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Nude Utah hiker faces indecent-exposure charge

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indecent exposure | 5:24 p.m. May 7, 2008
I'm thinking some of those making comments have inadvertently exposed their no-nonsense of humor.

It is a fresh-aire relief to have an enjoyable, lighthearted exchange of puns and silly innuendo on these boards for a change.
DirtyGirl | 5:34 p.m. May 7, 2008
It's possible for the naked body to be dirty. I get kind of dirty when I go hiking and I wear clothing. I do have to admit that I fall down and get scratched up alot so the clothing is more for protection than for societal concerns. If my children saw me or anyone over 10 hiking naked they would think they had been scarred for life. I would laugh. It just isn't that interesting when I can look around at all the greater creations of God in the wilderness.
Granny big toe | 5:34 p.m. May 7, 2008
Well, in all Gods creations--why I never!
Comments continue below
as intended | 5:38 p.m. May 7, 2008
I have yet to see a baby born with a crocheted cozy covering its wee bits keeping them all private. Seems to me brains and guts are the only truly "private" parts - as intended by nature, yet we dearly cherish the right to expose what's rattling around in our heads with or without thought.

lol Sorry just cracked myself up with this: When you come to think of it, obese nudity is actually rather modest as a bigger belly descends to hide the bits.
WOW! what next? | 5:49 p.m. May 7, 2008
Why on earth would any 62 year old man want to expose his wrinkled body parts to all the sweet innocent animals of the forest? I'm certain those animals went into hiding immediately upon discovering this character in their forest, and were probably just as appalled at this man running around nude, just as I am.
Is he senile or what?
Anonymous | 5:56 p.m. May 7, 2008
This is actually a form of worship. I do it myself, although I am much more careful than this man was.
something in the water? | 6:05 p.m. May 7, 2008
What is it about Utah that would motivate a person to travel to Sedona, Arizona, take off all his clothes and go around frightening the local wildlife?
Anonymous | 6:17 p.m. May 7, 2008
I'd be worried about sun burn in my nether regions to try this.
Isthere'a Breez | 6:40 p.m. May 7, 2008
Truthfully, who doesn't feel the urge to strip down to nothing, and go for a jog every once in a while? Think about it...if nobody cared about nudity, wouldn't it be refreshing?

Maybe people would take better care of themselves if they knew people would see them naked...then again, maybe not.
This proves the point | 6:45 p.m. May 7, 2008
This man being from Utah proves that polygamy was wrong all along
Anonymous | 6:47 p.m. May 7, 2008
funny ... dirty old man
raise your hand | 6:49 p.m. May 7, 2008
I for one often feel the urge to let all of my skin revel in the sunshine, or a soft Summer breeze, or feel the chill of rain. That's why I'm saving my coins to get a piece of property abutting a national forest. It really would be great, in my opinion, if we were comfortable enough going around the way we come into this world that it would be an option with no one looking askance.
Utah LDS Nudist | 6:54 p.m. May 7, 2008
The law in Utah or Arizona does not prohibit nudity when hiking in nature.
What the law states is that a person is committing a lewd act if the person intentionally exposes the genitalia knowing it will cause affront. Affront meaning offense. In both Utah and Arizona there are nudist organizations.
I know many folks, male and female, myself included that hike regularly in the out doors.
Its not about having some perverted prude that is sexually obsessed that by seeing a person nude all they can associate nudity with is sex.
God himself created the human body, in the scripture he stated that is was "VERY" GOOD. God didn't just create the face and hands, he created all the parts.
People can be sexually aroused by any part of the body, some people find lips extreamly sexy, others find the nose sexy, or the feet. Maybe we should all wear burka's.

Anonymous | 6:59 p.m. May 7, 2008
Sad to see so many people who disregard "your body is a temple" and lower it to something dirty and disgusting.
Hormone Imbalance | 7:03 p.m. May 7, 2008
To Anonymous, 5:56

Good heavens!
I was raised to be modest, so why would anyone want to run around in the nude? This 61 year old man was probably a sore eye to behold at his age. However, their are those who seem to think they look better as they grow older. I have yet to see anyone who looks better as they grow older. It just doesn't happen. Of course, I am in my mid-thirties, so I am on my way to the other side of aging, Although, I can honestly say I have never seen anyone grow old that makes me jump up and down. This old man is just a scary old man if you ask me. I have often heard said, that men go through hormone changes at this age just as woman do. Talk about someone needing some hormone therapy-- Whewwwweee!
Utah LDS Nudist | 7:20 p.m. May 7, 2008
There are no laws specifically against hiking nude.
The law in Utah states that a person commits a lewd act if the person shows the genitalia if the person knows it will cause affront. (offense)

The man hiking naked didn't break the law by hiking naked, what he did that was offensive was brag about it to women, probably with the intent to invite them to join with him for sexual purposes.

