Original Post
Department of Interior Cite Increase in Users as Reason for Fee Increase:
The cost of climbing the "Tallest Mountain in the Lower 48 States" is going up.
By: Homer Flatbush
The Department of Interior (DOI) has just released a statement announcing a 300% fee increase for the use of Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in California. The DOI names the "dramatic increase in the numbers of users in the park" as the reason for the fee increase.
"There are a significant number of people coming to the mountain who do not know how to climb. They show up with no equipment. They don't bring food or water. They are very unprepared for the mountain. We feel there is a strong need for new facilities at the park." One DOI spokesman said.
"These new users have no idea how to climb the mountain so we are going to build a staircase that starts at the bottom and goes all the way to the top. That way, everyone will be able to enjoy Mt. Whitney. We also plan on building a state-of-the-art tourist information facility and a brand new EMS station with it's own heli-pad. All of these very important improvements will cost allot of money so we will be charging all mountain climbers 300% more this season."
When I spoke to some of the climbers I heard mixed comments. One climber, who says he's been coming to Mt. Whitney for the last 3 years said, "I'm glad they are going to charge more and build the staircase. I've never been able to make it to the top. The staircase will help me considerably. I am also very pleased that they will be building the tourist center. That way I won't have to bring my own food!"
Another climber who has climbed Mt. Whitney thirty times in the past 20 years was almost in tears. "What in the world do we need a staircase for? This is supposed to be about challenging nature. That staircase will cut across my assent 3 different times on the way to the peak. Now, climbing this mountain will mean nothing."
When I asked an Emergancy Medical Technition what he thought about the fee increase he told me that it will be nice to be able to have a nice place to hang out while waiting around for people to fall off the mountain.
The new fees will take effect at the beginning of this years climbing season.
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