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Each fresh peak ascended teaches something.
-- Sir Martin Conway
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land yet again...
 Posted: Jul 24, 2010 - 09:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Friday, July 23rd
Euroman was thinking about a possible restless spirit wondering near FP all night. Euroman was tired but did not sleep very well up at 4:30. Made some waffles. He thought this would be a easy day, wrong again. Euroman believes he is caught in Twilight Zone world of SAR's. Perhaps odd type of payment for his various accidents in the past. 5 mins before shift start at noon a radio call comes in, broken ankle in the subway. Euroman can't believe this is happening. 421 is Incident Commander. He sends Euroman down to the subway the same spot he was 3 days ago. Euroman reluctantly goes. He learns later 421 almost didn't send because of yesterdays mileage. Euroman is very tired and extremely hot by the time he reaches the top of the subway where a volunteer bc ranger is acting as radio relay. Euroman sends the volunteer down 300 ft into subway to help another BC ranger with the patient and Euroman will act as the radio relay. 421 agrees. Euroman is near his end. The hiker's partners decide they will leave because they have never done the Subway. Euroman notices loyalty is not very common in this area. If you are hurt or slow, they leave you and expect others to help. It takes 5 hours more SAR team members arrive to move patient to pickup area that is clear of the cannon walls and for heli to arrive to insert medic on a short line. It comes back a hour later and short hauls both out. SAR team and Euroman must now make the grueling hike out. The rest has done Euroman well, plus the company of other rangers push him back into CCM form. By 7:30 everyone is back at trail head. Euroman is very very tired but he was pleased with effort. Back to main canyon for debrief. Euroman thinks its funny his supervisor 421 didn't he was going the Grand Canyon. He also tells 421 he would like to change his schedule for tomorrow. Instead of a backcountry patrol he will work the KT road. Presuming there isn't a SAR. Euroman likes this flexibility. FP by 10:00. Sammie at 10:01. Euroman awaits arrival of next Goat and Seabiscut family. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land special assignment
Posted: Jul 26, 2010 - 10:23 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Saturday, July 25th.
Euroman still nervous about restless spirit. He rested in the morning headed for HQ to clean monster truck and pickup uniform for secret mission. By the time he was heading back to KT 423 had guy pulled over for DWI. This got complicated because of 11 y.o boy that was a passenger. This was a good stop by 423, driver was more than twice the legal limit, failed every test. Before the arrest was complete, huge storm breaks in the main canyon, all the slots are flashing. Euroman and 423 believe they will end up in a wet canyon rescue. The calls start coming in, 3 different rescue are starting. Euroman and 423 finish up DWI stop and go lights and siren to HQ, always fun. By the time they arrive one rescue has resolved itself the other was going to be handled by county. The last was 2 victims that were swept off a 60 ft waterfall. This would be another short haul. Euroman was lucky, he just had to work the helipad where he was dealt a crushing blow. Head BC rangerett who Euroman meet working BC desk was Heli ops person. Euroman was having much fun with her until heli fire crew guys comes over an gives her a kiss. They was not - Hi haven't seen in a long time friendly greeting kiss. This was - Hey I just saw you this morning after great sex kiss. They needed 3 choppers, last victim lifted out with only 3 minutes of flight time before heli would have to shutdown for darkness.
Euroman was assigned to guard the heli till 2:00 am when 411 would take over. Another long day. Several ranger teams had planned to do canyons today, they all called off their plans due to the 30 pct. chance of thunderstorms and increasing cloud cover.
Sunday July 25th.
Euroman got few hours sleep than up to pack for Grand Canyon mission. He was in rush and forgot to pack bullet proof vest. Stopped at HQ to pickup a spare also picked up 419 a canyon ranger who was going with him. By now everyone seem to know the mission.
The Vice President is visiting GC, Euroman and 419 are supplement rangers. Takes 5 hours to drive to south rim. As usually Euroman was provided false information by supervising federallies. They were suppose to have private rooms at the very nice training center, than it was motel rooms, it turn out to be a vacant house. No furniture, towels, soap, just empty shell. Euroman and 419 tour the main area, picked up some sammies. They were told they would be part of the motorcade detail. Briefing tomorrow.
Monster truck needs to be washed again. Now Euroman enters bizardo land. 419 & Euroman need sheets and towels they decide to go to the lodging areas in the park to procure some from hotel. They take the marked monster truck at first they play it honest and ask some employees if they can have towels and sheets. They say everything is locked up. Smart rangers do not believe them an start search in all the buildings, They find with a open basement. There are bins with what look like clean sheets, they grab several and leave. They believe there mission was a success. Back at the house they discover the sheets are really table cloths. 419 is spending as much time on the phone with his dispatcher girlfriend as DollarCarol do when they are a part. Euroman enjoys a Sammie. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land tThe VP is safe.
Posted: Jul 28, 2010 - 11:32 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Monday, July 26th.
