# Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 31, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945 "2021-01-31T21:25:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 180
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3590 "2022-07-01T16:40:52Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The effects of unprepared idiocy are even more pronounced in extreme heat. I’m sure. My Wife and I just hiked the Hawaii volcanoes national park 2 months ago. We where prepared with water, some food and rain gear. It was only 3.5 miles to hike down to the (inactive) caldera, cross it, and hike back out. It was a bit rough though. Luckily it was a cloudy day (that side of the island is very rainy though). If it had been sunny and hot, walking on black lava would have been no fun at all. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3591 "2022-07-01T18:21:31Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Perhaps a shortcoming of modern entertainment: people are shown doing stuff that they do all the time, making it look easy, and the viewers think, _oh, I could do that, no problem_ . Yup, plus cultural shifts towards indoor activities and decreased childhood exposure to natural environments, including loss of basic familiarity with weather patterns, terrain types, insects and so on. That’s not just my subjective “kids these days”-ism, [either:](https://www.childinthecity.org/2018/01/15/children-spend-half-the-time-playing-outside-in-comparison-to-their-parents/?gdpr=accept) > [@](#): > > A recent [2018] UK study commissioned by the National Trust found that children spend half the time playing outside that their parents did. […] What’s more, a study by the [UK government study](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/monitor-of-engagement-with-the-natural-environment-pilot-study-visits-to-the-natural-environment-by-children) found that 10% of respondents have not even been in a natural environment such as a park, forest or beach for at least a year. It showed that overall engagement with outside rural spaces is low in the modern age […] > > […] it’s not just a UK phenomenon. A recent study by the Seattle Children’s Research Institute appearing in the [Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine](http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/) discovered that almost 50% of preschoolers lacked even one parent-supervised outdoor play session per day. On average, children aged 10 to 16 now spend only 12.6 minutes a day on vigorous outdoor activity compared with 10.4 waking hours being relatively motionless. > > We are raising a generation of sedentary kids who would much rather sit on the couch with a game controller and Mario than be outside armed only with a stick and their imagination. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3592 "2022-07-01T19:09:31Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > and the viewers think, _oh, I could do that, no problem_. I still fall for some of those shows. I haven’t managed to set my kitchen on fire yet, but some of my overly optimistic disasters have been epic. They are closing some Phoenix hiking trails during the hottest part of the day and people still sneak in and get in trouble, then call for help. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3593 "2022-07-01T19:34:13Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > They are closing some Phoenix hiking trails during the hottest part of the day First time we drove through Death Valley, there was a spritz of rain as we descended into Panamint Valley just to the west. Cresting the rise, the signs advised us to turn off the A/C, so we descended toward Stovepipe Wells with the windows open in the early July afternoon heat, only to encounter the Death Valley marathon. Those runners did not look like they were out for a pleasant afternoon job, and some of them were barely lifting their feet from the blistering asphalt (though there were support vehicles). We were not inspired to take up such a challenge – there are levels of discomfort that do not appear to be worth the pain, no matter how impressed you might ultimately be with yourself. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3594 "2022-07-01T19:40:44Z")
The reason they are closing the trails isn’t to protect the hikers, it is to protect the rescue teams who have to go out in the heat to rescue idiots. (My disasters are all inspired by that stupid British Baking show. They are amateurs with a tiny amount of work space. I’m an amateur with a lot of work space. Of course I can bake and decorate a three tier wedding cake in half an hour, right?) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3595 "2022-07-01T19:42:13Z")
Quoted snippet: he’s by all accounts a grown ass man, cosplaying > [@k9bfriender](#): > > There’s nothing wrong with adults getting into cosplay. Sure, I guess, when you say it that way. But when you say it this way… > [@bobot](#): > > He got Trump’s endorsement, and celebrated by, even though he’s by all accounts a grown ass man, cosplaying as Trump himself. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3596 "2022-07-01T19:47:33Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The effects of unprepared idiocy are even more pronounced in extreme heat. I spend a lot of time in the Grand Canyon, and it’s astonishing the people you see coming down the corridor trails. People who clearly have not left their couch in decades, elderly people so frail that you might stop to help them cross the street, people who are morbidly obese - making admirable efforts to become more active, but just completely clueless about the difficulty of what they are attempting. I hiked across the Grand Canyon about ten years ago. It was probably the most physically taxing thing I’ve ever done, but I made it. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3597 "2022-07-01T19:47:53Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > the Death Valley marathon You probably saw the Badwater ultramarathon that goes from Death Valley to Whitney Portal in July. It’s a lot longer than marathon distance - 135 miles. It’s not entirely inappropriate to mention this in an “Omnibus Stupid MFers” thread, but at least these guys are extremely well trained and well supported if they get into difficulty. > **[Badwater Ultramarathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badwater_Ultramarathon)** > > The Badwater Ultramarathon is a 135-mile (217 km) ultramarathon race starting at −282 feet (−86 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8,360 feet (2,550 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney. It takes place annually in mid-July when the weather is the most extreme and temperatures can reach 130 °F (54 °C) during the day at Badwater Basin. > Originally, the run was conceived as being between the lowest and the highest p... ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3598 "2022-07-01T19:48:31Z")
