A Vancouver-based group of travellers is back online after nearly two months of silence prompted by internet backlash.
The group of men travels the world making videos of their trips online, under the name "High on Life SundayFundayz." But in May, the group made headlines when photos of them walking through a protected, delicate ecosystem in the U.S. went viral.
The foursome was called out online for walking through the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, and lost much of their corporate sponsorship as a result.
They also faced fierce criticism on both sides of the border, and opted to issue an apology online and make a donation to the park. After the apology, the group went silent and ceased posting photos and videos.
On Sunday, they broke the silence.
"Sorry for the blackout. We are back now," the men wrote in a post on their Facebook page.
"We had to take some time off to reflect after this last trip across the US… The explosive finish with our mess-up in Yellowstone and the wave of angry Internet hate that followed brought many lessons along with it."
The post said that the men had taken time away from filming, and from each other.
"For a while we almost forgot who we really are in this torrent of blind hatred. But despite it all, we know that we are good people with good intentions," they wrote.
"These folks don't really know us and their hate towards us is a reflection of something else. We won't take it personally and we send them love in return. We are human, we make mistakes, we accept the consequences and we move forward."
In the next two days, they posted two new videos: "Top 10 Reasons to Explore National Parks" and "When White Guys Listen to Indian Music."
Though the men said they're ready to "accept the consequences," they've yet to return to the States where warrants have been issued for their arrest.
Three of the four men were named in a criminal complaint filed by Yellowstone park rangers. They're reportedly also facing charges in two other states, including Utah where they recorded themselves waterskiing off the back of their tour bus on the environmentally-sensitive salt flats.
If convicted, they could face up to six months in jail and $5,000 fines, U.S. media reported.
The men won't face extradition from Canada because of the nature of the misdemeanor charges, but because of the warrants they'll likely be arrested if they cross the border again.
Local media in Wyoming are reporting that the group has hired a lawyer, and may face a judge in person or over the phone next month.