Restful night under a tablecloth. Made another run on the lodge, this time came away with soap, shampoo and towel. Logistics meeting at 1:00 with all units. Euroman learned where he would be posted. He guards a corner, stops all traffic. This is a amazing amount of work and expense for a 4 hour visit. VP flies in with family and friends, 28 car motorcade, shutdown park, short speech, picnic and return. It must cost millions. Euroman's uniform is pressed, leather polished. Monster truck is looking like the pride of the fleet. He, 429 and another ranger go to Awhanee type lodge for finally Sammie's on tap and nachos.
Tuesday, July 27th.
Tablecloth is needed again, up at 5. The plan starts to come together. Another briefing at 6. Euroman gets to see some of the secret service agents. 9:00 Euroman on post - stand and wait. Every other post had a vehicle where they could sit and wait. Euroman's monster truck pride of fleet was taken away an given to 419. Euroman was not happy. Bomb squad comes around checking various places, heli flies over several times, many secret services car, county police. Around 10:30 it was show time. He must first close 2 roads. Than massive motorcade comes through Euroman's post. Euroman is not allowed to look he must look at the crowd for suspicious people and cars. 28 cars later its over. Now more standing and waiting. At 2:45 motorcade comes back. Same routine. The crowd is very small, a handful of people. No seems to care about this Vice President. By 4:00 Euroman and 419 are driving back to Zion. Before they leave they stop at the operations area to check out where Euroman meets two for the cutes rangeretts. The next special assignment he will know where to hang out, it will not be on the roads. They do not make it out of the Grand Canyon without more questions from tourist, it never stops even when they are not wearing the traditional uniform just T-shirt that says US Park Ranger, jeans and side arm. Euroman must admit it looks very cool. Euroman and 419 have very much the same attitude towards rangering. They both believe it is so much fun, partly because they can do so many things no one else can do. They Re-enter Zion's east side at 9:00 and have to drive through the road closure. By 10:30 Euroman drops of 419 and heads for FP. He makes the mistake of looking at the left fork trail head, just a habit. There are 2 cars, one has it lights on and some guy on a cell. He is talking to dispatch & supervisor 413 about his missing wife and son. Euroman can't even make it back home without a SAR. He feels like Patton marching across Europe to launch into battle without a rest. Euroman has been up 17 hours, drove across the state and at 11:15 he is hiking down into the left fork. He is missing his headlamp using a flashlight without extra batteries, the skies is very cloudy with lightening. 413 says not to do anything he is not comfort with, Euroman is not comfortable with any of this. Euroman decides he will go down to the river he finds nothing and comes back up. He sees no headlamps or hears no sounds. When he reaches the top he hears a whistle, then sees a light. After talking again with 413, he goes back down. Euroman finds the son, a 30 year man, his mother is further down to tired to move. Since Euroman really can't do anything about that, he gives the son all his water, food and a bivvy shelter. The son and mother will stay the night and hike up in morning when she is rested. Euroman notifies 413 of the resolution, 413 is happy. Euroman goes back up again. Tells the father at the trail head the plan. Euroman makes it back to FP by 1:00 for Sammie time. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land resting
Posted: Jul 30, 2010 - 09:05 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Wednesday, July 28th.
Euroman was slow to start with a few hours sleep. Took the Pride of the Fleet into the auto shop. Seems the rear brake pads are not there any longer. Euroman now knows what the strange sounds were. POF will get new brakes and tires. He will be using 413's explorer for a few days. Euroman spent time patrolling the many canyon. Nothing much happening. No SARs'. The people from last night walked out around 9:30 am. Euroman is back at FP by 7:30. Needs to get ready for early morning slot canyon with 421. Quick Sammie.
Thursday, July 29th.
Finally a rest for Euroman. He is ready to go early but 421 calls saying the weather forecast call for 50 pct chance of T-storms, high flash flood watch. Euroman is free to do whatever he wants. He decides to go to the main canyon, run, do wash, some paper work then find some other ranger to join him on the KT. It all works fairly well. 417 wants to experience the KT. The weather pattern seems to definitely have changed, cooler, wetter, rains on and off most of the day. Euroman gives 417 a tour of the KT.
417 tells Euroman he can get him a job Park City, Ut. as ski patrol this winter. Euroman will consider. Off at 4:30. This is the first evening he will have to himself in sometime. The last two weeks he has put in almost 80 of overtime. Euroman makes his favorite mega burrito. Cleans house and relaxes. Enjoys a Sammie. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land easy days.
Posted: Aug 01, 2010 - 06:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Friday, July 30th
Euroman spent shift time doing a little of everything. Part way through a SAR was developing in the narrows. Euroman came into his own, he was the lead operations guy, knew all the components. This would be first test of the rubber ducky for victim float out. The usual raft was in for repairs. Weather was ugly high risk of storms. The 41's were mainly the team, 417,418,419. This was most unusual since till now it was mostly the 42's - 423,424 who participated. Euroman made it know the distinction between 41's and 42's. Canyon vs. KT rangers. SAR was called off just as they were about to enter narrows. Euroman spent remainder of shift patrolling canyon. Even patrolled campgrounds something he had not done since Rocky days, felt very weird. Back to FP by 8:30 for Sammie time.
