a good olde classical serial!
That whole shuffling around of personnel was endemic in many professions at that time. It must have come out of some business school "research". It was a "five year" shuffle in my profession.

Susan

tradmanclimbs

Ice climber

Pomfert VT

Aug 26, 2014 - 03:57pm PT

Ron, if you write the book give us the good stories and leave the bad inter office/ management crap out of it. we all deal with poor decisions or polocys from higher up that affect our work and frankly we don't want to hear about it. we want heros and high times in the back woods. keep it fun the way you have been!
hard times on the job are good as well and the tradgedys that make what you did so meanigfull make a good read. we probobly don't want a book full of sour grapes about how the govt screwed up and can't do anything right anymore...