Access problems; are you concerned?
MBartmess
wondered if the participants of this newsgroup are as concerned as I. I
see hundreds of articles on the subject of climbing techniques, equipment,
betas, etc. But I haven’t yet read anything on access problems, which
should be on everyone’s mind. There’s no reason to suspect that the area
YOU climb won’t be targeted for closure next week. Liability, eco-damage,
and general misunderstandings continue to close places to us as climbers.
I am growing increasingly concerned with the access problems occurring
throughout the country. Only a few years ago, climbing was a sport enjoyed
by the few. Not many outside our climbing community had any idea what it
was all about. Rarely did you see anything in the news media about even
major climbing events. Climbing in general went unnoticed. And climbing
was not much of a concern for the Parks Service and organizations like the
US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Now we see increasing numbers of people crowding the better known climbing
areas, climbing appears in many sporty new add campaigns on TV and in
magazines, and climbing-related clothing styles have been spawned. Scary
stuff. But what’s really threatening is that the government and local
management organizations (like USFWS), dealing with the increasing numbers
of climbers, have started to take notice of our activities.
Now, realize that people within the climbing community vary as much as any
segment of the population. So, there are @##holes amongst us who can’t be
bothered to consider their impact on their surroundings. Many “sport’
climbers, for instance, who would rather frequent indoor gyms weren’t
drawn to the sport necessarily because they loved the freedom and lure of
the wilderness areas that always surrounded climbing (although many did
start there). Because of their attraction to the pure athleticism their
“ethics” don’t always seem to coincide with that of the traditionalist.
(Note: I’m not trying to categorize all “sport” enthusiasts; its just an
example).
And so, you and I can visit any of our favorite areas in any of the states
and see damage we know must be caused by climbers. In the back of our
minds we understand the cause of those who make it their profession to
protect the US parks and wilderness areas. But we want to be able to climb
next week and next year and for years to follow.
We’ve got to influence those who control the keys to our climbing areas.
Our numbers, which have caused our activities to become a possible
detriment to our beloved wilderness and parks, must be brought to bear on
our behalf. If you share this concern, let me know your thoughts,
especially if you have specific areas where problems are arising. I plan
to compile the thoughts and notes of those who respond and see that they
are brought to the attention of various agencies and legislative bodies.
CLIFROCK
(MBartmess) writes:
>I am growing increasingly concerned with the access problems occurring
throughout the country.
So join and work with Access Fund or local organizations already in
existence and working on these problems. The Access Fund has, and is,
working actively with the USFS, the BLM, US Parks, state parks, private
land owners and other concerned organizations such as the Wilderness
Society, NOLS, the American Alpine Club, The Sierra Club, National Parks
and Conservation Soc. to "preserve America's Diverse Climbing Resources".
Reinvent the wheel if you like but the Access Fund is an efficient and
effective organization composed of climbers of all abilities, interests
and ages. It deserves your support. Call the office in Boulder,CO to
join, volunteer or enquire. Thanks for the opportunity to promote. Mike
Clifford, Las Vegas
MBartmess
writes:
>So join and work with Access Fund or local organizations already in
>existence and working on these problems. The Access Fund has, and is,
>working actively with the USFS, the BLM, US Parks, state parks, private
>land owners and other concerned organizations such as the Wilderness
>Society, NOLS, the American Alpine Club, The Sierra Club, National Parks
>and Conservation Soc. to "preserve America's Diverse Climbing Resources".
>Reinvent the wheel if you like but the Access Fund is an efficient and
>effective organization composed of climbers of all abilities, interests
>and ages. It deserves your support. Call the office in Boulder,CO to
>join, volunteer or enquire. Thanks for the opportunity to promote.
Mike
>Clifford, Las Vegas
Clifford, I absolutely do support the Acess Fund and wouldn't dream of
"reinventing the wheel." I think that in addition to supporting an
effective lobbying mechanism, I (and you) should express my opinions
directly. I live right in the DC metro area and (trying to not sound like
some kind of name dropper) I work in an environment where I might talk to
Congressional staffers on and off. Now we wouldn't talk about access
problems but through these people I can find ways to get my views to some
useful people.