Saturday, July31st
Euroman made a early trip to the canyon to straighten out a EMT certification problem with 412 EMS coordinator and CT people. He is trying to keep his CT Intermediate lic.. High flash flood warnings is keeping BC patrols out of the canyons. Euroman has special assignment to remove some misplaced boundary signs. Meets up with 423 around noon for KT patrol. With bad weather traffic is light. Euroman makes a few stops. His last was a female doing 50 in a 35. Usually means a ticket. He pulls her over, makes the customary approach, see she is cute. Euroman ask for lic & registration. She hands him the lic. and has to reach far over to glove box for registration. She is wearing low cut jeans and short top. Euroman is trained to be observant. He is suppose to be watching her hands in the glove box instead his attention is diverted to other areas. 423 arrives. He asks if Euroman is going to give her a ticket, Euroman laughs and says no. He ends his shift letting one get away. Euroman makes quick turnover, 418 arrives at FP to give him ride to shuttle bus to Las Vegas airport. Grover is packed ready for journey to pick up thier new home the Eurocave. They found a very nice corner in LV airport to spend the night. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land Eurocave no more
Posted: Aug 05, 2010 - 11:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Sunday, August 1st.
Nice corner in airport yet little sleep. The superheros did enjoy a first class flight. When Euroman switched dates because of VP mission, buying a first class seat cost the same as charge for changing dates. From here it was all down hill for the superhero team. Nothing would go right. Euroman met the eurocave owner at airport and drove back to his office. On the outside Euroman's new home looked ok. The inside was not what he was expecting. But not a great issue, nothing Euroman could not repair or clean. They exchanged keys and title. Euroman was anxious to get on the road. The vehicle had no AC so that meant windows open. After 180 miles gas gage was near empty, Euroman could not understand he should have gotten at least 300 miles. The next tank was the same, he was getting about 14 mpg not the 20 he was told. This mean filling up every couple of hours. The third fill up he forgot the gas cap at the pumps. Around 10:00 he needed something to drink, every place he went to for the next 3 hours was closed, broken, out of stock.
Monday, August 2nd.
Grover was to scared he never came out of the backpack. The night went by slowly.
Euroman was counting the miles. The trip ended around 3:30 pm. Euroman just wanted out of the vehicle. This would not be his Eurocave. He decided buying a vehicle over i-net is a lot like online dating. Expectation never live up to reality. He put it back on Ebay that night. Several Sammies were needed.
Tuesday, August 3rd.
Euroman was still in a daze from the journey. He had a afternoon shift with 423. First a drive to HQ for fuel than back to the KT. Later in the day it looked like 423 would have a arrest on a warrant. Turned out to be a out of country warrant for failure to appear $250. Didn't seem worth it so 423 let him go. He must be getting soft. Late in the day a SAR appear to be starting in the narrows since Euroman and 423 were both bored they took off for the main canyon to help out. Another chance to use the rubber ducky. This now seemed very routine to Euroman. About 8:30 it was called off, the victim walked out. Still a hour OT.
Wednesday, August 4th.
Most days lately flash flood watch has been medium to high. Not good times to be in the slots. Today Euroman, 423, 436 boy wonder and 439 BC volunteer rangerett were suppose to do Echo canyon. Euroman thought this was a dry canyon. He was informed it was very wet and one of the coldest. This did not make him happy. Chance of rain was 30 pct. , skies cloudy. They left HQ, Euroman was very doubtful. The hike up is steep, boy wonder and 423 were moving fast. Euroman did mine hanging back with 439. When they reach the junction to drop in it was decision time. Euroman had made up his mind long ago. The clouds were way thick and dark. Usually 423 makes the call. This time 436 asked Euroman what he thought, Euroman did not hesitate. He told them he would not go in, they could but Euroman would not. It was agreed it won't look good for a group of rangers to be caught in a flash. They headed back down. It was decided 3 would go in from the bottom to see if a snow barrier still was in place. Euroman believes
the real reason was to watch 439 undress and struggle to get in her very tight wet suit.
After returning the sequence was repeated. Euroman must admit it did make for a enjoyable morning. The rest of the day was spent back at HQ. Euroman returned to FP very tired wanting only to rest for the next days backcountry canyon. He started watching Avatar. About 8:30 he heard on the radio, 14 y.o boy broken ankle in the subway. Euroman sworn to save lives had to respond. He called dispatch said he was available and would have quick access from FP. 421 told him to prepare gear to go in spend the night. Euroman got ready and headed for left fork trail head. Apparently the boy had jumped down a obstacles near the beginning of the subway and broke his ankle. People a warned when getting their permits and there are signs about never jump. Oh well. The father had carried a mile but than stopped, left him with his mother and went for help.
Euroman waited at trail head for 421 to show up. It was now about 11:00 and another party of 12 was also over due. Just as they were about to head in, half the party of 12 came out. It was another church group. They said they meet the boy and were piggy backing him out. Euroman and 421 started in anyway after a short time they meet up with the church group and boy. It was encouraging to see people actually helping out other people and not just waiting for rangers. Euroman was back at FP by midnight 4 more hours OT. Bit he is not able to fall asleep.
Thursday, August 5th.
