Steve_RRG wrote:I know money doesn't grow on trees, but you can't do any other activity for $10 per day per person. If you can't afford that, drive to the nearest national park that allows climbing and see how much that costs. Gee whiz, just pay the $10 and be darn glad to have such a wonderful place to climb so close to home.
So true. What we have created in the Red, so different from climbing in a National Park, is an affordable, yes, cheap resource for climbers to enjoy. No Golden Eagle pass needed to enter the park per year. The Red attracts thousands of climbers from many thousand miles away(half way across the world for the regular Aussies' who return here). Biggest problem is the lack of roadside or off road parking, the crowds at the favorite walls, and the occasional series of car break ins in certain areas. And you basically get to climb for free everywhere, and kick over a whole 2 bucks to camp at Miguels.
What other outdoor adventure sport could you enjoy for 10-15 bucks per day? Downhill skiing has priced itself right out of the picture for even the mid income family. Want to wait in line for routes at the Gunks for at least 17 bucks per climber per day?
What do you get for spending 20 bucks at Muir Valley? You get a good road that is kept graded and repaired so Anyone can drive Any vehicle down to a safe and secure parking lot, free of break ins. You have a big shelter from the hot sun of the summer, or the surprise rains of mid afternoon. A place to hang and relax after the climbing day, often with a cold beverage/bottled water provided at the end of the hot day for only a buck. Hundreds of great routes to climb, the scenic peaceful valley itself, the well maintained trails with clear marking signs to get you to where you wish to be, and even route markers at the cliffs. Clean bathrooms at the trailhead, and now several well built in-valley bathrooms for your convenience and for leaving a better cleaner environment in the valley. And usually at least every week is at least a 4 day weekend where the landowners are there to greet you, help you out, steer you to best locations for your group needs or skill levels.
Go ski at Deer Valley out in Utah,,,yes, there they have associates who come out to greet you and carry your skis back to the chalet....and you pay 120+ for a lift ticket per day for that service. Your 'meet and greet' people here are other climbers, the landowners, FOMV volunteers, all who have your best interest in mind.
I'm not aware of all the 'past' history between Muir and RRGCC. I do feel that Muir is the best thing that could happen for the good of the RRGCC. Can't imagine another 100 cars trying to enter the PMRP from some direction, unloading another couple hundred climbers onto the land, on roads that are not kept up as well or as easy to approach as Muir. Nobody wants to climb somewhere that is overloaded with bodies every few feet...(think Black Corridor at Red Rocks in Vegas). So you donated to the RRGCC and feel you've done your share of giving cash to climb at the Red. Think of PMRP and Muir , like 2 different ski areas in the same mountain range.. You spend money for a lift ticket at both places for the enjoyment of using each place..Not really any different for picking out where you want to climb. Don't want to spend anything???Then go ahead and stay north of the tunnel,,,,go to Military Wall,, Long Wall, etc. and find old trad and sport routes to your liking there. But don't bad mouth Muir and the efforts to try and make it a securely funded and sustainable climbing spot.
Parking, good roads, clean bathrooms, new improved trails, accurate route markings,,,,,sounds like enough reasons for me right there.
