Coronavirus and hiking

[DixieFlyer]

Now that we are living in the era of "social distancing", it shouldn't be too surprising to see some hiking venues closed.

Here are a couple of examples:
* The Navajo Nation has closed all of their tribal parks: https://navajonationparks.org/public-notice/
* The road up to Kitt Peak is closed to the public...here is a pic that a friend took when he attempted to ride his bicycle up to the top: [ broken link removed ]

It would seem like hiking, especially in remote areas, would be one of the safer things that you can do...but with the frenzy that is going on, I imagine that there will be more closures in the coming days

[LosDosSloFolks]

Hiker treks the length of New Zealand...

Positives that may come from COVID-19
She spent five months alone, walking the length of New Zealand. The lessons she learned about isolation, nature and living a simpler life are worth sharing … now more than ever.

Read in Escape: https://apple.news/AdrcghOkiT3q7mZYLHBGMtQ

[sidhayes]

It is not up to the gov to keep me "safe".

[SAMBA]

@sidhayes
He ain't worried about you, he's worried about US!!!!!!

[Tough_Boots]

If people want to make poor choices and endanger themselves, that's 100% fine. When they want to make poor choices that endanger everyone else-- well, the idea that it should remain that person's choice alone is feeble minded and it becomes self-defense for everyone else to prevent that person from making those poor choices.

[sidhayes]

@Tough_Boots
Take note of HAZ Forum guidelines # 2. Insults like feeble minded and others.

[Tough_Boots]

@sidhayes
I said an idea was feeble minded-- not a person.

[chumley]

It is not up to the gov to keep me "safe".

Did you just post this, and then complain about what somebody else posted in an internet forum? You seem like the kind of guy who doesn't need rules to protect you from a different opinion. Just sayin.

[nonot]

It is not up to the gov to keep me "safe".

Actually, it is, to an extent, as this is the general basis upon which most laws and rules are founded. Pouring toxic substances into rivers is unsafe for nearby citizens. Polluting chemicals are unsafe for nearby citizens. Driving 150 miles per hour is unsafe to other citizens on the road. Driving on sidewalks is unsafe to pedestrians. All of those things can cause injury and death to others. This virus is no different in this regard.

Some might consider purposefully engaging in activities that increase your risk of getting coronavirus and spreading it to them (coworkers, family, etc) unsafe. Please consider the consequences your choices have on others.

[nonot]

@Tough_Boots
Take note of HAZ Forum guidelines # 2. Insults like feeble minded and others.

"Rules don't apply to me".

"Other people have to obey rules."

Ah, an internet troll is born. Sorry I wasted time to reply with something thought out and reasonable.

[xthine]

“Sedona Mayor advocates to close most popular trails and trailheads”

https://www.sedonaaz.gov/Home/Component ... s/5087/473

That will certainly prevent tourists from continuing to pour into town. I must admit I will be very unhappy if locals cannot use the trails, most of us can walk to a trailhead and are out early to avoid crowds.

[Jim]

In the old days we used to have discussion, or my now dated memories tell me we did. Fairly civil, and whatnot. Rather than complain, what would people who object to the current situation prefer? Larry's comment about wanting people to starve to death was deleted for obvious reasons. I'm not entirely sure why someone would espouse a preference for allowing people to do so. Maybe he just didn't realize what he was actually saying?

So, @sidhayes if you object, what is your preference? I assume you, like me, don't want trails or trailheads closed. I don't. There are alternatives if they are, however. I've read about surfers being arrested, and this seems pointless and counter productive. It's a solitary activity, but I guess in areas under strict lock downs, the state is exercising authority to make an example.

[Alston_Neal]

I think for most every human on the planet this is the ultimate example of fear of the unknown and out of our control, for an unknown duration. So we all seem to be reacting in different ways as our various fears take hold. For most it's the change, others financial ruin and then the very possible loss of life, including oneself or loved ones. So the bottom line is, it really blows and how we relate to others is our most important job right now. Peace

[gummo]

@sidhayes
To an extent, I agree, but since our current administration was careless, inefficient, and downplayed the problem, now they are ordering us to our part and feel the need to turn into a nanny state. In S. Korea and Singapore, they had adequate testing and were able to control the spread without shutting down the businesses. I'm social isolating to keep others from contracting the virus. My life hasn't changed much, since herping is a solo activity for the most part. My travel plans this year, however, suffered.

[SAMBA]

I'm not sure what trails are shut down but I'll bet if you pick a trail other than in the Phoenix or Sedona areas there will be a high likelihood you'll find a lot of trails sans other hikers:

https://hikearizona.com/traildex.php

[Jim]

I bought a National Park Pass in September, used just that time at GCNP. I'm doubting my ability to use it this year, basically anywhere else, before it expires. Guess I should have bought it when I was in Death Valley in June, but what can you do.

Still, my feeling is that if we were not doing many of the things which are having disastrous effects to our economy and to our lives at this time, it would happen anyway and be far worse. It's definitely weird driving around the city during normally peak rush hour and having no traffic at all like it's a Sunday at 3 p.m. Being in the grocery store 2 days ago it was completely dead during an hour when it's usually packed and there's no parking. Everybody's wearing gloves, and some had masks on. Efficacy debate on the type I am seeing, continues. We still don't seem to have any toilet paper, canned goods, or dried storable foods. I'm just glad I can buy meat again. The relatively short-lived and somewhat mild panic was bizarre, but so far it's not yet turned into a month-long supply chain collapse. I definitely miss the before times

[wildwesthikes]

@Jim_H
Trying to make the best of it - been taking lessons learned from backpacking and trying to apply it to general daily living.
Like how much (how little) TP is the minimum I can use.
And making healthy, nutritionally complete and most importantly tasty meals out of entirely shelf stable foods, which I already stocked up on anyway.
Because even though stores have plenty of fresh food - I want to limit time spent in those virus breeding grounds, for my health and the health of others.
I've been using my food dehydrator a lot lately - trying to make every last bit of food count and turning food that normally would spoil in a week or two into something that will last months or years.
Store is out of eggs? OK, I'll eat something else I guess...
And doing a lot of research on getting into some seriously remote areas I never thought I'd ever end up hiking.
Finally thinking about starting that victory garden like mom used to have when I was a kid... difficult on an apartment patio but whatever, seems like a nice challenge.

[hikerdw]

@wildwesthikes In east Mesa, in the couple stores I've visited, no shortage of eggs, milk, or most other things with the exception of paper products, flour, rice, and cleaning supplies.

[rcorfman]

Trying to make the best of it - been taking lessons learned from backpacking and trying to apply it to general daily living.

Such as only washing hands when getting to town for resupply. Bathing and laundry maybe every 2nd or 3rd resupply. Pouring water down your crack and rubbing when things get really bad. Thank goodness for hand sanitizer...

I suppose only doing fist bumps instead of handshaking was good but now we shouldn't even do that.

[DixieFlyer]

Thank goodness for hand sanitizer

true...but where can you get hand sanitizer at these days?

[xthine]

It will be interesting to see what the trails here will look like this weekend with the closure of popular trail heads and one trail. FS and Law enforcement will be patrolling those areas supposedly and will issue citations.

I’ve thought about the closures a bit more and I hope they shutdown the rest of the trailheads. I predict they will eventually. We’ll see.