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Feds propose ban on rope-swinging from Utah arches

By WTOP Staff

BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Federal officials have proposed a two-year ban on rope-swinging from iconic Utah arches and other high-flying activities at two popular landmarks that have led to deaths and injuries witnessed by visitors flocking to the sites for peaceful reflection.

The Bureau of Land Management says rope activities at Corona Arch and Gemini Bridges near Moab can disturb other people in easily accessible hiking areas that each receive 40,000 or more visitors a year.

People often shout or scream while they swing, and in one case, a group authorized to celebrate Passover under the Corona Arch was interrupted by rope swingers above, according to a BLM report released Monday.

Though the number of people who participate in the extreme activity is thought to be small, it’s become a regular occurrence and can be dangerous. A West Jordan man, 22-year-old Kyle Lee Stocking, died at Corona Arch last year after leaving too much slack in his rope. A 25-year-old New Yorker was critically injured in May.

Those accidents happened in front of visitors, including children, the report says. Another rope swinger, 32-year-old Adam Jason Weber, was also killed last year swinging from Day Canyon, about 7 miles west of Moab.

The pendulum-style sport is relatively new, and started to take off at Corona after a high-adrenaline video was posted to YouTube titled “World’s Largest Rope Swing” two years ago. That video has gotten more than 2 million views.

“We have seen the popularity of some roped activities skyrocket in recent years,” said BLM Utah spokeswoman Megan Crandall.

Signs of wear are also starting to show, including bolts bored into the rock and rope scars at both Corona and Gemini Bridges, a set of two rock spans and the head of a side canyon.

The proposed ban would also affect other rope activities. That includes highlining, or balancing on taunt ropes between the two rims of the canyon, as well as ziplining and rappelling, all of which are popular at Gemini Bridges.

Attempts to contact people who rope-swing in the area weren’t successful Tuesday, but Moab-based climbing guide Evan Howes said in June that the area has seen an “explosion” in extreme-sports adventurers, rendering it “Disneyland-esque.”

“I don’t envy the position the BLM is in,” Howes said. “They’re trying to preserve the experience for some people, and that means limiting it for others.”

The BLM is accepting written and emailed comments from the public through Sept. 25. The agency hasn’t set a deadline for a decision on the ban or when it might go into effect if it is approved.

If restrictions are put in place, they would affect some 32 acres around Corona Arch, including Bowtie Arch, and about 10 acres near Gemini Bridges.

Rope activities wouldn’t be restricted elsewhere.

“That’s one of the things that makes Moab so unique, it’s a great place for kids, and for high-adrenaline, more extreme activities, there’s a place to do that,” Crandall said. The two-year period is designed to let the agency study the issue and make a decision on possible permanent restrictions.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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