Bad night. Euroman up made some quick eggs and drove to HQ. Another ugly morning with little rain. Euroman figures this is a definitely no go in for todays slot. He meets with 421 to discuss the days plan. 421 says there is a low flash potential and only 20 pct chance of rain. 422 has canceled his plans to do another slot. 421 seems still to want to go. Euroman says he does not want to end up with a bleeding rectum like the guy who was washed out of spry. 421 reluctantly agrees. Euroman kills time with a short hike, fixes a radio problem, restocks pride of the fleet and does his wash. By 2:00 there is massive dark clouds everywhere, flash flood warning in effect and heavy rains. 421 tells Euroman its a good thing they didn't go. Euroman has been very happy with his go-no go decision of late. At FP he finishes watching Avatar. Euroman wants to be a Avatar.
Euroman thoughts..... He will not come back to Zion next year as a KT ranger, perhaps as canyon LE. The pluses of having lots of freedom, being one of the cool SAR rangers, cooler temps and lots of OT. Do not out weight the hassle of living up there, no social life, not enough variety of law enforcement since it's mostly traffic stops. Euroman is also not crazy about BC patrols in the slots. Euroman liked Rocky which let you choose your BC patrol...... Euroman is not impressed with quality of backcountry people. They leave their friends behind expect others to take care of them..... Got a very nice thank you email from the rescue of boy up at Kolob. They were very impressed by SAR teams work. Euroman is still waiting to see if the family that was saved will send a thank or if they are still thanking god...... With all the rescues so far only one thank you..... The search for true love continues, Euroman believe in it dwindles. Very little potential in this desert land. They are very young or with someone...... Euroman starts to think about next season, where will it take him. Back to the valley as a horse LE, perhaps Yellowstone, perhaps Acadia..... |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land CCO's
Posted: Aug 07, 2010 - 09:31 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Friday, August 6th.
Euroman left FP early to get a run in at the main canyon. As he was traveling on county roads outside his jurisdiction he was flagged down by a local who needed assistants. The guy had lost a wheel on his trailer, it came off because he forgot to tighten lug nuts. The tire flew off bouncing in a field 1/4 mile down the road. No cell phone coverage in the area so Euroman contacted dispatch to send up a tow. A happy local. Euroman continued on. He went for his run, took shower and got ready for a day patrol in the main canyon. 400 the Chief ranger comes by and asks for Euroman keys to Pride of the Fleet. Euroman realizes very quickly they are missing. 400 gives Euroman his keys which she picked up off the gym floor. Of course it had to be chief ranger who found them and not someone else, most embarrassing. Euroman thanked 400 and went on patrol. He spent several hours helping to arrange a tow and managing traffic for a large RV that broke down near the tunnel. Canyon rangers log this with dispatch as a CCO. Euroman does not know what that means but he thinks they are good and wants to log many. Late in the day he pulls a young California guy over for speeding. Euroman plans on just giving him a warning as usual. Except his license comes back as suspend. The guy says he had a DUI 2 years ago but that was clear now. Doesn't know why it would be suspended. Euroman should have written him a ticket with mandatory court appears and not allowed him to drive. He instead believes the guys story and lets him go with a warning. Euroman is sometimes to nice, he likes to believe everyone is telling him the truth. There is a good chance one of the supervisors will question this action. Euroman heads for the FP and Sammie time. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land Monsoons arrive
Posted: Aug 09, 2010 - 11:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Saturday, August 7th.
Euroman wakes to early morning major thunderstorm, very spooky at FP. This is most unusual. System is still in place at noon. 421 comes up to patrol the KT with Euroman.
Euroman must have made a dozen or so stops mostly speeding, all warnings. He stopped one car because the passenger was sitting on window frame leaning over the roof taking photos, Euroman just shakes his head. He meet several groups coming out of the subway. This is amazing giving the weather and high flash flood warning, what are these people are thinking Euroman does not know. He does know they were lucky. He does know all would want a rescue if something went wrong. Sammie time.
Sunday August 8th.
Woke to thunder and rain. First of 3 days off. Euroman wanted to go jumping, Grover wanted to go for a ride. By the time they reached the border skies were clear. Arrived at DZ in Mesquite at 10:00. Wind!. Yikes. Euroman thought it was blowing around 12-14mph. As he walked into the hang DZ manager said to windy for students but Euroman and 2 others could go up. Mgr said winds were 18, warned if winds hit 22 on the way up no jump. Usually Euroman's cut off is 15 mph, but he was mission driven having rode all this way. Plus grover was calling him a chicken. Euroman rationalized winds were steady not gusting witch was good. Wrong. The other 2 jumps were talking a big game when they going to full altitude, given the winds they would have to do a hop&pop also.
Euroman would be happy with 3,000 ft. , they wanted more, Euroman suggested 4,000, they settled on 5,000. They are not Airborne material. At 5k Euroman was out, he opened around 3k. Under canopy at 2k where the winds made for a very bumpy ride.
