I figure this thread is about discussion of ethically questionable situations, and I don't mind admitting some faults in my past behavior. I figure if we talk about it, it will help raise attention to doing things right and prevent mistakes from being made again.

That said, let me relate a situation from the first time I went wheeling with a large group of people. The HEEP in front of me during part of the trail had some recent fuel tank or filter work done, and a seal was not installed correctly. The result of this, was that whenever the HEEP went downhill, he leaked gasoline.

My initial concern was that he'd dump all his fuel and we'd have to drag a heep out. However, looking back, I should have insisted that guy didn't continue the run. The guy just keept wheeling with the leaky tank, he didn't have much gas at the end. We didn't cross any flowing streams, and I guess in the end, the dino fuel went back where it came from. But it probably killed a few things on the way.

A variety of things could have been done when I first noticed the leak:
1) Leave the rig sitting level on the side of the trail, come back at the end of the run to pick it up (going off the trail is bad, and leaving it risks vandalization, etc.)
2) Return the rig back to the trailhead (and risk vandalization, etc.)
3) Send the rig back home (would he have gone home, or just gone wheeling somewhere else, by himself?)

Any good action would involve cleaning up the spill as best as possible, and not anyone drive a HEEP.

Any other suggestions?

 

This is a good thread. I think the guy should have made sure the work was done properly before hitting the trail. You say "the dino fuel went back where it came from...", yet, as you obviously know... gasoline is much different than crude... All the detergents and whatnot... anywho... Good thread though!

TREAD LIGHTLY! No questions about it...