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Over the past couple of years, we've listened to the Webers ask for more financial support for Muir on this website. We have watched signs go up on trails in Muir asking for donations, seen donation boxes put up in the parking area, read "Donations Needed to Keep Muir Valley Open" banners on the Muir Valley Website...yet the needed response from climbers simply hasn't been seen.

This is going to change and we are going to make it happen. YOU are going to make it happen.

Over the next few months, there will be growing awareness for Muir spread both far and near with fundraisers to demonstrate to the Webers that we, the climbing community, value Muir Valley and take responsibility for supporting it at an individual level. However, the big task at hand will be to guide the Webers through our response as they build the future plan for Muir.

If what you see in your future has a Muir Valley in it, then please show your support by making a financial contribution today. Even if you don't climb much at Muir, losing Muir will affect the future of climbing at the Red River Gorge. An estimated 30,000 climbers visited Muir in 2011. With Muir gone, the PMRP and other areas will need to absorb these visiting climbers. Think about it.

Many thanks to Climbing Magazine and all the other climbing news sites and magazines that are supporting this effort. Stay tuned for more news releases in the near future and please help spread the word. http://www.urbanclimbermag.com/411/news ... hreatened/

Michelle

Great points Michelle, thank you for working on this!!

You will have my support. Roughly when should we be looking for the first official fundraiser?

I still think there should be a parking fee.

Thank you, Michelle. Rick and I really appreciate your having taken up this cause for Muir. We would like to stress that when you say "...needed response from climbers simply hasn't been seen" that doesn't apply to all climbers. Although the average donation per climber has been pennies per visit, many climbers have been very generous with their donations and very supportive of Muir Valley.

We recognize that there are some who just can't afford to donate, and we don't want anyone to feel that they are not welcome at Muir.

Liz

let's be clear, because i'm getting very different tones from different sources. liz...i'm sure you and rick would appreciate more donations, i know i would. this goes without saying. as the main statement of your post, however, this is pretty vague. as a landowner, i feel you have the right to be vague, but with an article running online for urban climber saying that muir valley is in danger of closing it seems something a little more tangible or to-the-point is appropriate. clearly "appreciating" donations hasn't gotten the job done in the past.

liz, would you merely "appreciate" more donations or are you going to close Muir Valley to the public if you don't see more? and if so do you have anything more concrete in mind?

Thanks Michelle for taking up this task and for holding us to task. Just trying to think of effective ways to spread the word/ put opportunities to donate in climbers face more often. Anyways that a banner stating "Donate to Muir Valley" could be placed when a route or crag for the area looked up in the online guide? I think this may be more of a question for Ray but figured it might be a good way to keep the donation aspect more top of mind for people browsing the online guide. Could even do something similar for The RRGCC on the PMRP routes/crags. I know there is already a banner but perhaps have the words Donate or something there. Or maybe a little picture like there was for the RRGCC posters a few years back, implying donate or we may lose access. Just brainstorming and not sure if you all think this is a good idea or if it is feasable for you all (Ray) to work into the site. Thanks again for what I know is going to be a lot of work and planning you will be putting into this.

This seems to be about the future.. as a potential investor I need facts about the long term plan. 20 years? If, as I believe has been established, the average expenses are $70,000 to $90,000 per year, I think, not that I am 'entitled' to transparency or to climb on private property, a plan I could support would require an itemized expense budget and legacy plans.

Good luck to all.

@ cliff. Are your figures accurate on the Miur valley annual maintance costs to the tune of $70,000-$90,000? I recall those figures being posted in the past. Just need a refresher.

hey

yeah i know, transparency is a problem. i'm inclined to think that is a partial source of the problem.