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Re: Why Support Trail Gear?
At the beginning of the trip we handed out copies of the forest rules as provided by the local rangers. We also invited a local ranger to speak with our group before we hit the trail. After speaking to our group Friday Morning, the ranger continued with our group for a few miles. I stayed with the group until we reach the first obstacle “Chicken Rock”. After this point I took up the rear of the group and made sure no one got left behind. There were 4 of us in the rear group, including my parents, Eric from YotaMasters and a Red pickup with a narrowed front hood joined the back of the group shortly after Chicken Rock.
Our group of four stayed on the trail and did not do any climbs off the trail or next to the trail while we traveled to the second camp site. I asked the ranger specifically about obstacles on the sides of the trail. I asked him about the “25’ rule” used on the Rubicon. He said that they did not use that rule and that many parts of the trail are much narrower than 25’ and he would appreciate it if we would say on the “traveled path”. I and those that traveled with me followed these rules to the “T” and did not stray off the trail except when passing another group or allowing others to pass us. Then we pulled off only far enough to allow the pass and did “Crawl” over anything along the sides of the trail.
We arrived at camp on the second night several hours after the other two groups due other traffic ahead of us and some minor troubles with our rigs.
The following morning (Saturday) my Father and I left the group and returned home driving back the way we came in. The other two groups continued on toward Ershim lake. Thirteen of the 25 rigs completed the trail driving all the way to the exit. The other rigs that did not complete the trail drove back to the entrance on Sunday.
I did not know about what went on in the other groups until I returned home and saw photos that were posted
I personally believe that TG does bear a share of the responsibility for any wrong doing occurring on a run it hosted. As an employee of the company I am at least partiality to blame for what occurred and I truly regret what has occurred. The local Prather rangers know who I am, where I work and what I drive. I have and will do anything the rangers ask of me.
I believe that Trail-Gear made a reasonable effort about informing the group about route, rules and group plans. We also spent considerable time reviewing the rigs, talking with the drivers and making contingency plans in case of major brake downs.
I don’t know what I can/should do to make this right but I feel badly about what happened on this run.
Chris Geiger
Marketing & Web Design
Trail-Gear Inc.
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