As he swung into final approach he is getting knock around. He does not like feeling of being 15ft above the ground than suddenly at 25ft. He keeps toggles down and gets push his left by a gust the wing is diving, he pulls the right toggle down as much as he can. Left foot makes contact first Euroman managers to stay upright to finish landing. DZ mgr comes over says that's it for the day, Euroman agrees. On the way back he picks additional supply of Sammie's and food. Back at FP thunderstorms continue. Euroman thinks he has pink without the pink. His eye is very watery and itchy.
Euroman thoughts... Very unsure of winter. Hoping Haiti jump comes about for late Nov. if not he might find ranger position. Euroman believes he has had a smoothing effect on 421 and 423, they seem to be writing less tickets, they are more tolerant.... Euroman believes he was a nomad in a former life...... He stills to find a better mode of travel, the Xbox will not do. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land easy day
Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 09:28 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Monday August 9th
The storms have left. Life is peaceful. When for a run. Boring day off, the superheros have no one to save, no one to play with. Early Sammie hour. Awaiting the Goat clan.
Tuesday August 10th.
Lost power, not enough sun. Euroman clean the FP, cleaned the RV still hoping for a quick sale. Got ready for a online date at 2:00. At 1:00 SAR in the main canyon. There was a potential need for a large team. The Superhero sworn to save lives and protect the innocent had to go. Made quick call to cancel date, changed, headed for canyon. Partway there SAR was called off. Superheros were disappointed. But since they would be paid a minimum number of call in hours 420 sent them to check on possible permit violators in subway. This also turned out to be nothing. Still the Superheros felt somewhat useful for the day. Minus the date.
Wednesday, August 11.
Euroman woke to darkness, power out again. Drove to canyon to meet the lovely BC rangerett 435 who would accompany Euroman down orderville today. The also lovely 439 would be ride to the trail head. Orderville is usually a dry canyon for most of the way, not this time. It was mud for much of the way and wet and cold the rest. 12 miles. Euroman was not happy after several dips into the cold muddy water. It took 6.5 hours, lots of slippery on rocks and mud, one fall into river. Euroman and 435 were glad this came to a end. Euroman was suppose to do the subway tomorrow with wonder boy 436, he going to have this changed. Sammie time.
Thursday, August 12th
Another early start down to the HQ. Meet 436, discussed several options. Decided on Lady mountain, thinking this would be a easy half day. Wrong again. Euroman and 436 left the pride of the fleet at trail about 9:00. This route is steep and hot. Way hot.
There are several spots where a rope is needed. By 10:30 they are slowing down the heat is incredible. By 11:15 they should have been on top, Euroman has had it no energy left. He finds some shade to rest. 436 goes on. A hour later he returns, 436 says he also failed to summit. They both start down. The down climb is very sketchy. A rope is used more often. About halfway down they 420 calls on the radio wanting to know how long it will l take to reach the trailhead. Apparently a older lady in motorized wheelchair has fallen off a paved trail near by. She is 20 ft down a embankment. They pick up their pace. This leads to some route finding errors. 420 calls again to say they are not needed. They return to HQ. Euroman does his wash. He is scheduled to leave for FP at 4:00, at 3:45 he is sent to shuttle several BC rangers around including 439. Euroman can not turn this down. He is than told he needs to go see payroll person. The easy day is not ending. Eventually heading back to FP. He quickly drives by the trailheads not stopping to check permits. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land Goat call
Posted: Aug 14, 2010 - 09:08 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Friday, August 13th.
Not a good nights sleep. Got call from 420, possible SAR in the subway need to get ready for early start. Euroman packs. Gets another call to stand down. Euroman starts regular shift at noon on the KT. He plays around because he has no back up, 423 is off and 421 is still in the main canyon. Euroman is getting bored, he decide if there is a egregious offense he will take action. Around 2:00 a vehicle goes by doing 51 in a 35, he must act. He pulls the car over. It seems like a ordinary stop, the driver is 30ish, a older women is a passenger. Euroman goes back to the pride of the fleet to call in the driver's lic. There is a long wait, Euroman senses something is wrong. Finally dispatch says "424 are you clear to copy". This means something is wrong, this is a bad guy, prehaps this stop wasn't such a good idea. Euroman adrenalin starts to flow. His backup is hour away. He quickly calculates that with his handgun, shotgun, M-16 and all his spare ammo he has about 200 rounds. He wonders if he make that last for a hour in a shoot out. At the same time his cell phone rings it's the Goat. Euroman needs to decide whether to answer the Goat and give him Euroman's last will and testimony. He also thinks perhaps it would be nice to hear a friendly voice before the shooting starts. Euroman decides to stay focused. Grover ducks behind the seat. Euroman, while keeping a very close eye on movement in the vehicle, replies to dispatch "clear to copy". Dispatch says there is a protection order against the driver, than after another long silence they say his lic. is suspend. Euroman comes down from death-con 4 alert. This is not that bad. The protection order is for a 30 y.o. female the passenger in the car is much older. Euroman walks back to talk again with the driver. The passenger is his mother. The order is for his former wife, the suspend lic. is unknown to him. Euroman tells the mother she will have to drive and lets him got with a verbal warning for spending. Euroman calls the Goat back, who is in San Francisco, making his way to FP with the Goat clan. Later in the day 421 arrives on the KT. Now Euroman can start pulling over everyone. Near end of shift a small car goes speeding by doing 52, Euroman flips around to pursue. He is sure he will write this guy ticket. Euroman starts question the driver, he is French with a very cute French girlfriend. The guy makes it worst by saying he left his lic at the motel. This makes everything extremely difficult. Writing a ticket is almost useless. Euroman wants to say, leave me your girlfriend and you can go. Euroman instead gives him his sternest "you need to slowdown" speech and sends them on their way. Sammie time. |
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Euroman
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 15, 2010 - 10:58 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Saturday, August 14th.
