Kevin Rimcoski
EF3
Lmao, check the Honda forums
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After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.
I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.
For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.
From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.
Sincerely, Jeff D.
Rant from a long time chaser: No lessons from El Reno?
- Thread starter Matthew Crowther
- Start date
Dan Robinson
EF5
So, how many chasers do you all suppose we're dealing with that are giving the hobby a bad name? Maybe 5 or 10 out of 1000? I'm interested if we can actually quantify the problem. Especially since it's such a rarity to run into it in the field, at least for me.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
I still have a hard time believing that my actions are giving Warren Faidley a bad name. They really aren't, but it's interesting you think they are.
This is why getting close doesn't bother me so much - I was out doing maintenance on my car. Getting it ready for the next chase. Luckily I wasn't under my car when the ramp it was on crumbled to nothing. That would have been the end of me, that's for sure.
Let's not take ourselves too seriously and enjoy each day as it comes. Never know when something may happen to F it up.
This is why getting close doesn't bother me so much - I was out doing maintenance on my car. Getting it ready for the next chase. Luckily I wasn't under my car when the ramp it was on crumbled to nothing. That would have been the end of me, that's for sure.
Let's not take ourselves too seriously and enjoy each day as it comes. Never know when something may happen to F it up.
Tony Gilbert
EF1
Admittedly, not had a chance to read all the posts here. Though I'm pretty much in agreement with most comments here i.e.. insane chasing anything tornadic after dark. In fact I have always wrapped in the chase at dusk with my prime aim to find the nearest (non roach haven) hotel to get my head down and plan for the next day. Having said that, a route to the nearest hotel can sometimes be 100 miles if you are unlucky. If the storm system has morphed into an MCS then you could unintentionally find yourself surrounded by nocturnal tornadic storm cells! The main point is that it is already hard enough negotiating traffic, blinding rain and big hail cores. Why make life any harder and deliberately put yourself in harms way?
PS. As I acquire more experience over the years, (and yes we never stop leaning) I tend to want to drive less at night to get in position for the next day. My alternative (and it works) ; Get your head down as early as practicable and get an early morning call. You will cover much more distance in daylight hours, less tired and put yourself at less risk to get to the next target zone.
PS. As I acquire more experience over the years, (and yes we never stop leaning) I tend to want to drive less at night to get in position for the next day. My alternative (and it works) ; Get your head down as early as practicable and get an early morning call. You will cover much more distance in daylight hours, less tired and put yourself at less risk to get to the next target zone.
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Paul Knightley
EF5
There's quite a few people who 'don't care' posting in this thread - if no-one cares, no-one should be posting!
It is true that if people want to chase in a manner which others might think as 'reckless' or whatever they can - people are free to chase as they like, providing they're within whatever laws might apply. Should they? Well, hopefully everyone here is a grown up and so can make their own personal choices. Don't get defensive over it, though - just get on with it, if that's what you want to do.
It is true that if people want to chase in a manner which others might think as 'reckless' or whatever they can - people are free to chase as they like, providing they're within whatever laws might apply. Should they? Well, hopefully everyone here is a grown up and so can make their own personal choices. Don't get defensive over it, though - just get on with it, if that's what you want to do.
Robert Forry
EF3
Truth, Ben! And real words to live by everyday man..
Stan Rose
EF5
Good question, Dan. Personally, I'm less worried about the number of 'bad apples' and just in general worried about the shear numbers--as I said previously I'm aware there's not much I can do about it other than whine on ST, but that doesn't make it any less of an issue. And of course, if you multiply any number in a group the number of bad actors is going to rise along with the overall number, as a percentage. I'm sure you'd agree that the number of chasers is wayyy more than 1000. But if we use 1000 as a benchmark for percentages, I think it's more than 5 or 10. It isn't a 'rarity' for me to see bad behavior from chasers, but I guess that depends on how you classify it, and your level of tolerance. And of course, it only takes the actions of a few to tarnish the reputations of a group. Rdale doesn't care--I do, though I admit there's not a heck of a lot I can do about it. As for the number--I'll get back to you on that after my measly chase time this Spring; might as well tally up some numbers while im on the road
Stan Rose
EF5
Geez, Ben--some friendly advice: let some one else work on your car! I don't want to have to read some bad news about you here on ST
Kevin Rimcoski
EF3
Haha Ben I can work on your car for you
Tim Paitz
EF2
I believe on one of your blogs you stated that driving is still the most dangerous aspect of storm chasing. I can't find that one but correct me if i'm wrong.
