POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF TORRENT FALLS CRAG

[Torrent Falls]

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Mark Meyer. My wife, Kathy, and I own and operate Torrent Falls. This posting is to put a formal notice that Torrent Falls Climbing Crag is up for closure. This is under serious consideration.

I was going to close the crag until I brought the subject up to the RRGCC board members. Fortunately, they had their board meeting at Torrent this past weekend. Upon their recommendation, I am keeping the crag open until the enclosed rules are met. But if these rules are not strictly adhered to, the crag will close on May 1, 2006.

Prior to my dissertation, I would like to personally thank those who worked at trail day this past weekend. I have walked the trail, and the work completed exceeded my expectations. Thank you, thank you. These efforts, conducted by total volunteers, helped delay my actions.

My family lives by a simple rule, treat people as you want to be treated. So if you owned this beautiful piece of property, put yourself in my shoes. We are a “For Profit” business. This land was not free, the labor put into this land was not free, the parking area was not free, and tools used to develop this property were not free. I do not understand where climbers get off that “Climbing should be Free”. Before anyone says anything, how much donations have you put into the box? Then compare it with my costs. I am talking about what it costs me to allow climbers to climb on my property and the aggravation it continues to cause my family. Think about all these dogs coming onto a property that you owned disturbing your guests and defecating in your yard. Then think about all these climbers coming onto your property pissing in your and defecating in your yard. Think about all the wear and tear on your trails. Think about people coming onto your property and moving your chairs around without permission or putting them back. Think about people parking in spots that are reserved for your guests. Think about all the foul language disturbing your family and your guests by a bunch of inconsiderate, immature, little babies in an adult body. Yes, I am illustrating my frustration. But this is not the first time; these issues have been brought up. It is a privilege to climb here. Remember, this property used to be closed to climbing. This is private land and it has reached a point that enough is enough. I do not make money for the aggravation. It would be cheaper for me to close climbing. I do not need the aggravation and policing. Again, think about Torrent as if you owned it and operated a family run business from it. By letting climber’s climb here, I am demonstrating that I am really a nice guy.

With that preface, and a show of my frustration, these following rules shall be applied, or the crag will be closed by May 1, 2006. And if that day passes, and climbing is still allowed, if it gets out of hand again, climbing will be closed with no grace period. Climbing will remain open for cabin/room guests.

1. All pets must be on leashes, at all times that they are on the property. We have had a terrible time with dogs visiting our home, our guest’s cottages, and guest’s vehicles UNIVITED. Leash them or leave them at home.

Carry a bag with you and clean up after your pet.

Any dog or pet that has been known to fight or bite another pet must be muzzled. No exceptions.

Any dog or pet that has been known to bite a human being shall not be permitted at Torrent Falls. If a dog or pet bites and individual, that pet will be destroyed immediately. You can consider this a formal notice.

2. Do not release bodily fluids or defecate on Torrent grounds except in public bathrooms located at the BBQ. If donations pick up, a portable toilet will be supplied at Torrent Falls. I have seen on more than one occasion, climbers pissing in my front parking lot. I do not go to your home and piss in your front yard. How would you like it if all my friends and myself came to your back yard and defecated? Over time, it adds up.

On a side note, realize that the public restrooms are not free. It cost material and labor to build it. There are permit costs. Then there is the expense in maintaining, cleaning, and supplies. City water is not free. Sewage treatment is not free (installation was over $55,000). All we ask is to donate $2.00 per climber.

3. Do not ask to use the rest room at the B&B or main house. Think of it as if it were your home. Total strangers coming up to your home, muddy, sweaty, and asking “Can I use your rest room?”

4. Do not move the chairs from around the fire pit. These are for paying B&B guests.

5. No fires.

6. Do not use ropes or routes designated for Torrent Falls use. These are clearly marked and are for guided climbing and rappelling.

7. Park at the bottom parking lot and do not block parking designated for cabin use only. These parking spots are for paying customers.

8. Do not park in the paved parking lot at the Torrent Church.

9. A donation of $2.00 per person is strongly recommended.

10. Do not litter. This has become a real problem with climbers lately and it never used to be.

11. No foul language. My family and guests are sick and tired of the foul language being used on this property. It reminds me of why I closed rappelling. Rappelling has remained permanently closed. This is truly insulting public behavior. Buy your own crag and cuss all you want to. Do not trespass your potty mouth onto my family that lives here. You could consider continuing this behavior (or lack of self control) and disclose to the world how you want people to think of the climbing community. I will close the crag on this issue alone or the dog issue alone.

