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Many years ago I went hiking in the northern California redwoods. The trail we selected was designated as a one-day hike in and out. When we arrived at our turnaround destination we were treated to spectacular views of a lake off in the distance and miles of mountains in every direction. This was a popular hike and we shared lunch and conversation with other hikers as they arrived at this turnaround spot.
After taking photos, relaxing, and sharing a great visit with the other hikers, it was time to clean up our lunch area and head back to ensure we would arrive at the parking lot before dark. As we all got ready to head back three hikers decided to hike to the lake. It appeared to them to be just a couple of miles away and they felt they could get there and back to our picnic location with only a short delay before heading back to the trailhead. Several of us told them we thought the distance to the lake was deceptive and that it might take them longer than they thought. That would mean they would be hiking back the last few miles in the dark. They didn’t agree and off they went.
As we started heading back some were worried because the lake part of the trail was not used quite as regularly and usually spending the night was the best plan for hiking the entire trail to the lake. The lake hikers did not have overnight provisions. When we arrived at the parking lot it was just starting to get dark. One of our new friends decided to notify a ranger about the lake hikers. The rest of us got in our cars and left. I never heard anything in the news about the errant hikers so I assumed they either hiked back in the pitch-black darkness of the forest or had to spend the night and await the arrival of daylight. Since it didn’t hit the news I guessed park resources were not pressed into a search mission.
I’ve gone on many hikes but always day hikes. I’ve never hiked into a location with a backpack and spent the night. I’ve never gone on a difficult terrain hike. I like popular trails and spots with ranger stations. On a few occasions I’ve gone on camping vacations and during our stay at a lake or forest we enjoyed day hikes in the area always with a return to our campsite before evening. We did this to be safe but to also not create problems for park personnel. There are experienced hardcore hikers who manage remote treks and keep safe, but even those intrepid explorers sometimes get into trouble and need rescue. That isn’t for me.
My reasons for a more cautious outdoor experience are simple. I respect the outdoors and I do not want to drain park resources when I get lost in the middle of nowhere or fall off a cliff or get eaten by a forest creature. The thought of teams of search dogs, horseback riders, and helicopters looking for me because I went somewhere I shouldn’t is not part of the hiking experience for me. I’m also not eager to run into a bear or mountain lion. If they kill me they would then be tracked down and killed because it’s a huge deal to kill a human. I don't feel it’s necessary for me to go where humans are not usually found just as I don't want a bear in my living room. The carpet-cleaning bill would be large.
Hiking trails are designed to offer the maximum outdoor experience with the least intrusion into pristine locations. Some hikes are strictly monitored with permits issued and lists of instructions for the hikers. Many admonish hikers to stay on the trails at all times. I’ve always been interested in hiking part of the Continental Divide Trail and part of the Appalachian Trail. I’ve watched documentaries on both and some parts of each are easy to manage for most people. I’d want a guide.
Currently we have military and civilian personnel serving and working in a dangerous part of the world. Many people from around the world are there in an effort to help that troubled region with insurmountable problems. Regardless of our personal views on what our policies are in that region I believe we all agree that our soldiers’ lives are at risk every day. They don't sleep well, they spend hours each day wondering if this will be their last day, food is limited when they are out on maneuvers, relationships are tight but also strained, they are physically uncomfortable most of the time, health issues are tremendous, they are not coming home when they were promised, and many civilians who are working in that part of the world suffer similar difficulties. Of the civilians working there many are there strictly for the money but many are there for humanitarian purposes.
A soldier goes where he/she must go. Every day they hike. Every day they are in harm’s way. Sometimes they get stuck in an area where their lives are on the line and sometimes they lose their lives. If they stop at a small shop for tea or coffee in a village that appears friendly they can be ambushed. Sometimes they find themselves in dangerous situations because of a mistaken direction. It is not a game. It is not a vacation. Our people are dying over there just crossing the street at the wrong time. Just driving down a road their vehicle can hit an explosive. Every day they are in tremendous danger. Every night their parents, wives, children, brothers, sisters, and friends don't sleep.
The three young people who were caught hiking in Iran are not spies or terrorists. Iran knows that but this is an opportunity for them to poke us in the eye. What a glorious present these hikers have given to Iran. Anything and everything we can do here at home to keep the Iranian situation under control is our absolute first priority. Iran is just begging for an excuse to rile us up and start a war with them so they can use that as justification to develop their nuclear program and obliterate Israel from the face of the planet even though it would mean blowing up all of the surrounding territory as well. If I were serving in Iraq right now and heard this morning’s news story about the poor health of the hikers I think I’d be angry as I sit in my trench hungry and sick and scared out of my wits.
