Bulldozers vs Bolts
We live with our history everyday. To be politically active we cannot ignore the past.
It is my understanding that Wilson Francis is a nice enough individual. There was a time when Wilson was more aligned and part of the climbing community. This fell to the wayside somewhere along the way. For over 20 years he was the park naturalist. Today he is the Park Manager. As acting ‘land manager” he now deals with broader issues requiring maintaining a balance with “recreation use” and “preservation”. I wonder if he struggles with his previous passion?
Try not to crucify this man for his passion, for we all are entitled to them. And to some degree he still holds the keys to reopening Pocket Wall.
I wonder: if those individuals swimming in the concrete pool, or golfing, or riding the sky lift, or dancing, or living out of their RVs... If they or their children wanted to climb in a designated area in Natural Bridge would the State develop this area?
And would we of the climbing community welcome these individuals to the cliff line? I understand some of you might have to put cloth on.
(Oh shit, just kidding, couldn’t resist. Lets not fan that fire).
Would we construe this area as too...(whatever)... and move to another crag. Would the State Park want us there?
It is my understanding that Wilson Francis is a nice enough individual. There was a time when Wilson was more aligned and part of the climbing community. This fell to the wayside somewhere along the way. For over 20 years he was the park naturalist. Today he is the Park Manager. As acting ‘land manager” he now deals with broader issues requiring maintaining a balance with “recreation use” and “preservation”. I wonder if he struggles with his previous passion?
Try not to crucify this man for his passion, for we all are entitled to them. And to some degree he still holds the keys to reopening Pocket Wall.
I wonder: if those individuals swimming in the concrete pool, or golfing, or riding the sky lift, or dancing, or living out of their RVs... If they or their children wanted to climb in a designated area in Natural Bridge would the State develop this area?
And would we of the climbing community welcome these individuals to the cliff line? I understand some of you might have to put cloth on.
(Oh shit, just kidding, couldn’t resist. Lets not fan that fire).
Would we construe this area as too...(whatever)... and move to another crag. Would the State Park want us there?
I was a bit flabbergasted reading the Sierra Club piece. The mix of factual inaccuracies and general cluelessness was stunning.
Gosh, I can't believe how awful those damn 'bolt climbers' are on blank, overhanging walls moving from downturned pocket to downturned pocket destroying plants with every move. Not like those nice trad climbers with thier 'natural handholds' and obviously avoiding all the plants, because they don't use ledges! You know, demand for climbing resources is increasing, so we should really try to concentrate that activity as much as possible. It would be awful if lots and lots of routes were approved, and all those climbers were dispersed over a much wider area. Damn those climbers for being organized in lockstep and getting everything they want!
Gosh, I can't believe how awful those damn 'bolt climbers' are on blank, overhanging walls moving from downturned pocket to downturned pocket destroying plants with every move. Not like those nice trad climbers with thier 'natural handholds' and obviously avoiding all the plants, because they don't use ledges! You know, demand for climbing resources is increasing, so we should really try to concentrate that activity as much as possible. It would be awful if lots and lots of routes were approved, and all those climbers were dispersed over a much wider area. Damn those climbers for being organized in lockstep and getting everything they want!
, and you can substitute vegetable broth.)
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captain static
- Posts: 2438
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 6:05 pm
The State Parks are managed under the Kentucky Tourism Development Cabinet. The following link is a bio of the Secretary of the Cabinet who reports to the Governor - http://tourism.ky.gov/bio.asp
I would suggest that if you want to get political, start at the top. TrueNorth, you need to establish a relationship with the people in this Cabinet. Apparently, your friend over at Torrent already has because his Climbing Adventure is front and center on the Cabinet's website -
http://tourism.ky.gov/
Bet that the Secretary and the people who work in the Office of the Secretary don't know about the anti-climbing stance of State Park policy or of NBSRP?
Of course in November their is going to be an election for Gov. and a corresponding change in the Cabinet Secretary.
I would suggest that if you want to get political, start at the top. TrueNorth, you need to establish a relationship with the people in this Cabinet. Apparently, your friend over at Torrent already has because his Climbing Adventure is front and center on the Cabinet's website -
http://tourism.ky.gov/
Bet that the Secretary and the people who work in the Office of the Secretary don't know about the anti-climbing stance of State Park policy or of NBSRP?
Of course in November their is going to be an election for Gov. and a corresponding change in the Cabinet Secretary.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
Thanks Captn for pointing out the distiction between the State parks and the Forest Service, although I'm sure many issues overlap. The State Parks are set up for tourism and all the acrutements that go with it. The State investment in upgrades and operations at these facilities is also part of the local economy like it or not. Where else to partake in such a delectable (ack) smorgasboard! I think its healthy to read about what other special interest groups (the Ky Wildflower Society) concerns are, evethough the temptation to belittle and redicule is sometimes overwhelming...lest we forget climbing is also a special interest.
"real life bleeding fingers..."
Hmmmm....
I suspect that if the tourism board that runs the state parks thought of us as 'rich climbers' they might be likely to put some pressure on the park manager to reconsider the closures.
Yes, I know that a lot of climbers are anything but rich. My idea is to spin climbers as rich yuppies who are likely to spend more money on higher-margin tourism facilities than KY parks are currently attracting. (I'm thinking photos of SUVs and lots of shiny gear and people without mullets) Natural Bridge doesn't have the landscape for an 18 hole golf course (thankfully). Perhaps climbing could be sold as a kind of alternative 'golf' to attract $. "Open up some of the park's cliffs, and it will attract climbers and their money to the state park facilities."
After all, what does the park manager loose if he re-opened Pocket Wall?
I suspect that if the tourism board that runs the state parks thought of us as 'rich climbers' they might be likely to put some pressure on the park manager to reconsider the closures.
Yes, I know that a lot of climbers are anything but rich. My idea is to spin climbers as rich yuppies who are likely to spend more money on higher-margin tourism facilities than KY parks are currently attracting. (I'm thinking photos of SUVs and lots of shiny gear and people without mullets) Natural Bridge doesn't have the landscape for an 18 hole golf course (thankfully). Perhaps climbing could be sold as a kind of alternative 'golf' to attract $. "Open up some of the park's cliffs, and it will attract climbers and their money to the state park facilities."
After all, what does the park manager loose if he re-opened Pocket Wall?
Who said that we cannot do 2 things at once?
Together, we could all be working on:
State Land Issues (Pocket Wall) & Private Land Issues (The Murray Property).
Here are some interesting facts:
There are approximately 1170 routes at the Red River Gorge.
372 routes (32%) of all routes are on privately owned land.
Purchasing the Murray Property will completely secure more than 50% of all routes on private property land.
Help: Be sensitive and help us with the purchase. Make a donation so that we can keep this land open for climbing.
Just a suggestion...perhaps worth mentioning.
Together, we could all be working on:
State Land Issues (Pocket Wall) & Private Land Issues (The Murray Property).
Here are some interesting facts:
There are approximately 1170 routes at the Red River Gorge.
372 routes (32%) of all routes are on privately owned land.
Purchasing the Murray Property will completely secure more than 50% of all routes on private property land.
Help: Be sensitive and help us with the purchase. Make a donation so that we can keep this land open for climbing.
Just a suggestion...perhaps worth mentioning.
! Enough with all that detestation ALREADY !
Smile & be thankful for what you have.
Smile & be thankful for what you have.