Tim Paitz
EF2
I still have a hard time believing that my actions are giving Warren Faidley a bad name. They really aren't, but it's interesting you think they are.
This is why getting close doesn't bother me so much - I was out doing maintenance on my car. Getting it ready for the next chase. Luckily I wasn't under my car when the ramp it was on crumbled to nothing. That would have been the end of me, that's for sure.
Let's not take ourselves too seriously and enjoy each day as it comes. Never know when something may happen to F it up.
Exactly. No one knows when their time's up and no one can control it. If it's their time, then it's their time. If i go out in a tornado or get struck by lightning, then so be it (obviously i don't want that to happen but you get the picture). Basically, whatever happens happens whether or not we're in control.
Dan Robinson
EF5
Yes - that would be on my chasing FAQ: http://stormhighway.com/chasingfaq.php#2 Driving is definitely still the biggest risk to chasers (it has taken more lives than tornadoes). My main fear with driving isn't other chasers though, it's something like an accident on the interstate on the way to the target, or some sudden 90 degree turn or road ending that the map doesn't show.
Again - did you guys watch my dashcam videos of Bennington and Rozel? It's all right there. I'm a little annoyed that this discussion is even continuing when many of the basic premises of the argument against the chase community are demonstrably false. I can't do much more than post actual video of *entire* storm intercepts. If that doesn't convince the critics and chicken littles, what will?
At this point, I'm more worried about the irrational fears, refusal to look at the evidence and exaggerations that I see in this thread and in the media than I am about actual chasers. Now *that* is a real and credible threat.
I'm at the point now where I want to say that no opinion is valid without entire-chase video to back it up.
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Dan Robinson
EF5
I've updated the list of full-chase timelapses available for viewing on Youtube on my original blog post:
http://stormhighway.com/blog2015/april2815a.php
These include chases in and outside of Kansas on both big days and some of the more mediocre days. If you have any video documentation of entire chase events, please let me know so that I can include them. To be fair and balanced, this includes days where there is a lot of chaser traffic! I want to show that not only is heavy chaser traffic a rare thing, but that when it does happen, it isn't anywhere near as bad as alleged.
I'm waiting for the critics to point out in those videos the examples of widespread and egregious chaser behavior that warrants outrage, legislation or concern for the future of the hobby. Here's a hint for those who don't want to sift through all of the videos: you won't find any.
http://stormhighway.com/blog2015/april2815a.php
These include chases in and outside of Kansas on both big days and some of the more mediocre days. If you have any video documentation of entire chase events, please let me know so that I can include them. To be fair and balanced, this includes days where there is a lot of chaser traffic! I want to show that not only is heavy chaser traffic a rare thing, but that when it does happen, it isn't anywhere near as bad as alleged.
I'm waiting for the critics to point out in those videos the examples of widespread and egregious chaser behavior that warrants outrage, legislation or concern for the future of the hobby. Here's a hint for those who don't want to sift through all of the videos: you won't find any.
Stan Rose
EF5
Honestly, Dan, I can't see how the videos are able to conclusively demonstrate anything. They're not pointed every direction and in 3D. The time lapse speeds up the experience, but it certainly doesn't help document chaser behavior IMO. Just look at the arguments that ensue from police videos right now--and that's just the videos that purport to actually show something happening! Short of seeing the TIV plow head-on into your dashcam, I'm not sure we can see anything, even if there's something to be seen... But to be clear, I aint saying the sky is falling, either.
Ryan McGinnis
EF5
Though I don't know how it helps - its just a typical chase of a marginal target that didn't bring crowds. I will dig through my dash cam archive, I am pretty sure I have some footage of cheese convergences. For example, I know that I have video of the fun mini convergence in Medicine Lodge. Which was pretty organized in my opinion, and did not impact the chase at all, that we did have the sheriff yelling at us.
