This is a place where I intend to post dispatches from our attempt on Cho Oyu April 18-May 31.   Our three team members are Frederick Johansson, Andrea Rigotti and yours truly.  Dispatches may also be found at our group website here.  www.chooyunews.com   and …

Mr. Robertson

Thanks for your response, however I find it difficult to agree with your assertion that taxpaying citizens are "appreciative" of the opportunity to pay to use public lands wherein no amenities other than a cumbersome reservation system are provided.  I also find it highly specious that, as public lands czar for our great state, you were unaware of the Smokies fee scandal since you seem to have followed their…

Case Number 15-5413

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

___________________________________________

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC. et al.,

Plaintiffs-Appellants,

vs.

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

SALLY JEWELL, et al.,…

I live in Franklin TN and recently discovered the 15th annual conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails was being held in Franklin at the Embassy Suites and Director Jarvis would speak Sunday morning. His presentation was very enlightening about the various roles and missions of the NPS along with some of there more pressing concerns and issues facing the NPS. Director Jarvis is a very good speaker and I actually learned quite a lot about…

Case Number 15-5413

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

___________________________________________

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC. et al.,

Plaintiffs-Appellants,

vs.

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

SALLY JEWELL, et al.,

Defendants-Appellees.

____________________________________

Appeal From the United States District Court

For The Eastern District of Tennessee

Docket Number 3:13-cv-00116-TWP-HBG…

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT  EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE  AT KNOXVILLE    SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC., )  et al., )  Plaintiffs, )  )  v. ) CIV. NO. 3:13-CV-116  ) (PHILLIPS/GUYTON)  )  SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, )  SALLY JEWELL, et al., )  )  Defendants. )   DEFENDANTS’ REPLY TO  PLAINTIFFS’ RESPONSE TO DEFENDANTS’ BRIEF   Federal Defendants (Defendants), by and through William C. Killian, United States  Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, hereby…

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC., )

et al., )

Plaintiffs, )

)

v. ) CIV NO. 3:13-cv-116…

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC., )

et al., )

)

Plaintiffs, )

)

v. ) CIV NO. 3:13-cv-116

) (HOOD/GUYTON)

SECRETARY OF THE…

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC.,      )

et al.,                           )

                                  )

Plaintiffs,                  )    Civil Action No.

                             )    3:13-cv-116-JMH-HBG

v.                               …

I have been researching the privatization of public parks which was spurred by a recent discussion on the Go Smokies site. I do not support concessionaire services in anyway, and even more so after John posted the 2011 gross earnings of Mt. Leconte Lodge. Over a million dollars on Federal land folks, and that is only during 8 months of operation. I truly believe we are headed towards privatization of public parks and recreation areas. 

During my research I came across a website that…

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC.,                   )

et…

I have to share an experience Rob, Mike and I had this past weekend.

Imagine possibly 2 of your worst nightmare type hikes...and both the same weekend.

On day 1, you commit to a trail (Caldwell Fork Trail), by wading a wide, swift and thigh deep creek with full packs in tennis shoes and short pants.  You cross the creek and stash your tennis shoes for use when you return in 2 days.  The air temperature is in the mid to upper 30's, and you can see your breath.  The water…

http://www.southernhighlanders.com/amended%20complaint%20SFW.html

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

SOUTHERN FOREST WATCH, INC., )

et al., )

)

Plaintiffs, )

)

v. ) CIV NO. 3:13-cv-116

) (HOOD/GUYTON)

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR )

SALLY JEWELL, et al., )

)

Defendants. )

PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSIVE BRIEF IN

OPPOSITION OF DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS

Come plaintiffs, through counsel, and respond to the defendants’ motion to dismiss as…

If any of you have Facebook accounts, would you please go to https://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/.

If you haven’t done so, please vote for Appalachian Bear Rescue in Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program. Voting closes at 11:59:59 pm ET [7:00 am PT – 8:59:59 pm…

Looking for comments on the present condition of Breakneck Ridge.

I hiked from Cosby to Smokemont via the Breakneck Ridge trail about 35 years ago back when I was in college. I'm just wondering if it is feasible these days. I'm not quite as hearty as I was back then and if it is terribly overgrown I probably don't have any business fooling around with it.

Also, what is park policy on going off official trails?

Thanks

Morgan Bearden

Rolla, Missouri

I wanted to share a link to our expedition in case anyone wishes to follow our trek into the Karakoram.  We will likely have little to no communication once past Skardu.

 …

If you get a chance, could you contact me regarding the Rossini Festival this weekend?

Thanks,

John 828-361-6698 cell

Interested to know what everyone's favorite (and least favorite) campsites are in the GSMNP.  If we're going to have to pay for them, might as well pay for a good one! 

My experience is mostly on the NC side of the park.  So here goes mine:

Favorites:

47 Enloe Creek - not the best tent sites as they sit right on the trail (but it's a mostly unused trail I think).  But the setting on Roaring Fork is fantastic.  Literally…

Hi Mr Burkhalter,

     Just wanted to say thank you for taking the bull by the horns so to speak, concerning the new backcountry fees. I am from Chattanooga and don't get to visit your area often but sure do enjoy it when I am there. It's a shame ya'll are not getting anymore coverage about all this and I see now that your mayor has thumbed his nose to the whole thing as well. Come next election, you can always vote him out :), maybe if enough folks tell him that, the light…