The lead story this morning was that two of the jailed hikers are not doing well and are developing health issues. I also heard—later in the newscast—that there were a string of explosions in Bagdad with 32 fatalities. This took place on an important holy day. Of the two stories the hikers were the lead story and the time spent on their problems was greater than the report on the fatalities in Bagdad. With all the people in that part of the world who are in constant danger every day they must be very puzzled why three people would be brazen enough to go hiking anywhere near Iran. These young people have caused tremendous harm to themselves (and their families) and to our efforts to negotiate any kind of a peaceful coexistence with not only Iran but also other countries in that region.
I’m sure the book offers are streaming in. When and if returned they will be the darlings of the interview circuit. They will ultimately benefit from this ordeal. There are theories they did this deliberately to see what would happen. A little fame and glory. Of course, many people believe they are truly spies. That would actually be so much better if they were really spies rather than three spoiled expensively educated brats with challenged map-reading skills. Their parents should get a refund from UC Berkeley.
The political situation there is so explosive that any incident that creates an international crisis puts our soldiers in even more jeopardy. The hikers’ lack of respect for the region and issues confronting our soldiers is abhorrent. They have taken the focus off the real concerns in the area and now three young Americans with an overblown sense of entitlement thinking they can just go wherever they want may cause tensions to flare and create even more danger for our soldiers who are stationed very near to Iran. Any incident of this nature can explode into physical trouble with Iran and spread our military resources even thinner. We all want our soldiers to come home, not create reasons for them to stay longer or bring even more soldiers over there. Just one stupid international incident can do that.
If one wants to visit Iran it’s possible, though difficult, to obtain proper papers to do so. Rick Steves, the famous travel guru, did that. Because he’s a travel journalist his papers were probably more easily obtained and he produced a travel video of Iran—with permission. It was a very carefully worded video and I believe he did this in an effort to create harmony between our two countries. I don't think we can have a harmonious relationship with Iran but I think we could possibly live separate lives and leave each other alone. I know archaeologists and historians love the entire Middle East which is rich in artifacts and amazing discoveries surround every exploration, but they go there with permission and never go beyond the restrictions set down for them. However, even if I were personally invited on a private jet to have tea with Ahmadinejad to discuss world events I would decline. I’d probably use the wrong utensil and end up in prison. And besides that, I’m a woman and that never works well in that part of the world.
The three young people are educated and knowledgeable about various cultures and love to travel and study the world. One report said they are considered “seasoned” travelers. In fact, certain parts of that region are becoming popular destinations for hikers and vacationers. But while hikers are frolicking in the hillsides and plains of western Iraq and other quasi “safe” locations enjoying photography and sightseeing--our soldiers are not. Where is the respect for people who are over there struggling and fighting and avoiding being blown up? What can a soldier think when he/she hears hikers were captured in Iran because they mistakenly crossed into Iranian territory on a hiking vacation when just a few miles away people are being blown up every day by roadside IEDs? How many resources are now being spent on retrieving the hikers when our resources are so drained just keeping our soldiers there?
News stories abound about the plight of the hikers, three Berkeley grads with time and money to hike close to a war zone and close to a hostile country. What does a soldier think when he/she hears about these three? The photos of them in their travels and videos show carefree happy young people. What do our soldiers feel? And, if one of my kids did that not only would I be devastated and scared out of my wits, but I’d be very disappointed with their judgment and in fact I’d be angry with their lack of respect for our country and for me.
If three Iranians were discovered at Armstrong Grove here in northern California, and it was determined they were in our country illegally, and they said they were there by mistake, guess where they would be right now? Not in Tehran with their families. I don't know what’s going on with Guantanamo lately but I suspect they’d be spending time there or a similar location without legal representation and without contact with their families. There could even be water-boarding, dogs snarling at them, or naked pictures with guns pointing at their heads.
Iran is scary. We don't want to add Iran to our soldiers’ itinerary. All of us need to be respectful of what is going on in that part of the world and do our best to stay out of there and bring our people home safely. Accidentally hiking in Iran is not the best way to do that. I didn’t go to Berkeley but I know how to read a map.
www.sharonstrawhandgarner.com
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