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ol-zeke 
me in the Tetons
Group: Members
Posts: 10792
Joined: Sep. 2002
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Posted on: Jan. 01 2013, 1:30 pm |
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For years, I submitted for my permit on the first day of the month, 5 months before my trip. Walk ups got first choice if they were there on that first day of the month, 5 months before the trip. Policies changed this year to put everyone in the same lottery. Those who get a permit request in on the same day all go into a box and are drawn at random.
This Dec 1st, I wanted to submit a request for April. Problem was, I was out of town on a dayhike trip. I brought my filled out permit application with me, with the intention of faxing it in from the motel. I had always heard the app could be faxed in after closing time on the last day of the month, so it was there for them when they opened the next day. This seemed like a good opportunity for me to send off my fax before we went off to the brew pub for dinner.
Now, here is the new to me info. I called the BC office to verify I could send it in after they closed on the last day of the month. The Ranger who answered told me I could fax it in any time during the last week of the month, something they did not publish on the website or the written literature. I sent in my request immediately, on the 28th of Nov. We got our confirmed permit email on Dec 4. First choice of routing, as usual with my luck at the GC.
So, I would suggest all of you call to see just how early you can send in your application. I saw the Visa charge on Dec 1, so I knew we were in. I was a bit concerned I had been told bad info, and would be denied a permit for submitting too early. This was not the case.
After thinking about this for a month, I decided to share because IMO, all of us should be operating under the same rules. I benefited by this rule change, so I felt everyone should know about it.
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Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
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| Post Number: 2
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TigerFan
Group: Members
Posts: 2003
Joined: May 2010
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Posted on: Jan. 01 2013, 9:58 pm |
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Permit applications received, whether faxed or mailed, from the 20th on are held and put into the lottery on the first. I only found out recently but it's apparently been the policy for a few years. Rangers will confirm if asked but they're not changing the written policy as published on the website. It doesn't change your chances of securing a permit.
Personally, I would only use this if you're travelling or have some other conflict that makes it difficult to fax your request in on the first and I would call beforehand to confirm. The word is getting out and if it becomes and issue, they can easily decide to revert back to the published policy and disqualify your permit request. JMO.
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Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
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| Post Number: 3
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ol-zeke
me in the Tetons
Group: Members
Posts: 10792
Joined: Sep. 2002
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Posted on: Jan. 01 2013, 10:17 pm |
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You are correct. I should have mentioned they could always revert back if this becomes a problem. Thanks for adding that for me.
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Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
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| Post Number: 4
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JimInMD
Group: Members
Posts: 3112
Joined: Feb. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 02 2013, 5:30 am |
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Thanks for the information. I was supposed to make my first trip to GC in 2012 but that got delayed. We're still hopeful for later this year perhaps.
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Checking out for a while, find me on FB.
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| Post Number: 5
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null
Group: Members
Posts: 615
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Jan. 02 2013, 9:07 am |
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Fax? Is it 1987 ALREADY?
They should bring the Park Service into this millennium and at least have an e-mail inbox, if not allow people to tweet themselves into the lottery.
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Lose Weight Backpacking
http://www.fitpacking.com
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