Field reports: Three Canadian residents punished for U.S. park violations
Three Canadians will be banned from federal lands for five years after pleading guilty to walking on a sensitive hot spring in Yellowstone National Park and other crimes at parks across the Western U.S.
Charles Gamble, Alexey Lyakh and Justis Price Brown pleaded guilty on Thursday during a court hearing at the Yellowstone Justice Center.
The men were from the group High on Life SundayFundayz. An investigation last spring into the group’s travels revealed violations of park rules at Yellowstone, Zion, Death Valley and Mesa Verde national parks.
The defendants also used drones in closed areas, rode bikes in a wilderness area and took commercial photographs without a permit.
Gamble and Lyakh also were sentenced to a week in jail. Fines for the men ranged from $2,000 to more than $3,500.
Two other men, Hamish Cross and Parker Heuser, pleaded guilty in November.
The defendants posted video and selfies of their travels on social media. Several are from Vancouver, British Columbia, and have a clothing line that they promote.
Attorney Alex Rate said the men had been threatened and shamed on social media for what amounted to making bad decisions on a road trip.
Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said the penalties “send a strong and poignant message about thermal feature protection and safety.”
An Oregon man died in June when he left a boardwalk and fell into a scalding hot spring at Yellowstone.
Gathering celebrates
hitting the trail
HIKING – An “All Out Trail Celebration” involving more than 30 outdoor community organizations is will be held at the Kendall Yards Welcome Center on Saturday, organized by REI.
Clubs, event organizers, land managers, conservation and stewardship groups will be represented, said Carol Christensen, REI spokeswoman.
“Our goal is to connect outdoors-minded people with the organizations and events that can help them live their best outdoor life in the Inland Northwest,” she said.
Visitors can join groups or register for events such as trail runs, bike rides and trail projects.
The event is free, but register at rei.com/spokane.
Fence reinstalled to protect elk near Vantage
WILDLIFE – Flagged electric fencing was reinstalled last weekend along 6 miles of Interstate 90 near Vantage to deter elk from getting into traffic. Mule Deer Foundation volunteers and staff from the state Fish and Wildlife and Transportation departments did the work. Roughly 80 wintering elk died last year after being struck by vehicles and at least six have been struck by cars this year.
Skijoring clinic scheduled at Mount Spokane
WINTERSPORTS – A clinic on skijoring – Nordic skiing behind a dog – is scheduled for 1-3:30 p.m. next Sunday at Mount Spokane State Park by Spokane Nordic. Participants bring ski gear and dog. Skijor gear (dog harness, tug line and human belt) is included in the clinic fee. Cost: $25. Sno-Park vehicle permit also required.
Register at spokanenordic.org.