Fixed Anchors in Wilderness to be Addressed by ... - Access Fund
Fixed Anchors in Wilderness to be Addressed by ... - Access Fund
Fixed Anchors in Wilderness to be Addressed by ... - Access Fund
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John Heisel<br />
The National Park Service has concerns about<br />
<strong>in</strong>creased impact at Grandmother Mounta<strong>in</strong>, NC.<br />
address many issues at climb<strong>in</strong>g areas<br />
utilized <strong>by</strong> camps and schools <strong>in</strong> the Pisgah<br />
National Forest of Western North Carol<strong>in</strong>a.<br />
The group’s mission is <strong>to</strong> “Protect the future<br />
of climb<strong>in</strong>g areas <strong>in</strong> the Pisgah Ranger<br />
District <strong>by</strong> address<strong>in</strong>g issues fac<strong>in</strong>g commercial<br />
climb<strong>in</strong>g such as group impact, m<strong>in</strong>imiz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the impact large groups have on climb<strong>in</strong>g<br />
areas, provid<strong>in</strong>g trail work, and promot<strong>in</strong>g<br />
safe climb<strong>in</strong>g practices.<br />
Representatives of camps, schools, outfitters,<br />
guides, and the USFS met <strong>in</strong> Oc<strong>to</strong><strong>be</strong>r<br />
and agreed the group would <strong>in</strong>clude a wide<br />
representation of clim<strong>be</strong>r <strong>in</strong>terests and discuss<br />
climb<strong>in</strong>g issues <strong>in</strong> the Pisgah Range<br />
District of the Pisgah National Forest.<br />
Grandfather Mounta<strong>in</strong> Corridor, NC<br />
Representatives from the Blue Ridge<br />
Parkway, Boone Clim<strong>be</strong>rs Coalition, Carol<strong>in</strong>a<br />
Clim<strong>be</strong>rs Coalition, and the <strong>Access</strong> <strong>Fund</strong> met<br />
on Novem<strong>be</strong>r 15 <strong>to</strong> discuss issues surround<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the “Grandfather Corridor.” This area<br />
<strong>in</strong>cludes Shiprock, the Grandmother<br />
Boulders, Ch<strong>in</strong>a Orchard/Blow<strong>in</strong>g Rock<br />
Boulders, and the Holloway Mounta<strong>in</strong><br />
climb<strong>in</strong>g areas.<br />
NPS natural resources personnel expressed<br />
concerns about the follow<strong>in</strong>g areas:<br />
•SHIPROCK - NPS is concerned about the<br />
area’s fragile ecosystem. Protect<strong>in</strong>g ecological<br />
values is crucial <strong>to</strong> keep<strong>in</strong>g this area open.<br />
The NPS supports the judicious use of fixed<br />
anchors <strong>be</strong>cause they will m<strong>in</strong>imize impact<br />
on <strong>to</strong>p of the cliff. A fixed anchor review<br />
committee may <strong>be</strong> created. The NPS has<br />
requested that until the fixed anchor <strong>to</strong>pic is<br />
further explored, clim<strong>be</strong>rs refra<strong>in</strong> from<br />
replac<strong>in</strong>g or plac<strong>in</strong>g any bolts.<br />
•GRANDMOTHER – A nationally known<br />
boulder<strong>in</strong>g area. Environmental Impact and<br />
preservation are the ma<strong>in</strong> NPS concerns here.<br />
The majority of the boulders <strong>in</strong> this area are<br />
located <strong>in</strong> a Spruce/Fir forest, which is<br />
unique <strong>to</strong> the southern Appalachians.<br />
6 / v e r t i c a l t i m e s<br />
•HOLLOWAY MTN – Popular with groups for<br />
<strong>to</strong>p rop<strong>in</strong>g. Currently the public and two<br />
permitted groups use this site. This site will<br />
most likely receive <strong>to</strong>p rope anchors. The<br />
trees and cliff <strong>to</strong>p environment show signs of<br />
heavy use.<br />
•BLOWING ROCK /CHINA ORCHARD - This<br />
is one of the most popular boulder<strong>in</strong>g areas<br />
close <strong>to</strong> Boone. Clos<strong>in</strong>g areas for res<strong>to</strong>ration<br />
was mentioned.<br />
Additional concerns <strong>in</strong>cluded trampl<strong>in</strong>g at<br />
stag<strong>in</strong>g areas, park<strong>in</strong>g, and <strong>in</strong>creased climb<strong>in</strong>g<br />
use <strong>in</strong> the future. NPS personnel also discouraged<br />
the creation of new access trails.<br />
The NC climb<strong>in</strong>g community is committed<br />
<strong>to</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g collaboratively with the NPS.<br />
Rather than develop<strong>in</strong>g a climb<strong>in</strong>g management<br />
plan for the area, the NPS will identify<br />
a num<strong>be</strong>r of management alternatives <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong><br />
addressed at a future public meet<strong>in</strong>g. For<br />
more <strong>in</strong>formation on the Grandfather<br />
Corridor, contact Biff Farrell<br />
(farrellw@am.appstate.edu) or Mike Trew<br />
(trew2@boone.net), Co-Chairs of the Boone<br />
Clim<strong>be</strong>rs Coalition.<br />
Boat Rock, Georgia<br />
A 7.7 acre parcel filled with boulders is for<br />
sale <strong>in</strong> Atlanta, GA. The Southeastern<br />
Clim<strong>be</strong>rs Coalition is <strong>in</strong> the process of buy<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the area with the help of several concerned<br />
local clim<strong>be</strong>rs, The <strong>Access</strong> <strong>Fund</strong> and the Trust<br />
for Public Land. The price is $100,000 and is<br />
located adjacent <strong>to</strong> a 220-acre parcel that is<br />
currently slated for development. This area<br />
will <strong>be</strong> turned <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a subdivision if not purchased<br />
soon. Check the SEC website for<br />
more <strong>in</strong>formation at www.seclim<strong>be</strong>rs.org.<br />
Boulder<strong>in</strong>g at Boat Rock <strong>in</strong> Atlanta, Georgia is<br />
threatened <strong>by</strong> development.<br />
Mike Williams
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