Credit card fraud in the High Sierra
Eric suggested we try panhandling. Or washing dishes for food.
To recap: Eric and I were at Vermilion Valley Resort on Saturday, surrounded by a dizzying array of backpacker luxuries. A lack of money stood between us and barbecued beef, homemade pie with ice cream, showers and communication devices to put us in touch with the newsroom.
We had just enough money to get us across Florence Lake at the end of our backpacking trip. Cash isn't normally at the top of one's list when journeying into the mountains. It's outranked by, say, toilet paper.
Hear Eric and Christina discuss climbing Bear Ridge while eating breakfast at Vermilion Valley ResortDesperation drove us to do what any broke kid does when faced with a financial crisis. We called our parent (company) for money.
Reneé Fernandes in The Bee's Photo department answered the phone. She told me the conversation on her end went something like this: "What? Where are you? You're freakin' at a resort?"
Eric managed to convey that we needed money and asked for a company credit card number. As he talked, I nervously watched the timed phone call chew through the small amount of cash we had. If this gamble didn't work, we'd be eating rehydrated "chicken pot pie" and walking extra miles to the other side of the lake.
It was then that Renee did something beyond the call of duty. She gave us her personal credit card number. Eric jotted it down on a yellow pad and promised not to lose it.
Armed with the Power of Credit, Eric and I proceeded to eat, wash and transmit text and photos to The Bee. We took the ferry back across Edison Lake on Sunday and continued to tromp along the trail.
Here's what we didn't know.
After giving us her credit card Saturday night, Renee drove to Pismo Beach for the weekend. On Monday, she left her credit card at a restaurant and had to call the company to cancel it.
An unpleasant thought occurred to her as she drove home. Had the Vermilion charges gone through? Did Eric and I need money to cross Florence Lake? Had she just doomed us to committing credit card fraud in the Sierra?
The worries turned out to be unfounded. Eric and I weren't busted by a bunch of rangers doing a stakeout behind some boulders. Otherwise, who knows what kind of promotional campaign Smokey the Bear might have launched?
Only You Can Prevent Credit Card Fraud.
Reneé will be reimbursed. But it's up to her to keep track of her new credit card.
Comments
We learned to carry a small amount of cash when we packed, but you're right; toilet paper is of higher concern than cash when in the back-country!
Posted by: Patti Ogden | August 27, 2006 06:59 PM
who would have thunk $50 cash wouldn't be enough in the wilderness?? i blame it on the town of mammoth. and jim and emily needed peanut butter.
eric zamora
Posted by: eric | August 29, 2006 08:51 PM
Sounds to me like the winners in this episode were Jim and Emily with poor, well meaning Renee the loser. A better motto might be "Don't pack with those who have no cash and not enough peanut butter."
A small amount of cash in the back country is good. But too much is a liability in many ways. A photo ID and credit card (marked "check ID", not signed) serve mulitple uses,are more secure, and (in the case of change) are lighter and less cumbersome. Better planning and/or resisting temptations like Mammoth Lakes and Vermillion Resort might be better solutions.(I know that last part is asking alot.)
This is a great story. Looking forward to more Christina.
Posted by: Yosemite Dan | August 30, 2006 08:04 AM