PRISON for camping out of bounds *not clickbait*

I live next to Olympic National Park. When a hiker goes missing, it is the parks policy to deny professional search and rescue teams with their dogs to search for the missing hiker. Drones are not permitted to search for the hiker. Washed out roads are never repaired, just closed for decades. Washed out campgrounds are never repaired, just closed. Everything in the park requires reservations and Aramark charges 15 per cent of the gross to the person making the reservations. Aramark owns all the concessions in most of our National Parks. We need to take back our National Parks.

No one seems to be pointing out the fact that the Rangers made them move 1hr before dark in several feet of snow right after an incredibly draining and taxing event. The rangers literally put the lives of three additional hikers at great risk, and then ticketed them for trying to comply. Seems pretty par for the course for law enforcement these days.

I was just there two weeks ago. We also had an encounter with a Ranger. No snow, so we could see the trail, however there were only two signs. One sign at the trailhead showed a map and stated to camp behind the general store near the pit toilets. Another sign at the Backcountry Office said the same. We moved (in the dark at 10:00pm after hiking 16.5 hours) to camp at the first spot behind the pit toilet. Ranger came the next day and gave us a warning for not being in the correct spot. I asked him if they could put up anymore signs. There were none beyond the trailhead or backcountry office. I can’t imagine being there in snow. I should also mention, we decided to have a fire. A week before we left, I went to the South Rim Backcountry Office to ask a Ranger a few questions. They said we could have a fire in the designated fire rings. So we did. Again, the Ranger let us off with a warning, but the confusion is ridiculous and unnecessary. I questioned him about the previous response and he said they had no idea what they were talking about. Great! How do I figure out what’s allowed and what’s not if the rangers aren’t reliable?!?

It’s really sad that nobody, throughout the process, considered the whole situation and stepped up and threw the case out.

I'm sorry this happened to you Eric. I am a retired law enforcement officer and in nearly all things, you have officer discretion. Unfortunately, many new or younger law enforcement officers don't understand that concept and treat everyone regardless of the incident as if they were a mass murderer. They don't comprehend the impact their actions have and understand basic humanity and compassion. The National Parks Service and the Rangers are why I avoid National Parks with a vengeance. I had a similar run-in in a National Park where I was the subject of a traffic stop for 18mph in a 15mph speed zone. Family and friends in the vehicle (while still an active law enforcement officer), young guy who starts yelling at me for going by him 3mph over the speed limit. Asks if there are any weapons in the vehicle and then draws his firearm when I say yes. I remained calm and explained my status and showed him my credentials. Then demanded to speak with their supervisor for the behavior and pointing a firearm at someone without justification. Supervisor basically blew it off and said, "If you don't like it, don't visit a National Park." Public lands that are definitively not "for the people" and absolutely out of control behavior of those expected to set the example and uphold the law. The National Parks service, Rangers and Law Enforcement have a difficult job, but their behavior is making it far worse and turning them into an enemy of the people. Almost as if they are forcing people with their rules, permits, timed entry and such to stay out of the National Parks. You derive your authority from the consent of the governed. Many have lost sight of that fact.

It is ridiculous that Eric can go to jail for a simple camping mistake. Yet there are evil people, murderers that get aways with their crimes. Unbelievable!

I ran into a similar situation in a state forest in New York several years ago. Short story is that I got a ticket for camping too close to a trail - though I had a GPS and it showed that I was far enough away. The Ranger I dealt with told me GPS were inaccurate and then asked me if I had a tape measure. Once I said no, she handed me a ticket. Thankfully, the judge threw it out - I got lucky… So sorry you guys went through all of this…

Eric should immediately begin the process for expungement. Then you won’t have a criminal record. It’s insane that you had to go through this process for camping. It should only ever be a fine and never come to a misdemeanor charge. Nonsense.

It's total BS. That ranger obviously has a power trip.

insane story. Insane laws. We have a law in Norway. We call it the All Mans Right, or Freedom to Roam. We can hike and camp where ever we want. Doesn't matter if the land/forest/mountain is public or privately owned. It is a right. There are limitations, you must move on after 2-3 nights. You must leave the nature as you found it. In National Parks you can't fly a drone. Many european countries have the same kind of laws.

Dan, make a petition to appeal! We will support Eric.

Eric should get Devon from Legal Eagle to review the legal aspects of this whole ordeal. It would be nice to have a lawyer's perspective on this.

I had a similar incident happen to me, I always tried to be a good steward to the environment and national parks, including leave no trace, but my interaction with park rangers has ruined camping for me for the last few years and honestly changed my outlook on law enforcement and the courts in general.

The thing that really gets me is how on top of everything else, how unreasonable and blatantly malicious their offer was for the plea agreement. No publication of material would be a hit for so many people - loss of a 100k project and all the residual income from the videos of the whole team, also makes it near impossible to self advocate. And then all the suggested bans from all the parks and for so long? They were really going after his whole career. And admitting that they wanted to make an example out of Eric is disgusting. Right after his friend almost died. This is so messed up. I really hope Karma is a thing.

Last weekend we got lost on top of a mountain, drove around for a few hours trying to figure out what to do, took a road that looked like it would get us back to the highway. Ended up behind a locked gate, at the bottom of a big hill, in the pitch dark, in the pouring rain. Had to call the Sherriff. They ticketed us for $1000 for trespassing on private property, despite there being no signs. I feel your pain to some degree, you are dealing with so much more! :(

My dad got charged with operating a commercial river trip on a private permit. He ended up with about $100-$200 left over after it was all done. When the case got to the judge he said to the prosecutor, “You brought him here for $100? Don’t do this again.” His fine was reduced to $100. Judge should have thrown this out.

This makes me feel like we should all go out and film in a National Park and post it. I mean, we, the people, own these parks. We, as individuals, shouldn't need a permit to film in a park. It's absolutely ridiculous. So glad you both have survived this ordeal. You followed the rules and instructions in a very stressful situation.

I was group leader on a 3 day trip. We started late! We had my friends father of about 70 years. He had a rock fall on his ankle just as we reached the Tonto Trail East, having gone down Hermits trail. He was having trouble walking. We still had miles to get to our camp when the light ran out! We decided to camp on the trail. The next morning after getting water at Salt Springs, we hiked to Indian Gardens. Myself and another went ahead a few turns of the other four to set up 2nd camp. The ranger contacted us and was furious that we separated from the group until we pointed out that they were just 2 turns away. Then I mentioned that it was because we had an injury in our party and wanted to set up camp for him. I also said that we didn't make it to camp due to the injury and camped on the trail. He said "I bet I can find where you deficated!" He then saw the age of our friends father and stormed away! I want to add. Bring Ibuprofen! That was used to reduce swelling and allowed him to finish. Luckily what happened to you, didn't happen to us! I shared this with 2 friends involved. Omg! Sorry for your experience!

I watched Eric’s video on this and was stunned. I’m glad you, Dan, are also giving this air time. It truly bothers me that Eric now has a criminal record and this could seriously impact his ability to visit other countries and create content on international travel😊

Well Dan, you can still contribute to Eric's fine❤