Anyone else carry a master key?

[Megawatt]

Years ago I ran a trail after camping out on a mountain. Done the trail many times in the past. At the end of the trail is a steel gate that was open.

However I got to thinking what if the gate was locked? I would not have enough fuel to backtrack the 30 miles off road to the other end of the trail to get off the mountain.

Ever since then I carry a master key for the emergency access. I would only cut a chain link to obtain freedom and not destroy the lock. Not that I want to cut locks but I also don’t want to cause search and rescue to mobilize.

Anyone else carry one for emergencies?

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[yokramer]

Do I bring tools to allow for trespass on possibly private property?

 

[mixdup]

I mean, no, I generally don't ride on property I don't have permission to be on that could be locked with me not having a way out. That said, how would you know what type of master key to carry, or that the type of lock you need to unlock has a 'master key' available?

Are you saying you carry a lockpick or lock picking kit?

 

[Terrymo]

As long as we’re not talking about trespassing and vandalism, i think you need to make your own adult decisions in this scenario and accept any possible adult consequence.

If a chain were to be cut and reconnected with another padlock with the original padlock still intact and useable because of a life threatening emergency I would do it being willing to accept any consequences. Leaving a note or letting the appropriate people know why you did it and being willing to pay for a new chain I think would cover your bases.

This is different in my mind then someone going somewhere they don’t belong or getting stuck behind a gate because it gets locked at a certain time.

This is just a hypothetical question from a friend right?

 

[Terrymo]

I mean, no, I generally don't ride on property I don't have permission to be on that could be locked with me not having a way out. That said, how would you know what type of master key to carry, or that the type of lock you need to unlock has a 'master key' available?

Are you saying you carry a lockpick or lock picking kit?

Master key being a pair of BFBC (big fuckin bolt cutters) I think?

 

[Heimkehr]

Years ago I ran a trail after camping out on a mountain. Done the trail many times in the past. At the end of the trail is a steel gate that was open.

However I got to thinking what if the gate was locked? I would not have enough fuel to backtrack the 30 miles off road to the other end of the trail to get off the mountain.

As typed, your post suggests that a locked gate would've prevented your eventual, homeward-bound exit from your campsite. Otherwise, why would you run out of fuel if the now-locked gate forced to go 30 miles in another direction?

Did I miss something? Or is additional detail needed here? Thanks.

 

[Reinen]

What if it isn't a locked gate? What if it's a landslide, washout, or large fallen tree making the trail impassible?

The answer here is to always bring more fuel than you need because unexpected backtracking happens. The answer is not to be ready, willing and able to trespass.

 

[Megawatt]

Never said anything about trespassing. Never even mentioned anything about private property.

I tried to keep the post short. Some public roads/trails have gates for when there is ice on the mountain.

If your in Vegas I am talking specifically about Mormon wells trail that connects hwy 95 to 93. I have seen knuckleheads think it’s funny to put a lock and close the gate in the Summer. It’s a trail road away from general public view.

 

[mixdup]

Never said anything about trespassing. Never even mentioned anything about private property.

I tried to keep the post short. Some public roads/trails have gates for when there is ice on the mountain.

If your in Vegas I am talking specifically about Mormon wells trail that connects hwy 95 to 93. I have seen knuckleheads think it’s funny to put a lock and close the gate in the Summer. It’s a trail road away from general public view.

You still didn't address some of the other stuff. By "master key" are you talking about a set of bolt cutters?

 

[Megawatt]

master key. Is this only a gen X term?

Two years old. Still in plastic. Never used.

 

[RicRecon]

I understand exactly what Megawatt is referring to with a master key. I haven’t carried that key with me while exploring off-road. However, when I was in private practice as a licensed land surveyor while performing rural boundary surveys, I did. I also carried brand new locks with keys and after I opened the gate, I attached the new lock with the key to the old chain so I could close the gate leaving conditions intact just as I found them. A licensed land surveyor is exempt from trespassing laws in California (and some other states) while performing a survey. I would not be exempt while simply exploring.

 

[RicRecon]

master key. Is this only a gen X term?

Two years old. Still in plastic. Never used.

I always refer to those as a master key too

 

[Rickythetruk]

Yeah I get the "master key" reference - bolt cutters for emergencies make sense on remote trails, especially if you know idiots sometimes put fake locks on public gates just to mess with people.

 

[Terrymo]

I don’t carry these but I have used them to cut grade 70 chain and stainless steel aircraft cable. Gratuitous pic

 

[mixdup]

master key. Is this only a gen X term?

Two years old. Still in plastic. Never used.

I'm a pretty old millenial, just missed Gen X by 2 or 3 years, and I've never once in my life ever heard anyone refer to a set of bolt cutters as a "master key"

it's a cute joke, I guess, but there are locks other than those that a set of cutters can get on, and things to cut that aren't locks, so it never would've dawned on me until someone else in this thread suggested that might be what you meant

Based on the listed locations of everyone participating, I suspect it's a regional thing not a generational one

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