An American tourist is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he went off-trail and suffered thermal burns in Yellowstone National Park.
Jordan Wicks, 49, of Hillman, Michigan, is now "banned" from visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks until his case is resolved, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming announced Thursday.
Slipping off the normal tourist trails for a soak in a thermal pool is some kind of hippy obsession by people who think it has health benefits. I read a story - which may be of doubtful authenticity - that a guy and his girlfriend tried it. He became overcome by gas fumes, and by the time his girlfriend got back with a ranger, he had been dissolved by the acidic water.
Almost true. It was a guy and his sister on a post college graduation trip. He went off trail in the Norris Geyser Basin, which has the hottest water in the park. He was boiled alive before fumes could have any affect. The acidic water did the rest. I understand they recovered his wallet the next morning. Sadly, while news reports state he left the trail near Pork Chop Geyser, rangers will not reveal where he went hot potting.
It's called hot potting. One of my favorite parts of Yellowstone has been closed to visitors because summer staff was using the area for a nocturnal dip.
How do they effectively "ban" him from national parks? Do they put up posters with his likeness and tell rangers and visitors to be on the lookout for this subject?
Slipping off the normal tourist trails for a soak in a thermal pool is some kind of hippy obsession by people who think it has health benefits. I read a story - which may be of doubtful authenticity - that a guy and his girlfriend tried it. He became overcome by gas fumes, and by the time his girlfriend got back with a ranger, he had been dissolved by the acidic water.
ReplyDeleteI like to think it's true.
Almost true. It was a guy and his sister on a post college graduation trip. He went off trail in the Norris Geyser Basin, which has the hottest water in the park. He was boiled alive before fumes could have any affect. The acidic water did the rest. I understand they recovered his wallet the next morning. Sadly, while news reports state he left the trail near Pork Chop Geyser, rangers will not reveal where he went hot potting.
DeleteThanks for the additional Info, Sherm.
DeleteIt's called hot potting. One of my favorite parts of Yellowstone has been closed to visitors because summer staff was using the area for a nocturnal dip.
ReplyDeleteIf you figure out where that was, let me know. I’ll post the location in every Starbucks I can find.
ReplyDelete👍
You are a devious, dangerous man with a horribly warped sense of humour.
DeleteTHANK YOU.
Grayson
How do they effectively "ban" him from national parks? Do they put up posters with his likeness and tell rangers and visitors to be on the lookout for this subject?
ReplyDelete