I know Inyo NF asks groups to submit just one application per group, but I cannot imagine how they can enforce it. For example, if Ernie and Bert want to hike Mt. Whitney and both apply for a 2-person permit without identifying the other as an alternate group leader, how would Inyo NF possibly know the two applications were for the same group? I suppose if Ernie and Bert had the exact same 15 alternate dates and applied on the same day, that might be a hint. But Ernie and Bert can mix up there date choices a bit and apply a week apart from each other. I just cannot see how Inyo NF could possibly know they are the same group. Same holds true for larger groups as long as no name is used twice as applicant or alternate leader. Right? What am I missing?
Maybe a couple might get caught if they use the same mailing address or phone number.
And if Ernie and Bert got caught submitting 2 applications, it's not clear to me what the consequence is. Are both applications deleted, or just one?
The only loop-hole I can see with this approach is the Group leader on Application 1 gets eliminated. The scenario I have in mind is as follows:
1. Person 1 submits application for a total of 7 hikers.
2. Person 2 submits a second application also for a total of 7 hikers. The second application includes Person 1, although he isn't explicitly named in the application.
3. Inyo processes both the requests (doesn't eliminate any).
4. Application 2 gets lucky and accepted and Application 1 doesn't make it.
5. At this point, I am assuming all the names have to be provided to Inyo NF and now Inyo might notice that Person 1 appears on 2 applications.
So Person 1 is at risk here and I am not sure how Inyo NF will react to such a situation.
Any experiences here? My guess is the Inyo Folks won't have the bandwidth to dig so deep, but I have no idea what the outcome might be here.
