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Pocket Wall, will access ever be restored?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:13 am
by hoss
Being someone who has only been climbing at the Red for a short time it pains me to see pictures of all the super classic climbs at Pocket Wall, mainly Mississippi Moon, that are no longer accessable. I did some research on why they closed the wall, but was wondering if anyone knows what, if any, efforts the RRGCC is taking to restore access. Is this a lost cause or will we eventually get Pocket Wall back?
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:18 am
by Wes
Hard to say for sure. But, the rrgcc.org website would be the place to post this question if you want an answer from the rrgcc.
My take, is that it would take a lot of work at a state level for climbing to be allowed on state park land.
Wes
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:41 am
by Bruisebrother
Awhile back, Shannon had made contact with the Ky. State Dept. OF Parks and Recreation, I believe and a Senator who is pro-climbing. It appeared that he would help open Ky. state parks to climbing! But then the Murry property purchase overloaded the workings of the RRGCC..
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 1:07 am
by Spragwa
Umm. The Senator is a she.
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:46 am
by KD
It would take a change in State Park policy in Frankfort to open Pocket Wall back up. There is an inconsistency in State Park policy where climbing is grouped with rappelling, which is banned. However, Carter Caves State Park allows rapelling during an event called Crawlathon where cavers rap into pit caves etc. So, it is possible to get around the ban on some level. Cavers often skirt ban-rules by operating under the auspices of resource protection: if it isn't explored it can't be properly protected. It's hard to apply this to climbing and cliffside flora and fauna. Another way around bans is to convince the State that climbing is good for attracting tourism to State Parks and appeal to their greed.
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:52 am
by ynot
Climbing is good for tourism.
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:56 am
by lordjim_2001
But "climbers" die more often than your normal run of the mill touron.
I looked at some other states policies on climbing/bouldering in their state parks. It appears that KY is just wierd when it comes down to it.
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:01 am
by aaron
climbers are a spectacle in ynp, tourists flock to watch us at the cliff. somewhere there is a video of us on some 10a at chuch bowl!
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:11 am
by ynot
Not in the Red. Its always a camper or rapeller
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:12 am
by aaron
agreed on the deaths. it's always some dude from ohio that falls to their death.