There are nudist organizations in both Utah and Arizona. The Utah organization has many LDS members who associate with the nude organization, myself being one.

Its not about being seen naked or seeing some one else naked, nor is it about sex, its about enjoying nature in the attire that we were ALL created in, Our skin.

God created our body, from head to toe. not just the parts that are usually seen in public. When he had created his "GREATEST" creation he said it was "VERY" good. He didn't say every thing was good except certain parts that some how society has deemed as dirty, shameful.
Anonymous | 7:37 p.m. May 7, 2008
I am speaking for myself of course, but I get quite tired of the phoney puritanical attitude people from this culture pretend to exhibit.

I'm reminded of Good Ol'Gayle Ruzika, who upon noticing statues of naked men in (of all places) Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, freaked out.

Same with Rodin's "The Kiss" that was once exhibited in Provo.

Sanctimonious BS if you ask me.
to just a thought | 8:04 p.m. May 7, 2008
yes, it was funny! I laughed out loud and my husband came to see what I was laughing at and he laughed too!
to hormone imbalance | 8:07 p.m. May 7, 2008
It's not about thinking that you "look good." Appearance is not the basis of enjoying life clad in your altogether. Actually, I believe nudity may well be modest. It's attitude and deportment.
Scratch | 8:23 p.m. May 7, 2008
Lets hope he has an encounter with poison ivy--where it hurts!
Jennifer | 8:37 p.m. May 7, 2008
Public nudity.
Polygamy.
Speeding.
All illegal I think?
K | 9:07 p.m. May 7, 2008
I think "Scratch" had the best post, by far!
Creepy! | 9:17 p.m. May 7, 2008
To Utah LDS nudist
I hope you are only two years old or something? I could accept a small child that is nude at an early age. Kids like do those kind of things in the summer, especially sweet babies who like to de-diaper themselves to stay cool, because it is too hot. Much different for a little tot then that of an old man who exposes himself.... TOO CREEPY!!
Andy | 9:34 p.m. May 7, 2008
Isn't this classic Mormon myopia and ethnocentrism? A commenter above wrote: "I was raised to be modest, so why would anyone want to run around in the nude?"

So, because YOU were raised to be "modest" EVERYONE believes the same way as you and therefore nobody would want to run around nude??

I am constantly amazed as the infantile level of reasoning displayed by LDS prudes. Obviously, claims that belief in LDS doctrines does NOT cause superstitious thinking, irrationality, or poor mental health are WRONG!
Hormone Imbalance | 11:19 p.m. May 7, 2008
To- Mr ANDY

Well, for your information, Andy, I was raised Catholic. You have passed judgment on me and accused me of being Mormon. Some Catholics have morales just as some Mormons do. And, yes, I am extremely modest. I was raised that way and it doesn't bother me even a bit. I am sorry you are bothered and offended by decency.
The 61 Year old man is disgraceful and should be ashamed of himself. I understand he exposed himself to a couple of young woman.

As people grow older sometime their bodies are not exactly a grand thing to look at nor observe. We will all in time grow old and wrinkled but hopefully remain modest.
Giggle a minute | 12:03 a.m. May 8, 2008
Thank you all for making my evening. The hiker's antics were funny to begin with, but you people are a hoot. I vote for everyone having a naked day.
Utah LDS nudist | 12:11 a.m. May 8, 2008
Just exactly who is the pervert:
Many of you have used the term pervert to describe a person who happens to believe that nudity is not a crime.
You people are the real perverts. When you hear the word naked man or naked woman, you automatically think sexual thoughts, or you say the reproductive parts of the body are shameful or dirty. Or you are simply offended by some thing you don't even understand.
You are quick to condemn a person because he has a different lifestyle than you do. You are not only a pervert but you are also prejudice.
All you perverted hypocrites should search your own soul, and get your mind out of the gutter. If you are afraid of skin and body parts, maybe we should all wear burka's.
As for the man caught hiking nude, his real perversion was that he was talking to women, apparently trying to entice them to join him which cast suspicion that he had more motive than just simple nude hiking, if all he wanted was hiking companions men would have been fine, gender wouldn't have mattered.
Utah LDS nudist | 12:31 a.m. May 8, 2008
Get educated before you state your opinion about some thing you know nothing about, and run the risk of showing your stupidity.

