disappointed with Muir Valley climbers

[Mrs.climbeRPh]

Tim and I arrived on Sunday 5/25 and took the last legitimate spot in the Muir Valley parking lot. We saw a few drivers turn around and others crowd in to not so good spots. But when we returned to the lot after climbing, we saw cars on both sides of the street leading in, next to a sign telling you not to do so, and another SUV blocking the exit for all but the smallest cars.
I hope the owners of this PRIVATE PROPERTY are patient with selfish behavior.
Brenda

[der uber]

I don't believe it - this is an internet hoax, right?

Nobody would do something so brazen as to disobey the rules of Muir valley.

[Andrew]

Not surprised. Our climbing community is an embarrasment.

[kidney_dave]

One of these days we are going to pull up to the locked gate that leads to what used to be the parking lot for Muir Valley. People need to wisen the fuck up and show a little more respect and concern for more than just their immediate wants and desires.

[rhunt]

One of these days we are going to pull up to the locked gate that leads to what used to be the parking lot for Muir Valley.

Likely to happen

People need to wisen the fuck up and show a little more respect and concern for more than just their immediate wants and desires.

Never going to happen

[kidney_dave]

yeah its an unfortunate side effect of human nature....

[Lateralus]

I'd say 99% of the people who read this site aren't the ones you are talking about. Next time leave a "doggy treat" on the offensive driver's windshield with a note explaining that they have chosen to crap on the community and the community is just returning the favor. That will work better than spraying on here about it to people who are already following the rules.

[bentley]

Those of you that park in front of no parking signs and blatantly disregard clearly posted no parking signs, please remember who you are so we can give you credit for getting Muir Valley closed to climbing.

If this type shit continues, I bet a gate in front of the parking lot is coming soon!

If your hung-over or just plain lazy and get a late start, show up at Muir and the lot if full, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! Muir Valley is conveniently located right in the middle of the Southern Region and Gorge proper climbing. You can be at countless other crags in less than 15 min.

I have to agree with Andrew, this is down right embarrassing.

[asylvest]

This is really disappointing. In some ways it is hard to believe that we lost Torrent and have not learned a lesson. I was not there, but unfortunately I'm not surprised.

Just out of curiosity, however, how many people wrote a note and left it on one of the offending cars? Nothing rude - but we, as a community, should be letting people like this know that they are messing up. I might suggest that everyone write a note (like the example below) and print off a few copies to keep in their car for just such occasions. I think that this is what I'll be doing. I'm sure many of you will want to write something worded more colorfully/strongly, but let's stop waiting for people to get our areas closed.


Dear Nameless Climber,

In case you were not aware, climbing in Muir Valley is a privilage, one provided by the extreme generosity of Rick and Liz Weber. Please note that they ask very little of the climbers who use their land, just the voluntary following of a small number of reasonable rules. It appears to me, that you have broken the unspoken trust between the climbers and the Webers by ______(fill in the offense of the moment here)_______________. If you conduct yourself in a similar manner at other climbing areas I ask that you please stop. Whether you know it or not you are threating the climbing that I and so many other people enjoy. It would be terrible if you caused the closure of this or other cliffs, but it is actions like yours that get climbing areas closed whether you choose to believe it or not.

Sincerely,

Adam Sylvester
Annoyed Climber

[Wes]

To me, the sad/funny thing is that people think this is somehow new and/or unique behavior. It is neither. Show up at rocktown and see the dogs off the leash, or people speeding on the roads. Or rumbling bald last winter with the parking spilling over onto the road. Bishop parking lots overflow all the time. People sneak into Hueco now, while they used to get arrested for illegal bolting. Power drills on el cap, climbing off limits desert towers, poaching camping in the valley, and not paying Miguel for camping. All of this, and much, much more, IS the climbing community and always has been, and probably always will be.