Greetings fellow climbers and hikers.
I'm posting this notice for those interested and concerned about the ongoing fee debacle quietly infesting all of America. They've made sure this process is done at a time when it escapes YOUR attention. Thankfully, the WSNF is on the case and appeared in Washington D.C. before Congress on YOUR behalf. Due to processes and other more important matters, the fee conspiracy will likely be detained another year, but believe me, I've been around long enough to know that year will race by and next thing you know, YOU will be paying fees everywhere you go.
I took up the battle and fought the good fight for 8 years here in Colorado over the Mount Evans Fee scam, which was viewed by many as precedent-setting. Coupled with the Mount Lemon case in Arizona, we were victorious and it seemed the tide had been turned. As if in ravenous revenge, the applicable parties returned fire with a ruling from a judge clearly in kahoots with them. He passed a ruling allowing said parties to charge fees anywhere and anyway they choose.
Kitty Benzar, president of the WSNF has posted a report concerning this matter and her testimony at D.C. and you can check it out here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=b6e588db-6080-4627-bf69-3f68c6a7ac1d&c=0f343130-202e-11e3-a7ed-d4ae5292c426&ch=0f90d020-202e-11e3-a7ef-d4ae5292c426
I spent the bulk of my life exploring this fabulous country's wilderness for free, so I understand the value of that privilege, and endeavored to resist those that would remove it when they reared their heads nearly twenty years ago. The resulting showdown at Mount Evans proved that you can take a stand in America and you can make a difference. During the Roman occupation of Israel, Rome declared a tax and simply made what little money the residents had theirs. History repeats itself without fail. The same is happening right now. They get away with this and they will take everything you have. Freedom isn't free. It must constantly be fought for. I was fortunate enough to enjoy that freedom and fight for it as well. But now I am retiring at the end of May. My scope of activities and causes is being refocused and scaled down. A number of young rebels that believe in and love this country and its values, and are willing to take a stand, will need to take up the torch and carry on the cause. I wish you all well and continued success! God bless.
AJ