Here's one example of how these unconstitutional federal cuts and freezes are already having an impact. As a high point hiker, I'm trying to make it to the peak of as many state high points as possible. - ThreadSky

jskrenes.bsky.social • 3 days ago

Here's one example of how these unconstitutional federal cuts and freezes are already having an impact.
As a high point hiker, I'm trying to make it to the peak of as many state high points as possible.

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jskrenes.bsky.social•3 days ago

I'm at 31 so far, and the remaining high points are either in southern states like Louisiana or Florida where the minimal elevation gain makes them practically wheelchair accessible, or in western, remote mountain regions with significant elevation gain and even technical challenges.

jskrenes.bsky.social•3 days ago

For all of these, I will need to fly to a city near the trailhead or drive for at least two days to get there. With the restructuring of the FAA under the guy whose space rockets frequently undergo rapid, unscheduled disassembly, I have serious concerns about whether to even get in an airplane.

jskrenes.bsky.social•3 days ago

Which means that instead of attempting 2-4 hikes per year, I may only have vacation time to try 1-2. That's also less money spent on tourism.

For the latter of these kinds of hikes, the trailheads and peaks are mostly on land that is part of the federal park system.

jskrenes.bsky.social•3 days ago

They are also quite remote. Sometimes the trailhead itself takes a few hours to reach by car from the nearest town, and then it's five to ten miles from there to the parts of the hike or climb where the risk of injury is the highest.

So the question becomes, with these hiring freezes and firings,

jskrenes.bsky.social•3 days ago

will park rangers even be able to monitor trails and keep them relatively safe and well-maintained? I have a Garmin device to use in case of an emergency in remote areas, but who is going to even be able to come and help?

jskrenes.bsky.social•3 days ago

If I book a trip, will the park even be open to hikers by the time I go? Will it even still be federal land or will it have been sold for forestry or mining purposes?
These are small, personal concerns when pitted against the existential and constitutional crises America now faces.

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