To Bogley Members,
Most of you may not know me personally, but I have been a long time member of Bogley at least since 2005 (formely known as uutah.com). Of those years, I have seen and read many fantastic, well-written Trip Reports, of the many diverse places of this incredible world! This is what makes this forum such an addictive place. Some of you frequent here maybe 3x/day and might call that excessive. I, on the other hand, at the very minimum, check this forum (mainly using the Tapatalk app for iPhone) about 30 times/daily. And that's probably on a slow-day too! ha ha.
My first point (of this written novel), is that since 2005, I have met a handful of you members and would consider your my friends. And strangely, even though I haven't met some of the more frequent posters - it feels like I know all about them (good and bad).
But over the past few years, it seems like our mentality of the forum, rules, and respect for one another has significantly taken a turn for the worse. And for one reason or another, I have no idea why. Perhaps it's the winter doldrums (again) or familiarity with one another. However, that's never an excuse to not have decency (conservative word...I know I know. :bootyshake:), thankfulness, and it goes without saying, but the ideal must be reinforced - respect. You don't have to like one another, but please be considerate to noob and veteran, young and old.
The best part of Bogley, to me, is that we have a wide range of outdoor sports, with deep passion to our sports and world, spanning across the world (although primarily located in Utah), and with a fantastic user base! Really, Bogley would not be what it is (good or bad) without every one of you!
Believe me, as I have a point to all of this, so please read on but while I first recognize a few people.
Next, I want to highlight some of our members and their contributions on why Bogley is a great forum, not JUST for the outdoors.
First is Accadacca (Scott) and Sombeech (Justin). They are the owners and admins, and full-time employees of everything that see here. They have dedicated more time and energy to this forum, than nearly every-one of us, combined! This forum is free for everyone to use and comes with little responsibility. However, please keep in mind (respect is the key here) that what you type and say reflects ALL of us here at Bogley. Either good or bad. I'm not saying to change who YOU are, and I'm certainly not going to censor the things you say, even if it's profane and pornographic (we have a members-only forum for that).
*****All I ask is for all of us (including myself) to use a little more respect, and kindness in our words towards each other.*****
Speaking of which, the forum should not tolerate the words of someone when they say "the bogley way", especially when they a little more privileges than the normal member. We need have more respect for ourselves and stand-up. Besides, people who say that adage, are the very ones contributing to that very expression. Ironic.
Second, all of the contributors to the Canyoneering forum: @ratagonia , @Iceaxe , @AJ, @CarpeyBiggs , @moab mark , @tcott , @hank moon , @deathtointernet , @french_de , @ilipichicuma , @ghawk , @Audilard , @ststephen , @canyoncaver , @mdd , @RAM , @trackrunner , @oldno7 and many, many more. By far, this is the most active forum with the exception of the General Discussion. There are SO MANY TRs, great questions, beta, information, and very helpful advice. The people here, such as Tom and Shane and MDD have published books, and the advice they give is very appreciative. Keep in mind (preaching to the choir) that posting and responding is a not a full-time job for them. It's all volunteer. The stick around for the passion of the sport, and our incredibly active forum. Some would argue that it's THE most active canyoneering forum in the US. If not most of the world! Thank you to every one of you! Keep posting your questions, comments, but please show a little more respect to each other and keep things a little more civil.
Other great contributors: Loah (fishing). If you haven't read his TRs, then you are missing out on a LOT of great information, pics, and a over-all great GUY!
Bruteforce (ATV), posts descriptive TRs and has some good stories to tell.
Mountainbiking: @REDFOX , @RedSpecialized , @Sombeech , @accadacca , @blueeyes , @neilether make this another active forum. The people here are very friendly and post a a lot of helpful information, and they don't take themselves to seriously (they post their crashes sometimes)!
Rockart Ruins: If you have not seen @IntrepidXJ TRs, again, you are missing out on a LOT of great information and pictures! @coinslab , use to be a frequent poster and haven't seen him for a while, but he posted a lot of great TRs back in the day too.
Backpacking and Camping: We had some great members here (but due to difference of opinions and personality conflicts (to say nicely)) but they decided to leave and take the TRs with them. They were extremely detailed and their photos were professional grade! However, a lot of information still resides here and is still active. @denaliguide has a lot of great information to share and funny stories (so I hear).
Running: A fairly new section, but a few contibutors make it from vanishing. @Gambel Oak , @trackrunner , @Sun Dance , @ross88guy , @ststephen , @Riseforms , @Thomas , are just a few who are very knowledgable with everything from proper stretches and form, to shoes, to great music to run too. And wouldn't you believe it, some runners take pictures while they trail run. Don' be afraid of asking for help here.
Caving: @jumar , @RedRoxx , @canyoncaver , @ndonaldj , @errinevans , @cookiecutter (currently on his 2yr LDS mission), @Red shurtz, @CaverMC , and many others make this forum a very special one. Not many people venture into caves, and seeing their pics and stories, makes this one a not-miss either. They provide invaluable knowledge and experience. A bunch of great people, even though they might not share every single location of caves with the whole world. Scour the threads there and you might find some of the reasons behind their motives. It's not as bad and elitist as you might judge.
The other forums, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, etc are ones I don't frequent on a regular basis, but my analysis of the threads tell me that they have great contributors just like the other sub-forums. Thanks everyone for your participation here!
Bogley is also seeing a influx of across-the-pond visitors! They seem to frequent the canyoneering and hiking section in particular, especially for the Southern Utah areas. I have to pay respect to them for their great English skills (although no one is judging) but more importantly, their tales while staying here in the SouthWest are an eye-opening experience. Thanks @Rob L , @maarten.1975 , @Michael_WB , @Cirrus2000 (ha ha), @zzyzx for letting us share our world with you and thank you for your contributions and different perspective (compared to most of us living in Utah, who take living here for granted sometimes).
Well, asI'm skimming back through what I just wrote - I should probably get to my point again (I can easily get distracted...). I just wanted to say thanks for all our members for their participation, knowledge, experience, and helping people who share our similar love and passion for the outdoors. Of course, we are going to different opinions, and disagree with each other. That is perfectly normal and healthy. We need that dialogue. HOWEVER, please show a little more respect and civility for one another. A recent example comes to mind of "secret" canyon beta. Apparently some had the "mob mentality" and attacked the original poster for doing investigative research on the canyons. This is not acceptable. He is 100% free, and should be 100% harassment-free to find out whatever he wants. And those who want to share or not to share are given those same rights too. But please don't make it a pissing-contest and about flexing of muscles (cause I have the biggest out of everyone here :bootyshake:). Grow up!
Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of this great active community. Now, go outside and explore (and of course, post your TR!).
If you have any questions, comments, concerns - please PM me, reply here, message one of the admins or other mods, and let's all try to help each other out and be more helpful and positive.
-Brett
EDIT: don't worry, Scott nor Justin, (or anyone else for that matter) coerced, bribed, hinted at this message whatsoever. This was my own doing. I just wanted to get a few things out there in the open. And of course a thank you for everyone who participates.
PS - sorry for all of my typos, and grammatical errors. I got a little lazy and didn't want to re-read my own text. haha