There are many, many, many problems with cosplaying as Trump. But the cosplay itself isn’t one of them. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3599 "2022-07-01T19:54:16Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > {…} There are many, many, many problems with cosplaying as Trump. {…} Mostly getting the tiny fingers to look realistic, mostly. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3600 "2022-07-01T19:57:29Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > getting the tiny fingers to look realistic The easiest way is to get a prosthetic body suit, giant false head and oversized podium to make everything else bigger, then stand further away. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3601 "2022-07-01T20:01:13Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The effects of unprepared idiocy are even more pronounced in extreme heat. I spend a lot of time in the Grand Canyon, and it’s astonishing the people you see coming down the corridor trails. The Grand Canyon, just because it’s a canyon, has the added difficulty that you’re going uphill on the second half of your hike. I’ve never been worried about climbing down a mountain that I’ve climbed up (yes, I keep an eagle eye on the weather). I’ve hiked down into the Grand Canyon once, from the North Rim nearly 40 years ago. I got probably about 2/3 of the way down and was feeling fine, but had the sense to turn around at that point. I was pretty tired when I got back to the top, but not totally wiped out. I still would have liked to have gotten all the way down and back up, but I still feel I made the right decision. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3602 "2022-07-01T21:27:05Z")
It’s gotten so bad at the Grand Canyon that the park service now has a volunteer force of auxiliary rangers, only at GCNP. They hang out about 1/3 to 1/2 way down the 2 most popular trails. They’re trained to assess the fitness and preparedness of hikers. If they have any doubts, they’ll talk with the hiker and maybe try to convince them to head back up. They have no authority, but wear a uniform, carry a radio, and are trained in wilderness rescue. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3603 "2022-07-01T22:09:44Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I hiked across the Grand Canyon Can you describe what you mean by across? I can’t visualize it. Do you mean down one side and up the other? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3604 "2022-07-01T22:33:41Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > The Grand Canyon, just because it’s a canyon, has the added difficulty that you’re going uphill on the second half of your hike. I’ve never been worried about climbing down a mountain that I’ve climbed up (yes, I keep an eagle eye on the weather) I saw signs at the Canyon that said “down is optional, up is mandatory”. > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Can you describe what you mean by across? I can’t visualize it. Do you mean down one side and up the other? Parked my car at the trailhead on the North Rim and caught a shuttle van around the Canyon to the South Rim. Spent the night at a hotel and hiked down the next day. Spent the night at Phantom Ranch, and hiked up to the North Rim. Was completely exhausted and so stiff I could barely walk for days. One of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever been. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3605 "2022-07-01T22:34:36Z")
If anybody is probing the depths of boredom … this is a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend: > **[Alene’s Adventure Into the Inferno](https://felixwong.com/2011/07/alenes-adventure-into-the-inferno/)** > > One-hundred thirty-five miles in 125-degree heat, from the lowest point to the base of the highest mountain in the continental U.S., on foot through Death Valley. That pretty much sums \[…\] The TL;DR: > [@](#): > > THE ROUTE > > Here is a [map](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_sVseu3Us/Tgx8-btcxUI/AAAAAAAADiQ/2lPaoyrI0QA/s1600/smallscale.jpg) of what the 285 miles will cover. > > The Badwater Ultra goes from Point A to Point B (135 miles). **After Alene is done with the race, she will run back from Point B to Point A (another 135 miles).** [bolding mine] Respect. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3606 "2022-07-01T22:53:09Z")
Florida pastor man [arrested at Starbucks](https://weartv.com/news/local/florida-pastor-charged-with-performing-sex-act-on-himself-on-starbucks-patio) because his latte was not pale enough so he was trying to pump some stuff out of his penis to fix that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3607 "2022-07-01T22:55:10Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Florida pastor man [arrested at Starbucks](https://weartv.com/news/local/florida-pastor-charged-with-performing-sex-act-on-himself-on-starbucks-patio) because his latte was not pale enough so he was trying to pump some stuff out of his penis to fix that. - Maybe they were out of creamer. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3608 "2022-07-01T22:58:31Z")
> “The investigation revealed that Mr. Muniz-Colon previously had similar charges that occurred at the same location,” a release from the sheriff’s office states. Oh, sure. Maybe he didn’t finish the first time. I could totally see that. [A pastor is still technically ‘A Florida man …’ – in this case, a man of “Oh, God !”] ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945/3609 "2022-07-01T23:06:04Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > The TL;DR: - Too Long; Didn’t Run? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945.md?page=179) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-stupid-mfers-in-the-news-thread-part-1/931945.md?page=181)