Adopt-a-Crag at the Gunks; opinions?

Post by **camhead** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:09 pm

Ok, so I think it would be interesting to get a RRG perspective on this.

http://www.rockclimbing.com/cgi-bin/for ... st=2239245

There is going to be an adopt-a-crag event at the Gunks in a week or so at Skytop. For those of you who don't know, Skytop is privately owned by a luxury lodge. No climbing is allowed, unless you stay at the lodge and hire their guides; I don't know the details, but we're talking many hundreds of dollars to go do historic and classic routes like "Foops" and "Supercrack." The closure of Skytop to the general public has long been a sore spot for Gunks climbers.

Given that Torrent occasionally lets people climb after trail days and such, I saw this announcement, and thought "sweet, I can go clean up for a day, do some good deeds, and then climb at Skytop!" Uh uh. Climbing access has nothing to do with this.

So, am I an asshole for thinking that this is incredibly stupid? That climbers are being asked to donate their time to go clean up a PRIVATE, CLOSED, area, that has paid ground crew and tightly regulated guiding concessions? I don't get it. There are plenty of other places that need work, and where climbers can selfishly enjoy the benefits of their own charity.

Or maybe I'm just being selfish. End of rant.

Post by **lena_chita** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:15 pm

What can you exect from New-Yorkers? I wonder who is organizing this, and what sort of special arrangement they got with Mohonk Preserve?

Of all the places to hold an adopt-the-crag event, it seems really weird to pick a closed PRIVATE area where there should be clean-up and maintenance done by some sort of staff, anyway-- and not even open it up for one day to people who participate in clean-up.

So... no, you won't convince me to drive to the Gunks for THIS! Uh-oh!

Post by **michaelarmand** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:01 pm

The gunks situation is just sad. Fight to park, pay to climb, then wait in line. All the money that is collected to climb there - I wonder why they haven't bought sky top.

Post by **_Rasputin** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:36 pm

I climbed at Skytop 1.5 years ago and I'm not sure why they need a trail day, the place is immaculent and the Mohonk House keeps the trails in very good condition. No way would I volunteer without at least the privelege of getting to climb there for the day.

Post by **Bruisebrother** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:18 am

Lil Cheeta, you ever been to the Gunks? Got a problem with all N.Y.ers or just the ones from the concrete jungle!

Post by **camhead** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:30 am

I can say that Lena has been to the Gunks a couple times. We make the trip out there when we need a break from the RRG. Then we get sick of all New Yorkers and come back.

Post by **lena_chita** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:30 pm

Bruisebrother wrote:Lil Cheeta, you ever been to the Gunks? Got a problem with all N.Y.ers or just the ones from the concrete jungle!

Yes to the first one.

And I only have a problem with the ones that are too uptight to recognize a joke.