A feeding frenzy. Euroman started the day putting together his new jungle gym. Thank you tax payers. Quick drive to HQ to refuel the pride of the fleet. Than back up to the KT with 423. This began a feeding frenzy, it was stop after stop. Dispatch started getting overwhelmed and annoyed. Euroman must have made over 20 stops but only issued one ticket and that was to a permit violator. The rest were mostly speeding stops. Euroman had to use his official voice several times. One vehicle would not stop, Euroman was getting pissed. When it finally stops the passenger gets out, a definitely no no, Euroman yells to make him get back in the car. The driver than tries to get out, again Euroman must yell. Euroman thinks he has troublemakers on his hands. It eventually turns out to be 2 clueless hikers who apparently want to be tassed. Mid shift BC ranger 435 called in to say there was a over sized group in the subway. They would not listen to her to turn around and leave. Euroman takes a dim view of people not cooperating with rangeretts. He met the group at the exit trail. Euroman was not happy and wasn't going to listen to excuses, the leaders weren't getting the message. He wrote the ticket, wish he could have written more. Euroman felt good that he backed up 435. His next stop was interesting. He pulled over a pickup for speeding, 48 in a 35, not usually a ticketing speed. When the driver rolled down his window Euroman being a trained observer astutely noticed he was black. Memorable only because Euroman thinks this is a first in Zion. Euroman asks his usual questions. Do you know the speed limit, have you been in the park before, where are you going, where are coming from.... He gets the feeling the driver believes the only reason he was pulled over was because he was black. He is being a bit of a dick head. Euroman goes back to the pride of the fleet to call in his lic. Euroman starts thinking, if he was the standard Utah-toning he might give him a ticket because of his attitude and the fact he wasn't getting the message about speeding. But he isn't the standard Utah-toning. Euroman wonders if he doesn't write the ticket is he doing because the driver is black and If does write one will the driver think he got it just because he was black. It was very confusing. Euroman has stopped African-Americans before an not thought anything of it. He has certainly stopped many other ethic groups where it didn't seem to be a issue. Was it just this drivers attitude that set this in motion. Euroman decides not writing and will see how things go. He returns to the vehicle to give his standard speech, this is a verbal warning, slowing down, etc. The driver's attitude totally changes, he seems to understand and thanks Euroman. Euroman is glad he has another happy customer. Before shift ends Euroman is down at the subway exit point again. 2 groups of 6 are still out. Euroman finds 2 members of one group wondering lost in the woods without head lamps near the parking area. They are very grateful for being found. Euroman is told the other members are still walking out the trail. Euroman waits as they come drifting out, only one has a headlamp. Euroman lends his flashlight to one so he can go in to help lead the others out. While waiting one member asks Euroman do all rangers carry guns. Euroman says, no only LE's. He then says, so you are trained law enforcement. Grover stuck his head out the window an proudly said, yes. Euroman was amazed that when it got dark and there was only one headlamp these people decided to separate, what were they thinking. Sammie time. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land Goat and storm
Posted: Aug 20, 2010 - 10:54 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Sunday, August 15th.
Euroman prepares Fp for the arrival of the Goat clan. He also goes for early run. Euroman starts his shift on the KT with 421. No where near as busy as yesterday. They get call early on to go to the northern end of the park for a rescue. It never fails, when Euroman goes for a run there is a SAR. This seems like a simple one, a 190pd female with a ankle injury a mile in on the taylor creek trail. Euroman does not like the idea of 190 pds but will get to see 710, the padded rangerett from training days. There will be 6 on the litter team, that is not a lot, no trading off. The temp is 100. They take the wheely stretcher. Euroman is hot just bringing in a empty stretcher. The carry out is hotter. Euroman is very thirsty. Sammie time.
Monday, August, 16th.
