Acquiring access

Post by **Corona** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:09 pm

ISO advice from people more experienced in establishing access to crags on private land

All my life, there's been a steep, limestone crag about three minutes away from my home in southern Indiana, and it's always been cordoned off and surrounded by "No Trespassing" signs. However, I recently learned that the barriers have been taken down, and the signs transformed into "For Sale" signs.

However, by the time I learned of it, those signs had been removed as well. So, does anyone have any idea how to:

a) establish who the current owner of the property is and how to contact them

b) establish a relationship with the buyer and open a discussion about access

Of course, different approaches will be required depending on whether the buyer is a farmer or a commercial property developer. I've done this before, but only in New Zealand, where property owners have indemnity. Concerns about liability in case of accident or injury are likely to be the first concern voiced by the buyer (we all know what a legal joke liability waivers are), and I don't know how to respond to this. Suggestions?

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Post by **pawilkes** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:02 pm

that is one of many amazing things about NZ, so people let you climb on their land happily. I miss it so much

Post by **rjackson** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:28 pm

Sounds like you're already on the right track.

In small communities the best way to find out is to just start making friends and asking around. Where's the local center of talk...the DQ for coffee, the gas station, the grocery store? If you are a part of (or new to) the community, people will probably be pretty friendly so long as your questions don't come off like a lawyer looking for a buck (or a hunter looking to take the big one).

If that's not your style, then you'll have to go to the county court house and do some record digging. be sure to have an address (and a lat/long might be helpful).

As far as overall blanket access...good luck. You might be able to talk an owner into letting you check it out, and then see how it goes from there. I'd approach it like asking for permission to hunt or fish on their land. be very politea and be prepared to get shot down, but there's always the chance that they'll be open to it and then they'll see that your not in it to take advantage of anybody.

Good luck.

Post by **Crankmas** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:35 pm

when it cools down some we should kill all the lawyers except Sprag but I think we're gonna have to have a talk with her- maybe she will do Ashley's divorce for me and good luck with the crag access too

Post by **pigsteak** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:03 pm

crank, has anyone told you your posts are incoherent, rambling messes leading to nowhere...maybe that's why I read them all....

Post by **Corona** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:17 pm

Thanks Defender, much appreciated!

We're talking rural enough that the nearest grocery store is 25 miles away, but I think I might be able to find something at the court house, maybe.

I think that, if played right, I could likely get access to go climbing there myself (coupl'a friendly house calls with a couple crates of beer can go a long way,) butccess for the general public seems a lot more daunting.

That's what I'd want, though, otherwise why go to the trouble of developing bolted lines, eh? Especially ones harder than I can climb!

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Post by **john e aragon** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:23 pm

Prepare to be disappointed.The public sees Cliffhanger, Vertical Limit and crap like that and they think that is climbing. It scares the crap out of them and they want no part of it. I have been in your shoes many times. Today I will not even go look at rock unless it is public land. But you might be luck and score some great lines. Good Luck.

Post by **Saxman** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:16 pm

Try a nice fruit basket or homemade cookies.

Post by **Corona** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:41 pm

Cheers, guys! Well, with a crag like this that's shaded, cool, and 3 minutes from your house, ya gotta try, eh?

Post by **Turbo** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:57 pm

I am from southern Indiana as well, and have been woundering what area you have been talking about. After seeing the picture I believe I know exacty where its located. This area was an old rock quarry right off 64, and everytime I've been by there and seen cars parked in the pull off, there has also been a cop car on persuit. Although I have not actually scoped the area on foot, but from the road it always looked very brittle. I never thought the area was owned by an individual, more like the company who mined the rock. Although all my pessimism, I hope your right about the area and it turns out to be a great spot. Good Luck