On Monday, September 30, 2013 4:32:10 AM UTC-7, Tim Hanke wrote:
We had a soaring encampment in Lake Placid, NY. We had a complaint from the Adirondack Park Rangers about a sailplane ridge soaring a particular set of mountains. The Ranger noted that the sailplane was in danger to hikers walking the ridge line. What FAR's allow the sailplane to stay a loft using the ridge as a source of lift? We stopped all ridge flying for now.

It is illegal to fly an aircraft closer than 500 feet from people, places or things, unless while in the act of landing. So, the ranger is probably correct.
JJ