I don't think the drivers of the Access Fund would fight having ANY
concerned citizen sending their thoughts directly to the "powers that be."
And I think it's a rather weird sentiment to suggest that climbers
shouldn't take this problem to their legislators directly -- as well as
through the Access Fund. Do you realize that there are e-mail addresses
publicly available to send mail to the House, the Senate, the President,
and the Vice President. This same media we in which we now converse can be
your means to voice your opinion.
I don't think you'd hear this suggestion, that we should rely solely on
the Access Fund or local organizations to do OUR job, from the people with
the Access fund who fight these battles. I'm sure they welcome all the
help they can get.
For everyone reading, do as Clifford suggests -- call the Access Fund
TODAY!!! and ALSO write your legislators. Get into the action if you want
to climb in the years to come. They are your parks. You have paid for
them. They are your wilderness areas. I hope you're taking care of them.
Remember, there are no activist organizations without YOU, not even the
Access Fund. That's the point -- it takes you.
Hey, and Clifford, thank you for an opportunity to promote even more.
Kenneth Cline
|>wondered if the participants of this newsgroup are as concerned as I.
Some of the participants of rec.climbing have been very active in
access issues. Climbers from states such as Texas, Utah, Idaho,
Colorado, and California have posted information related to access in
this forum. I am the Access Fund Regional Coordinator for the
Appalachian region.
|>We've got to influence those who control the keys to our climbing areas.
|>Our numbers, which have caused our activities to become a possible
|>detriment to our beloved wilderness and parks, must be brought to bear on
|>our behalf.
Numbers are crucial when it comes to lobbying (this is one reason to
support the Access Fund), but there are other ways to get involved on
a smaller scale through education and responsible climbing. Set an
example for others to follow.
Some of the things you can do include:
o Minimize your impact.
o Show respect for and courtesy to the land owner/manager, others
climbers, and non-climbers who use the area.
o Don't be a statistic (climb safely and encourage others
to do so).
o Participate in cleanup, trail building and similar activities.
o Obey laws, rules and regulations.
o Pick up your trash and that of others.
o Get involved with the Access Fund and local organizations.
Ken
Kenneth Cline
|>Does anyone know if the Access Fund has an e-mail address?
The Access Fund
P.O. Box 17010, Boulder, Colorado 80308-9804
(303)545-6772
Acces...@onenet-bbs.org
The connection seems to be flaky and is not checked as often as you
might like. Let me know if you are having trouble reaching them, and
I will make sure the message gets through.
Ken
benjamin goldman
: I was just reading a couple Rock&Ice articles on access problems and I
Folks, this is a serious problem. I'm from minnesota, and besides the
Gym, there are a few decent places to climb. the problem is that you get
these really large groups (and the small groups of fools) who bring in large
amounts of trash. I'm a newbie, so i probably shouldnt talk, but I have a
problem with all this stuff. Climbing was a natural progression for
me after I got away from over protective parents. they allowed me to
see Kluane, siberia, tha arctic, but they never believed that i needed to climb.
Now I do, and so soes the rest of the world, but I do not k like having to
pick up other peoples garbage. Look at 3 week old beer bottles (I rarely drink)
see wrappers, and other garbage. This is a big problem.
Now, the real problem with us as impacters of the environment goes deeper.
Chalk, Traffic, Etc. All this ruins the rock, the surrounding environment,
nd our image.
Be careful, tread lightly, and climb like you should camp, LOW IMPACT...
thanx
g-...@acs.bu.eud
Scott Steves
|> (MBartmess) writes:
|>
|> >I am growing increasingly concerned with the access problems occurring
|> throughout the country.
|>
|> So join and work with Access Fund or local organizations already in
|> existence and working on these problems. The Access Fund has, and is,
|> working actively with the USFS, the BLM, US Parks, state parks, private
|> Call the office in Boulder,CO to join, volunteer or enquire.
|> Thanks for the opportunity to promote. Mike Clifford, Las Vegas
Does anyone know if the Access Fund has an e-mail address?