look up the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR NUDE RECREATION or THE NATURIST SOCIETY

Think about it: Among Nudists...
The divorce rate is less than 10%
Teen pregnancy is less than 1%
Rape is less than 1%
Murder is unheard of among nudists.
The life span is approximatly 15 years longer.

Among Non Nudists...
Divorce rate is nearly 50%
Teen pregnancy is around 30%
Rape is around 25%
Pornography, 25% are considered addicted.
Some one some where is getting murdered right now as you read this by some one who is wearing clothes.

You should be a lot more concerned what people wearing clothes are going to do to you than nudists.
To Creepy | 12:51 a.m. May 8, 2008
I am a 58 year old man, I go hiking nude regularly, I am careful to go where I am reasonably sure I won't encounter clothed people. I have hiked with male friends and also with mixed gender groups.
Our nudist groups are very careful to go where we won't offend some one, we take a pair of shorts in case we hear or see some one on the trail. Most nudists are environment friendly.
There are over 150 nudist resorts, camps, and beaches in the United States, with several hundred thousand nudists. The nudist industry accounts for over $500 million in revenues every year.
Who knows, your next door neighbor may be a nudist, or even a good friend of yours.

We don't just run the streets naked, we are very respectful of our textile neighbors, I can't say that about you judging from your comment to me.
JJ | 1:27 a.m. May 8, 2008
I CONFESS--I GO AROUND IN THE NUDE---WHEN I GO SEE MY WIFE--WHO LIVES IN A VERY HOT COUNTRY. I KEEP THE NUDITY IN THE HOUSE... MY WIFE DOES NOT MIND...
AND THIS ALSO MEANS I GET TO HAVE HER TO MYSELF MORE... AND DO NOT HAVE TO INTERTAIN HER FRIENDS...
SO THERE ARE SOME BLESSINGS TO NUDITY... BUT IT SHOULD BE ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY... AND NOT IN FRONT OF CHILDREN...
JJ
NakedLady(under my clothes) | 5:23 a.m. May 8, 2008
Ha ha ha. I love this story. What's sad and serious is the shame people attach to their nude bodies- and those of others. Sadder still: they pass these attitudes on to their children.
Ron | 5:39 a.m. May 8, 2008
Get over all your prudishness. A naked baby, a naked man, a naked woman. It's all God's creation, enjoy it. I'm sure she/he does!
Indy | 6:23 a.m. May 8, 2008
I'm LDS and this is the funniest thing I've seen in the news today! Smile, shake the man's hand and continue on your way. My children would have thought it funny too.
Why not? | 6:49 a.m. May 8, 2008
What's this world coming to if we can't walk around in the woods naked?
STOP!! | 6:56 a.m. May 8, 2008
Only a precious few of you think before you write.

It's probably the same when you talk.

We're talking about a LAW HAVING BEEN BROKEN here. Not someone's opinion on body types.

Plain and simple.

Please learn to read, think and then reply appropriately.

Sharon
Dale | 7:32 a.m. May 8, 2008
Yes, God created man and woman naked but soon said, "It's time to get dressed," and they did.
Froggy | 7:50 a.m. May 8, 2008
"We need to teach our children that they should be extremely ashamed of their bodies and react with horror if they see any nudity"

