"Photographer" on Squaw Peak summit trail after sunset...

[jimmy_p]

This past Sunday (09/30/2007) I was making my way down the summit trail. Every time I hike this trail I stay to enjoy the sunset. This means that by the time I am making my way down brightness progressively dissipates. I simply let my natural night vision take over. If it's uncomfortably dark I break out my mini LED flashlight. I had just turned the corner and passed the second bench (the one after the 0.25 mile marker. I saw a flash and I thought it was the group I just passed taking pictures of each other. Then I saw another flash, but for sure it was coming in front of me. Just prior to reaching the next turn in the trail my eyes picked up a crouched photographer with his camera trained on my descending body.

I tend to make my way down this trail quickly. Whether I go faster than others or if I go slowly the trail can be dangerous with all the rocky points jutting out of the trail. One moment where I take my eye off of the trail can mean the difference of my foot landing dead on that point or getting just part of the point and spraining my ankle.

I noticed the red LED turn on in his camera signifying the flash was ready. I figured out what he was doing and told him not to think of letting his flash go off on me again. I could care less if a photographer wants to photograph me. However, the fact that his flash is ruining my night vision when it was getting rather dark out really upset me. I asked this guy where his trail etiquette was. I also asked him what he would be willing to do should I twist my ankle due to his negligence.

Sorry for the rant. Carry on with your regularly scheduled hike

Jimmy

[joebartels]

Hey Jimmy,

I asked this guy where his trail etiquette was.

yet you're moving faster than what's good for your own safety not to mention others
On the other hand, you seem beyond nice compared to how I would have reacted with that guy

The real issue at hand is you just told the whole friggen world one of the best places to catch a sunset!
It's gonna be packed now

good luck out there,
I'll keep an eye on Squaw Weekly to see if you make the front cover!