Terrible nights sleep. On the road quickly to get a couple of jumps in before 3:00 persons is coming to pickup Eurocave and meet Goat clan. On his drive Euroman received a call saying jumping was called off, not enough jumpers. This is a bummer. Euroman picked up some supplies than headed back to FP. Not much to do execpt wait around, bored. He did get email from RAM about Haiti jump, another jump in Knoxville at a air show and update on New Orleans clinic next week. Euroman drove the Eurocave down to Virgin to meet it's new ebay owner. They were a very nice older couple who were looking for a project, euroman told them they found it. They seemed very happy with it, Euroman told them several times if it was what they expected he didn't want them to take it. They left happy. of course Euroman then received several higher offers from crags list people. But he was happy it went to a good home. Euroman was now expecting a the Goat clan to come by to give him a ride back to FP as planned. Euroman started walking the 14 miles
up hill in 100 deg temps with absolutely no shade. After 5 miles and no Goat and out of water Euroman decided a new plan was needed. A small jeep with no top pulling a flat trailer stopped. In it was, a guy with tattoos and ear rings, what appeared to be his gray haired wife and a barking hunting dog. They ask if Euroman wanted a ride. Euroman quickly accepted. Here is were it turned into a bizzaro world. Euroman figured they were locals he thought it was best he didn't say he was federally. They asked where he lived Euroman just said up "up there". They assumed he meant in the backcountry. As the ride and questions continued Euroman dug a deeper and deeper hole with a story of how he lived in a tent and traveled about. They told Euroman their encounters with rangers, apparently not good ones. Euroman is in deep with this twisted tail. In his camelback is his park radio which starts broadcasting. Euroman has to reach behind his back to casually to turn it off before they can hear. They know the FP road, they know the inholder who owns property next to FP. Euroman asks to be dropped off at a t railhead near FP where he tells them he will hike in to his camp. These were very nice people, Euroman felt very bad about making up this story. He thought maybe he should pull them over some day and example everything. Goat people arrived around 7:30 barbecue and Sammies followed.
Tuesday, August 17th.
A good day in Zion with Goat people. Excellent happy hour. Mega burrito and barbecue chicken dinner. Toast Chief and Dennis. Doesn't get much better.
Wednesday, August 18th
Goat people left in the morning and Euroman went to patrol the KT with 712. Pretty dull till the last two hours when Euroman was able to make a few stops. Back to empty FP.
Thursday, August 19th.
A horrendous night. Euroman wanted a good nights sleep or at least good by his standards for todays backcountry patrol. This did not happen. Around midnight the Humongous thunderboomers, lighting and heavy rain started an lasted till 5:00. Every few minutes a boomer would go off keeping Euroman awake. Several sounded like they landed just outside his door. This was more rain in one night than had fallen since Euroman arrival. At 6:00 Euroman lost power again, he is not happy. The upper section of the FP driveway was under 1-2 ft of water, snorkel time for pride of the fleet as they left for the main canyon. The area was on a flash flood watch more rain predicted. Euroman stopped at subway trail head. 4 brainless individual getting ready to go down. Euroman continued on. He spent the day as canyon patrol guy. He was forced into writing a speeding ticket. A car full of fat people were doing 56 in a 35 and continued speeding into the construction area. Egregious. Euroman didn't hesitate on this one. Near end of shift 436 called in to say he needed a medic at a trail head. He was finishing up a backcountry patrol when his partner BC volunteer 439 broke her ankle. 418 was sent, Euroman could not resist, the cute 439 was in trouble, he went as backup. At end of shift Euroman met a online date in town, he invited her up to FP to see the incredible sunsets. She declined. As it turned out it was even more incredible. Fire crew called to tell him the storm had set FP are a blaze. When Euroman arrived back at his home, the fire crew trucks were blocking his road and a heli was dropping water. Very impressive. By 9:00 the crew assured Euroman the fire was out and area safe. Sammie time. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land knee problem.
Posted: Aug 24, 2010 - 10:19 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Friday, August 20th
Fire and floods have receded. Euroman went for a muddy run. Began shift at 1:00 waiting for 421 to come up to the KT. Around 4:00 Euroman made a few stops. As he pulled up close to one vehicle to read the plate he hits the brakes, the peddle shudders like the ABS is kicking in only it's a dry road. It's very disconcerting. Pride of fleet is not behaving well. This continues to happen on other chases. Euroman does not want to end up in someones back seat so it's decided Pride of the fleet will go back to FP and Euroman will ride the remainder of the shift with 421. Nothing much happens which is probably a good thing. Sammie time.
Saturday, August 21st
Euroman received a late night call of possible over due party in the subway. Group of 6
with a 10 yo girl were just starting the slot portion at 6:30. What are these people thinking. Euroman arrived at left fork trail head at 8 he will be radio relay, 423 will hike in from the bottom. 11:30 423 still has not made contact with group. 12:30 contact made. They are moving to say the least, they are not in need of assistants. 423 returns, Euroman dismissed from relay duties. The group finally makes it to the trail head by 6:00 pm.
Sunday, August 22nd.
Euroman is suppose to do echo canyon with a BC volunteer 437. High flood potential, flash warning. They decide to hike a little know area to find a waterfall. They found the falls minus the water. Euroman enjoys hiking with the volunteers. He remembers his volunteer days. Late in the day he helps out at 423 house setting up new wireless amp and antenna. FP for Sammie hour.
Monday, August 23rd.
