(photo: Roosevelt North Entrance Arch (dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903) at Gardiner, Montana “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People”, Yellowstone National Park, Created by Act of Congress March 1, 1872)

If it wasn't enough to be fined for not being a fisherman, Stephen Koch will also lose his job over riding a snowmobile in Grand Teton National Park. Exum Mountain Guides fired guide Stephen Koch this week after the mountain snowboarder violated Grand Teton National Park rules by using a snowmobile to access a Mount Moran climb and descent. In a public apology, Stephen stated:

“In this instance, I failed to resist the temptation to snowmobile with friends over the lake to ease the approach on a one-day ascent and descent of this magnificent mountain,” he wrote. “For my selfishness, I must apologize first to the National Park Service, to my family and also to my friends, my clients and former associates at Exum Mountain Guides, my coworkers at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, my colleagues at Art Hazen Real Estate, to the Grand Teton Climbing Rangers, and to the climbing, skiing, and snowboarding communities in general.

“As a mountain guide, and a longtime member of the Jackson community, I know well that observance of the regulations governing the use of public lands is important to preserve the qualities that make Jackson Hole so extraordinary,”

Stephen goes on to say:

“Distinguishing between fishermen’s access and those skiers also complying with the ‘four-stroke best use’ regulations is unjust,” he wrote.

“Perhaps my recent transgression will result in some good by initiating a dialogue that leads to a more equitable policy that better serves all the interested groups while maintaining and protecting the park’s resources and goals,”

Read previous blog on the snowmobile incident