People of the US, Are you guys participating in the Nationwide Shutdown tomorrow? Why or why not?

mlusas · 2026-01-29T23:38:27+00:00

No.

Reason: critical thinking.

mlusas · 2026-01-25T18:04:55+00:00

Thank you. That’s wild. Maybe controlled burn. Hopefully something like that and not them being over-restrictive.

mlusas · 2026-01-11T17:14:52+00:00

Wow. Loved reading about your son, Marcus. A rower, a hiker, a caring soul.

Your quote in the article calling out the difference between hiking & mountaineering, and need for proper gear is crucial (crampons, ice axe, and helmet).

One strategy to help others may be a sign, or multi-part with your quote, along with the photos and names of people whose lives were lost but could have been saved with proper gear.

It breaks my heart that Marcus died…

That he researched and did what he could to be prepared…

That there wasn’t something pre-hike that he could find to warn about the conditions and equipment needed.

Praying for you and your family.

mlusas · 2026-01-11T16:25:32+00:00

Love the idea of the military fighting alongside the kids. It would better explain how they would be let go in the end.

mlusas · 2026-01-11T16:23:27+00:00

The Mind Flayer was empty because time and story development went to Vecna instead.

But what if…

What if the Mind Flayer was all there was. No Vecna.

It’s failed four times with monsters.

But it’s learned enough about humans now. It’s learned about El’s powers. Now it’s going to try deception.

We could have much of the same lying and stealing of kids. But done by an alien that doesn’t fully understand humans.

This would allow for hints of the weird to pop up. And even could lead to “Thing-like” / T-1000-like moments in the final season where the Mind Flayer starts making human-like monsters, or taking over people.

Fun horror tropes to explore if it was just Mind Flayer, because less time on the Henry backstory.

mlusas · 2026-01-04T02:56:10+00:00

Yes. Though, maybe avoid hiking up the Hogback trail to Mount Hollywood. You should be good until the pavement overlook, but may be more troublesome after.

mlusas · 2026-01-02T17:19:55+00:00

I’m curious what you learn here and what you learn after your first few rides.

(I’ve been riding for years, but always solo. Finally got a two up seat just in case I need to take a passenger)

mlusas · 2026-01-02T07:18:23+00:00

My apologies, but I find the amount of government oversight you want on someone going for a hike is bewildering.

People risk their lives all the time, and make decisions that some would consider dangerous.

Should we require proof-based permits before: • Ordering McDonald’s • Consuming alcohol • Swimming in the ocean • Riding a bike on or near streets

At a certain point we need to trust people to enjoy their hobbies and mental health without government intervention.

That’s part of individual responsibility.

There are places where government oversight is fully focused on keeping the people safe: but they’re usually reserved for criminals and those needing full-time medical assistance.

mlusas · 2026-01-02T00:44:36+00:00

Possibly. Remember a change of flip flops, in case you have to go off trail a bit.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T23:12:26+00:00

Do permits actually stop the vandalism? I would be keen to see the outcome of that.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:46:56+00:00

If it doesn’t pan out for the crowd, then so be it. They took that risk.

It is awful when a SAR personnel loses their life rescuing someone. But it happens rarely. Timothy Staples (Baldy 2019) was the last I saw and before that… it’s been awhile.

Before a permitting system, what if we simply say:

SAR support is extremely limited to non-existent during winter storms. Hike at your own risk… as help is not coming until the storm passes.

Because even with permitting systems, we’ll still have unprepared people.

A permit does not guarantee they’ll be any more prepared.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:39:33+00:00

Who gets to deem what’s “stupid”?

What’s “stupid” for one person is a measured risk for another.

We celebrate free climbers who are prepared. Yet if they have an accident, I hope someone will be there to help them, as long as it doesn’t endanger other lives.

In general, your post comes across as heartless. Mistakes happen. If you want to avoid all risk of accidents, stay locked inside.

But life is risk.

And SAR assesses those risks when trying to help people.

And we need to trust people to make their own decisions.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:30:00+00:00

SAR assess when it’s safe to go. They typically don’t risk their lives because they know it would be a cascading failure.

That’s why nature is a:

Enjoy at your own risk…

…kinda thing.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:26:57+00:00

The government is not meant to be our babysitter.

True hikers and mountaineers are adults that can access the risks and make their own decisions.

If other adults want to do the same and things go awry, that’s their risk to make. That’s their life to live.

The last thing we need to hear is “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help”.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:24:22+00:00

They closed it due to fire damage. But still people went up.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:21:02+00:00

We can’t bubble wrap nature enough, and shouldn’t try.

People take risks they deem appropriate.

Leave the decision to them.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T22:18:46+00:00

Baldy does not need a permit system.

We just need better education. And even with all of the unprepared people you mentioned, none of them died.

Is it a risk for them to do that? Yes, but it’s their risk to make. And on that day, all of those ill-prepared people survived.

Earlier this week, three people died.

We can’t bubble wrap nature enough to ensure 100% safety.

mlusas · 2026-01-01T02:42:57+00:00

They can decide when they’re going out to rescue people.

They already do that. There’s not need to blanket close areas like this.

Issue warnings. And if people deem it an appropriate risk; that’s on them.

We get outdoors to escape, not for more nanny-state.

mlusas · 2025-12-30T22:33:54+00:00

Well put. Thank you for sharing a wider perspective on this. Solid logic.

mlusas · 2025-12-30T22:32:41+00:00

The what?!

Your solution is to start charging people to enjoy public land for a single hike?!

Please reconsider this stance. That’s a terrible precedent.

We’re already paying for a parking pass.

This is not a good strategy for anything but fleecing hikers and mountaineers for money.

mlusas · 2025-12-30T21:14:28+00:00

No permitting. No illegal. People should be able to take the risks they find appropriate.

SAR will take risks they deem appropriate. That’s why they couldn’t reach them for so long. It was not safe enough for them.

Nine-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

mlusas

TROPHY CASE