This is SAR training day in the main canyon. Euroman and 6 others setup lower systems with a guide line. A very cool system, everyone seems to know exactly what to do or at least who to ask. After lunch euroman goes for a short run, way to hot. Euroman needs to drop the pride of the fleet off at maintenance to have the brakes check again. He will get a ride back to FP with 423. Euroman must first remove his rifles from the POF to store them in munitions locker. As he takes one in each hand to walk towards the building he trips on a stump. He falls forward both guns hit the ground a long with Euroman's knee which finds gravel and rock. Euroman is in pain, somewhat glad neither rifle fired. He gets up but right knee is badly bruised. He could not walk up the stairs. This is not good for a superhero. He hobbles the rest of the day. At the FP he uses ice and bag of drugs. Hoping for quick recovery. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land In New Orleans
Posted: Aug 28, 2010 - 05:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Tuesday, August 24th.
Drugs are working, Euroman is able to bend his knee. He does cancel on backcountry patrol to op for frontcountry. 423 came by FP gave euroman drive to HQ. Now Euroman needed a patrol vehicle. He thought he would ride double with 418 until 411 said 422 called in sick his vehicle would be available. 411 drove Euroman over to 422 house to pickup the keys for the car. 422 is permanent with the very cute wife. Euroman tried ring the door bell twice, than knocked on the door. After what seemed like a very long time Ms 422 came out. Euroman must say that she looked even better in nightwear.
It was 10:30 am, Euroman knows why 422 called in sick. A short time later Euroman learned he needed to take POF to the Ford dealer in St. George for repairs. This meant returning 422's vehicle. Euroman decided it was best just to leave the keys in the car and disturb the sick 422. 423 accompanied Euroman to the dealer to give him a ride back.
Nothing much was accomplished today until the evening. 423 once again picked Euroman up at FP to go to the range. He needed to qualify with his new backup weapon.
Instructor 413 shows up to doing the testing. Dispatch calls 413 , their is a incident in the park he is needed. Euroman steps up and says he will take the call so 423 can qualify.
As Euroman arrives at the south entrance, the fee rangers have a problem with tourist's who want to drive through the closed construction zone. It felt good to be useful once again. Euroman eventually made it back to FP by 11:00pm. Euroman just find out he is scheduled to do a overnight in the narrows. Originally it was supposed to be with 422 which would have been fun. Doing it alone is not fun. Euroman spends enough time along at FP. He will get this changed. Sammie time.
Wednesday, August 25th
Short night, the Superheroes have a early start to go on their next adventure. They will be traveling to New Orleans for 3-day RAM clinic. They left FP drove to LV for afternoon flight. It will be good to see RAM friends. Why does it take so long for people to load and unload a plane? AB meet Euroman at the N.O. airport drove to downtown N.O. where they met a member of the RAM golf team they worked with in L.A.. Excellent Sammie hour at local brewery. Euroman spent the night at AB's house that looks like a jungle habitat complete with a very mean parrot.
Thursday, August 26th.
AB made Euroman a green smoothie for breakfast, Euroman thought smoothies were suppose to be red. Not something he will have on a regular bases. They left there to meet with much of the RAM team at N.O. clinic. After helping out with some setup they traveled a hour south to the clinic they would be working at. They ended up making several trips to delivery equipment. Late in evening they met a friend of Euroman's from AMR days who came to help. Back to brew pub for Sammie hour. Back to jungle habitat for short sleep.
Friday, August 27th.
The threesome were up at 1:30 am to drive in noisy jeep back south to clinic. At 3:00 am Euroman and AB were ready to work security and give out tickets. Crowds were exceptionally light. By 6:00 they had only given out a handful of tickets. This turned into a very long day. 147 patients were seen, not the expected 400. Sammie hour till 10:00. Slept on clinic floor. |
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Euroman
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Post subject: Euroman's Journey to Mormon Land Clinic days
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 04:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 22, 2008
Posts: 348
Status: Offline
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Saturday, August 28th
Superheroes were up by 2:30. Gave out first ticket by 3:30. Doors opened at 6:00.
Bigger crowd today. People drift in all day under massive rain storm, flood warning. Looks like a mini Katrina. Euroman and Grover put together a evacuation plan should the levees fail again. The superheroes have taken notice of one female volunteer, putting her age somewhere between 16 and 40, word came down that she was from L.A.. A new group of volunteers arrived today from college in Tenn, they missed the memo about appropriate and no short shorts. The superheroes do not always agree with RAM protical. Another 333 patient seen. AB drove out to pick up needed supplies for dinner - Pizza and Sammies.
Sunday, August 29th.
Another short night. Up by 2:30, Euroman did not feel well. First patient arrived at 3:30. AB did not jion Euroman till 4:30 claiming he was late because he was making Euroman tea. 200 given out by 8:30. Euroman was fading something was wrong. He did summon enough strength to make contact with LA and was making sufficant progress until Euroman cell rang. As he quickly pulled out phone to turn it off, LA says Oh go ahead take it. Euroman looks at phone to see AB's name who was sitting across the room laughing. He must make note to shut off phone before starting such a operation. LA was gone. By 2:00 the clinic was being packed up around the last few patients who were still getting dental work completed. This is where Euroman began to really fail. On the drive back to AB's jungle habitat Euroman tried to sleep twisted up in the back of the jeep. At the jungle habitat he was cold, feverish, sorethroat, exhausted. Euroman laid on floor for hours as AB's dog barked and scratced at door, parrot screemed and cats ran all over place till the next morning. |
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