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Explosive Device Found in Maple Canyon

Original Post
Gordon E. Douglass · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 0

Hello - I wanted to give a heads up to anyone who might be climbing in Maple Canyon. Several days ago Charmane (the USFS Ranger in charge of the campground there) discovered a explosive device in the public restroom across from site 6. It was the real deal! It is what we who use explosives in a professional capacity refer to as a "Binary Device". It is comprised of 2 substances that by themselves do not explode but when mixed together become very unstable. In this case it was a "Acid Bomb". If someone had picked it up the substances could have "mixed" thus detonating. The resulting injuries could be fatal or at the very least extremely serious. Anyone climbing in Maple please keep your eyes out for anything suspicious. There is some sick fuck out there who wants to hurt or kill someone.

Please be careful - Gordon Douglass

Tristan Higbee · · Pocatello, ID · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 2,970

What the... Seriously?! I'm absolutely dumbfounded.

Red · · Tacoma, Toyota · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 1,625

WOW! Thanks for the heads up!

I haven't been to Maple yet. What is the typical climber to non-climber ratio at this campground?

Monty · · Golden, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 3,520

That's just wrong! Glad no body was hurt.

Oh and to answer Reds question about the campers ratio, I'd say maybe 50:50 to 60:40, climbers being the minority. On holiday weekends more like 80:20.

The camping at maple is wonderful and Charmane is the nicest camp host I've ever met. To say she thinks very highly of climbers is an understatement. She's a sweet heart.

Bapgar 1 · · Out of the Loop · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 90

As if public restrooms weren't already sketchy enough....

Thanks for the heads up.

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

Kid's like blowing things up, I wouldn't jump to any serious conclusions too quickly, but the fact that is was left ready to detonate is terrifying, either it was an attempeted structure arson that failed and was abandoned, or there is a crazy asshole unabomber freak in Utah, either one wouldn't surprise me...

Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125
Evan Simons wrote:Kid's like blowing things up, I wouldn't jump to any serious conclusions too quickly, but the fact that is was left ready to detonate is terrifying, either it was an attempeted structure arson that failed and was abandoned, or there is a crazy asshole unabomber freak in Utah, either one wouldn't surprise me...
they're not 'kids' if they're making chemical explosives. setting off a drano-aluminum foil "bomb" in an empty parking lot or field is one thing. leaving a bomb behind in a public bathroom is entirely different. regardless of how old they are, i think serious conclusions are in order. just my $0.02.
Kirsten KDog · · Edgewater, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 80

What!? How bizarre and random. I'm glad no one got hurt (including Charmaine, whom is a total sweetheart and takes great care of that campground. That would be terrifying to find.) I can't imagine a climber would do that, as from what I've seen there are oftentimes more 'interesting/bored' locals there than climbers....regardless, the whole thing is creepy and messed-up :(

Claudia Williams · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 0

That would really suck to die in an outhouse on a climbing trip

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510
Crag Dweller wrote: they're not 'kids' if they're making chemical explosives. setting off a drano-aluminum foil "bomb" in an empty parking lot or field is one thing. leaving a bomb behind in a public bathroom is entirely different. regardless of how old they are, i think serious conclusions are in order. just my $0.02.
Just attempting to differentiate between some SLC pyros and an organized terrorist plot to murder innocent civilians. Either way, it should not have been done, but the difference between trying to blow up a shitter in the middle of night - having the bomb not blow - and being too scared/drunk/high to go in and get it back, is a lot different than leaving an IED specifically to kill someone. There would have been no difference to the person getting exploded, but let's not automatically assume every outhouse is now booby trapped. That's all I'm saying.
Scott Gilliam · · Raleigh, NC · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 270

Dang it, no sport climbers were killed? Man, what a shame.

Gordon E. Douglass · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 0

Further clarification - According to the team that disposed of the device it was very well constructed. It was designed to be picked up by someone unknowing of what it was. If that had occurred there was a good chance it would detonate. It appears that it was not left in the outhouse in a attempt to hurt the structure rather it was designed to hurt (or kill) a person.

Take care - Gordon

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510
Gordon E. Douglass wrote:Further clarification - According to the team that disposed of the device it was very well constructed. It was designed to be picked up by someone unknowing of what it was. If that had occurred there was a good chance it would detonate. It appears that it was not left in the outhouse in a attempt to hurt the structure rather it was designed to hurt (or kill) a person. Take care - Gordon
Well then there is a serious problem, I will be pooping in the woods from now on.
bumblefish Brogna · · Denver, CO · Joined May 2009 · Points: 10
Evan Simons wrote: Well then there is a serious problem, I will be pooping in the woods from now on.
I thought thats what hanging belays and droppable leg loops were for.
Chris Horton · · St. George, UT · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 327

I've dropped some bombs in outhouses, but damn!

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Ben Folsom wrote: Probably the stupidest comment I've ever seen on here, and that is saying a lot. The local rednecks there hate the climbers. I wouldn't be surprised with anything down there, especially with the political climate right now.
They do hate but you have to admit there are plenty of asshole climbers who dont slow down in their cars when they are running sheep down the road as well as climbers NUKING up and down the gravel road in their new suby outback, not to mention they cant find a campsite anymore in their local campground. Maybe its time for the climbers to somehow give something to the local community, say for example, climbing lessons/camp for the local kids?
Ben Folsom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,575

Local rednecks everywhere hate climbers, for the exact reason that was given in the last post. On the other hand, I had to pile rocks in the road next to my maple campsite at one time after the 50th local ATV went through the campground at 45 mph, spinning up dust and throwing rocks and gravel all around, not to mention nearly killing my dog and a small child who was camped at the site across from us. Also, 10-15 years ago, how many locals did you ever see camping at Maple Canyon?

I do completely agree with the last post though. I see quite a few climbers who do not show the locals anywhere any courtesy. Like on the drive to the City of Rocks. There is a bit of dirt road driving and whenever there are ranch houses near the road I slow down to 15-20 mph, for safety, and to help keep the dust down around these peoples homes. I've been passed by people who were obviously climbers and were going 55-60 mph right next to these peoples places.

ddriver · · SLC · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 2,084

I know a guy who was raised in Richfield. His dad taught the kids how to construct explosive devices and they did this fairly routinely as a hobby of sorts. My impression is that this sort of activity is not too uncommon in rural Utah. Not overly surprised to see this skill set this show up in the culture war.

Leah Leaves · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2007 · Points: 215

Hey Gordon- Can you describe what it looked like, or what a similar bomb like this may look like. I know these things come in all shapes & sizes, but I wonder if it was sitting in a package, bag, or something else that would encourage a person to pick it up, rather than just give it a strange look.

J tot · · Tempe, AZ · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 449

Also, if possible Gordon, can you find out what the reagents were? That would tell a lot about the person/people who built it.

BrianH Pedaler · · Santa Fe NM · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 50

Also do you have any links to official or press reports about this incident?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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