Pocket Wall, will access ever be restored?

Post by **lordjim_2001** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:19 pm

Wicked Tribe wrote: Oh? Tourons are immortal? No. They fall off cliffs pretty often themselves. Though they usually get labelled as climbers.

Word. I just needed a translator

Post by **the lurkist** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:29 pm

With the Fletcher admin in Frankfort, I think now is the time for a concerted effort to occur from local climbing advocacy organizations (read RRGCC). The RRGCC made a good overture with the RRGCC's presentation concerning climbing on state park land to a group of Senators last fall. This occured at Natural Bridge State Park. They gave the RRGCC a very sympathetic hearing with the intent to make changes with in the State Park to bring about changes that would allow climbing to benefit tourism and income. Actually one of the Senators said he wanted to go climbing!
Was any follow up done about this?

Post by **tomdarch** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:53 am

As I understand it, a big part of the problem may be the director of the Natural Bridge State Resort Park itself. If it is still Wilson Francis, then you have quite a roadblock right there. The simplest way to explain the problem is for you to read this:

http://kentucky.sierraclub.org/newslett ... ws1201.asp

The author of this piece (Mr. Francis) either hates climbing so much that he's willing to fundamentally misrepresent (a.k.a. "lie about") climbing or he has some fundamental misunderstandings about climbing. Either way, he views climbing as something harmful.

I'd guess that it is within the power of a park director to allow climbing on part of 'his' park, but this individual isn't likely to do anything but prohibit climbing as much as possible.

Post by **ynot** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:59 am

Doesnt mind tourons carving thier name in world class arches though.....

aaron · Post by **aaron** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 1:02 am

that isn't just art?

Post by **tomdarch** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 1:24 am

ynot wrote:Doesnt mind tourons carving thier name in world class arches though.....

But carved grafitti doesn't impact rare ferns, so it's OK.

Besides, as climbers we all support chipping and cutting down trees that are in the way of climbs, so how could we complain?

Post by **ynot** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 1:28 am

No we dont all support it. We dont condone it at all.but the people that put up some routes dont mind.

Post by **Bruisebrother** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 2:24 am

Lurk, the CAC will be getting to this this spring, hopefully. Tom'd', Wilson is the problem at Natural Bridge. This does need to come from the state level. Also Wilson is very close to retirement so all things are possible!

Post by **tomdarch** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:09 am

It's too bad that Wilson takes such a goofy hard-line position. Seriously, if someone pointed out where there are stands of the white haired whatchamacallit at the base of a cliff, then I'll bet that with a bit of orange rope closing it off, climbers would leave it alone. But as long as he doesn't seem interested in working with us, I don't see a strong motivation to work with him.

Just to throw out a crazy idea, what if he was offered a trade: open up Pocket Wall again, and with botanists' input we could make the Southern Region a model in climbers protecting cliff-top and mid-cliff habitat?

Post by **ynot** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:23 am

I guess I shouldnt be such a smartass,and I am sorry. Im sure theres a sign somewhere that says not to carve up the arch. I just didnt see it.