12. Be considerate to the owners of the property and it’s guests. Treat people, as you want to be treated. Do you want a friendly greeting or do you want to be ignored, abused, pissed on, and trespassed on? Remember, it is a privilege to climb on someone’s private property.

13. No rappelling with the exception of finishing a climbing route.

14. No night climbing.

15. Climbing ends at dusk. Climbers should be off the crag by dark.

16. No parking your car here and leaving the crag. You park here, you climb here. The parking lot is too small for a depository.

17. Use existing trails. It costs a great deal to put these trails in.

I am sorry that it has come to this. But with the increase in traffic to the area, something needs to be done. There may be additions to this policy as time moves on. I have a Kiosk at Torrent. Changes will be posted there.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Mark Meyer
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[anticlmber]

THIS IS NOT A TEST I support mark 110% as a freind of the family i have heard these problems, seen these problems, and dealt with these problems first hand. these are the rules bitches. not the exceptions. most of the folks up there climbing are doing right. a few people are going to ruin this. it is up to US as a COMMUNITY to police ourselves. What if the Webbers closed muir because of y'alls bullshit. good dog or bad dog the RUlE is leashes all the time. My dogs dead i shouldnt have to deal with yours. Follow the rules let others know and step up and tell others who are jepordizing your climbing. here and everywhere. Thank you for your support. we now return you to your regularly scheduled drama.

[SikMonkey]

Well, I know that I am guilty of an expletive every now and then while climbing, but I love climbing at Torrent and am willing to do what it takes to help keep it open (...before anyone says anything, I am afraid a ball gag would impede my breathing while on route). Not only am I going to begin carefully monitoring my language, I am going to fine myself $1 for every swear word which comes out of my mouth while at Torrent (on top of my donation) and anyone climbing with me can help me count and hold me accountable. I figure at $1/curse word, I can fund the public toilets myself.

Mj

[flashmaster]

Thank You Mark, I'm behind you 100% as well, I'll do my part to help everyone do their part. Again thanks for giving us all a second chance!
Peter

[tomdarch]

Mark - thank you for, first, for allowing us to climb on your property with all the costs and hassles that go with that, and, second, for both reconsidering closing climbing and taking the effort and time to communicate with us here.

[tcu]

Everyone should support this 100%. Dogs at the crags are becoming a nuisance everywhere, I love dogs but do they really need to be at the crag? And the litter......some people are such pigs!

[pigsteak]

Mark,

We need permission to post this at Miguel's and on your kiosk. A very small percentage of the Red climbers get on here, and will ever read this. For those of us who do read it, may we abide by your wishes, or climb elsewhere. Thank you for your hospitality in the past, and for the great food.

Kipp

[Yasmeen]

Mark - thank you for, first, for allowing us to climb on your property with all the costs and hassles that go with that, and, second, for both reconsidering closing climbing and taking the effort and time to communicate with us here.

I was going to try to phrase it better, but couldn't. We owe you many thanks, Mark. I have really enjoyed getting to talk with you and your family over the past couple of years; and the other weekend, the group I was with and I met a really cool family down for a weekend of hiking whom we wouldn't have met at another crag. Thank you for allowing us to climb at a stellar, very accessible crag; however, I completely understand if your frustration forces you to disallow climbing on your property. I hope that we can all step up and meet your expectations so that it doesn't come to that.

[Andrew]

This is a sad day, but I am not suprised. If it were me I think I would just close it, which goes to show how nice Mark and his family are. The crappy part of this whole situation is that the majority of people that are doing this probably don't frequent the site, or know much about the situation. I know I don't climb at the red much anymore, but lets get our act together. I will make sure to add a few extra dollars and politely ask people to do their part if they are not, next time I am there.

[Paul3eb]

i've forwarded it on to miami university (a lot of gumbies head down from there). if i get the time, i'll try to make a pdf of it and maybe we can send it out to some of the local gyms..?

thanks again mark. if you had come on today and told us you were closing it as of now, i'd still support you on it. the fact that you didn't is a testiment to your generosity..