Sorry Prude, but teaching our kids to be ashamed of their bodies is NOT healthy. They need to be proud of their bodies, but taught to respect them, and not show them off to everyone. But I do agree with the "react with horror" part....nudity is not a good thing, it's demoralizing our society. No kid or adult should have to see someone else naked because they want to show off.
Naked Truth | 7:58 a.m. May 8, 2008
All we need are the bare facts to get to the bottom of this story.
cari | 7:59 a.m. May 8, 2008
If I thought I had the body to hike naked then I might consider it. Though right now is not the time for me. I think I'll exersise some more, get looking better and then we'll see!!!
bartonjabber | 8:04 a.m. May 8, 2008
My husband and I were hiking Zion narrows in 1983 and a nude male hiker was enjoying the day with the other hundreds of us in the canyon. There were families galore and most of them were ducking for cover with their kids in the crevices and admiring the sky. The hiker stopped and spoke to my husband and I. He figured the Rangers wouldn't care for his unattire - but he liked the freedom. His hiking boots were well worn and his skin was well tanned. Leathery. My life hasn't been scarred. I don't think it made any news. My husband and I still smile and laugh about the incident. LIFE GOES ON!
I AM glad it is against the law... and some people just don't care. He knew people were pointing and gawking. He didn't care, either. It wasn't a HUGE deal. It happened. We went past it. A lot you seem struggle with moving forward... I feel sorry for you.
To "stop!!" | 8:15 a.m. May 8, 2008
There are silly laws. There are too many laws. You would probably be surprised how many we are in violation of every day and thank goodness they aren't enforced. In my opinion we would be well-served for every fourth year of legislative action to be a review and rescinding of inane, arcane, insane laws.

My take on this is the gentleman was taking a hike. The women crossed his path. Attempting to diffuse an awkward situtation, he courteously offered to take their picture. They were startled and probably concerned that he didn't appear to have sufficient sunburn protection and reported his activities. He was apparently chagrined as he was avoiding further contact by time officers investigated. Others reported his behavior as hiding rather than flaunting. I'm glad he apparently made it home safely.

Please think. Whether a law was broken is a matter of opinion and the actual behavior the gentleman exhibited. The spirit of the law is always mightier than the letter of the law until some see fit to use the letter to be picayune.
comfortable | 8:23 a.m. May 8, 2008
I thought God helped man and woman feel comfortable after sneaking around. I've never understood the scenario to be that it was God's idea they get covered up. I thought the clothes were symbolic of their attempt to hide the truth of their behavior.
Uncle Fred | 8:34 a.m. May 8, 2008
Sick. If God had meant for man to run around naked we would have been born that way....

If a tree falls. . . | 8:35 a.m. May 8, 2008
heheheh. Interesting comments. Talk about revealing.
I'm precious | 8:43 a.m. May 8, 2008
and I still don't think the way you do. Please don't judge the occurrence of my thought processes by whether or not they yield something with which you would agree.

The man wasn't walking through downtown or even in the suburbs. Other people saw him and it doesn't appear there was a rush to report lewd behavior.
re: naked truth | 8:50 a.m. May 8, 2008
amen and thanks for the grin
california naturalist | 8:51 a.m. May 8, 2008
If God wanted us to go naked, we would have been born naked...
Reasons not to hike nude. | 8:59 a.m. May 8, 2008
Cactus, prickley pears, sagebrush, cedar trees, flies,nats, mosquitoes,sunburn,ticks, sharp sticks,bees,being 61, oh and all that other stuff about being decent.
Barbara | 9:05 a.m. May 8, 2008
Maybe some of you want to show off your hairy, naked bodies because being naked makes you feel good, but I don't want to see any of you, and I don't want to even run into you while I'm in the woods, meaning I do have training to kick box you up one mountain and down the next.... SO DON'T MESS!!!
Nudity can lead to enlightenment | 9:09 a.m. May 8, 2008
For all those people who are shocked or offended by the idea of running into a naked person, I'd encourage you to take off your clothes and try being nude for just a little while.
I used to be ashamed of the human body, especially my own. I thought that the hair, the curves in all the "wrong" places, my lack of perfection meant that I was a failure.
Then...I met a nudist. He was a wonderful man and we had a great time together...clothed and otherwise. He took me to some clothing optional hot springs. The scenery at some of these places was amazing. I started looking at the other people who shed their clothes and realized that real bodies have wrinkles, fat, curves and scars...and that all of these things are beautiful when they are worn with confidence. I learned that my body, as flawed as it is, is a remarkable and beautiful creation. I hope all of you who are passing judgment on this fellow will give nudity a try. If you need support, there are some great local resources.

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