2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Are you a seasoned hiker, or just starting out? Let us know your questions or experience with the backcountry permit process.

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teapot57
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2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

To me, they will always be backcountry permits. Kinda like Big Mountain will always be Big Mountain. The person that updated the website must feel the same.

Due to issues related to the Pay.gov website, opening day for backcountry permit advance reservations has been moved forward to Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Other than this date change, all other aspects of the advance reservation process will remain the same.....
https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

So today is the big day. Hopefully everyone has finalized their permits and made their offering to the backcountry gods.

Is anyone having trouble submitting their permit this morning? I’m getting an error message when i try to open the application. I’m hoping it’s temporary so I don’t have to start anew, so will keep trying.

Please let us know of your experience and your eventual success!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

Here’s what I’m getting:

Error
FORM_SCHEDULE_TIME_CONSTRAINT_PARSING_ERROR
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

I'm having the same issue Tina! Ugh!

I just checked my saved document last night and it was working fine. Now this morning I'm getting the same error as Teapot
If someone finds the solution please post it here.

Thanks
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

Every year it’s something,
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by DawsonPass62 »

Submitted mine at 7:43 CDT with no problems.

Good luck!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by McKee80 »

I just entered my longshot without any problems as well.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

After logging out and signing back in a couple of times, I was able to submit. So keep trying, Paul.

I wish the NPS would research an update to their back country permitting system. Parks Canada’s system is excellent. On opening day, traffic gets routed into waiting rooms so the system does not crash. You actually book your permit yourself online and have your permit right away if your campsites are available- no submitting an app and waiting weeks for a ranger review. And there is a cancellation option where you actually get a refund. Not a total refund, but enough to encourage you to cancel out online to free up spots for others to book.

A system like this would avoid groups submitting multiple permits for the same route, and there would be no waiting for ranger review. You can look at the website and see what campsites are open at any time, and book the permit yourself. If you ask for something outside of the rules or perimeters, the system lets you know.

Sorry, just rambling at this point. But there is a much better way.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

teapot57 wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:36 am After logging out and signing back in a couple of times, I was able to submit. So keep trying, Paul.

I wish the NPS would research an update to their back country permitting system. Parks Canada’s system is excellent. On opening day, traffic gets routed into waiting rooms so the system does not crash. You actually book your permit yourself online and have your permit right away if your campsites are available- no submitting an app and waiting weeks for a ranger review. And there is a cancellation option where you actually get a refund. Not a total refund, but enough to encourage you to cancel out online to free up spots for others to book.

A system like this would avoid groups submitting multiple permits for the same route, and there would be no waiting for ranger review. You can look at the website and see what campsites are open at any time, and book the permit yourself. If you ask for something outside of the rules or perimeters, the system lets you know.

Sorry, just rambling at this point. But there is a much better way.
I'm still have the issue. Many attempt of logging in, etc I think it maybe a timezone issue.
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

Finally was able to get around the issue. had to keep on switching from submitted to saved forms. Not a very good web app in my opinion.
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by PeteE »

teapot57 wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:31 am Here’s what I’m getting:

Error
FORM_SCHEDULE_TIME_CONSTRAINT_PARSING_ERROR
I had the same problem at just after midnight. Finally, all of a sudden at about 1AM, the forms popped up and I was able to submit my request.
I tried again this morning to submit another request and got that same message you got Tina.
The system truly sucks.
paul wrote:Finally was able to get around the issue. had to keep on switching from submitted to saved forms. Not a very good web app in my opinion.
"not a very good web app" is putting it politely Paul. 8)

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by PeteE »

teapot57 wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:36 am Sorry, just rambling at this point. But there is a much better way.
Well Tina, does this explain why I have nothing but LOATHING for our bureaucratic, inefficient BIG BROTHER government?
8)

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

It adds fuel to the fire I’m sure, Pete!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by kangiek »

I had the same error. I called the pay.gov folks. They suggested trying a different browser, and clearing your cache. Firefox did not work for me, but IE did. Good luck all!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by PeteE »

kangiek wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:20 pm I had the same error. I called the pay.gov folks. They suggested trying a different browser, and clearing your cache. Firefox did not work for me, but IE did. Good luck all!
Welcome to the chat! :)
I think that's what I did last night. I was using Firefox initially...and I think I then switched to Chrome and got in straight away.
It was 1AM and I was frustrated and tired so I don't remember exactly 8)

I just submitted another itinerary and got in right away on Chrome.

I have submitted 5 itineraries.
If these choices look kinda "hokey", it's because I'm going to be doing photography and I'd rather not move around too much if possible.
e.g. Brown Pass isn't too exciting but a lot easier to get than HOL. I'll just day hike over to HOL or wherever on my free day.
Same deal for GUN and ATL

Atlantic Creek for 3 nights in 2nd week of July(Day trips to Triple Divide Pass and maybe Triple Divide Peak.)
BOW-->BRO-->BRO-->BOW in mid/late July
Gunsight Lake for 3 nights in late July (Day trips to Jackson/Blackfoot Glacier and or over to Lake Ellen Wilson)
BOW-->BRO-->BRO-->BOW again in mid August if the July itinerary doesn't work
KIN-->UPK--> BOU-->KIN in mid August

Now it's wait to see what, if anything, I get.
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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