Climbers are an easy target, believe it or not. Why ?? Because climbers are like cats and trying to herd them together for a common cause is nearly impossible. Climbers can't even agree on ethics, ratings, or access issues.
My thought is that people climb for many reasons. However, one of the common threads that everyone shears in climbing is the sense of freedom. We, meaning all of us, are becoming more threatened from many angles. One of which is the banning of guiding in the National Parks. Although I don't personally guide much in the Parks, I see it as a threat to all guided climbing. The trend will then become to close down climbing altogether. Think that's far fetched ? Think again.
I would ask anyone who is interested in preserving climbing in some of the most beautiful places in the world, like the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, to take action against the oppression. How ? Here's the recommendation form the American Mountain Guides Association:
The Park has already heard from guides, and what they really need are comments from the general public and clients.
What can you do now?
1. Email your client list, friends and fellow climbers today urging them to submit a comment by Oct. 27th. Use Facebook, your website, blog and any other communication vehicles to get the word out to your clients.
2. See below for a sample email to your clients, friends and fellow climbers.
It's in all of our interests to raise awareness and take action on this important issue today. The deadline for comments is Thursday, October 27th. Thank you for supporting the future of the profession in the U.S.
For more information, visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov
The National Park Service wants to ban guided climbing and prohibit members of the public from being able to climb with a professional guide in one of our country's most adventurous wilderness climbing areas. This is a national threat, which could set a debilitating precedent for guided climbing access in National Parks across the country. We are requesting your urgent support to help preserve guided climbing access in the Black Canyon as well as in other National Parks the U.S.
Here is another way how you can help:
Send an email to Ken_Stahlnecker@nps.gov today using the talking points below. Our goal is to have 500 people (who are not guides) contact Ken Stahlnecker opposing the Park's plan to ban guided climbing in the Black Canyon and urging the Park to preserve guiding climbing access in this unique venue.
Dear Ken Stahlnecker,
Chief, Resource Stewardship and Science
National Park Service,
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
I am writing to urge you to keep guided climbing access available to the American public. Along with Yosemite National Park and Red Rocks National Conservation Area, the Black Canyon is one of only a few climbing venues in the country offering big wall climbing opportunities. There is often a scarcity of willing and adequate climbing partners to tackle the bold and remote terrain of the Black. Because climbing requires a team of two unless one is free soloing, my options for experiencing this unique wilderness area will be substantially reduced or eliminated altogether if guided climbing is banned in the Inner Canyon Zone.
Having the option to climb with a professional guide is necessary for me to be able to experience the vertical wilderness in the Black Canyon. Partnering with a professional guide will enhance my opportunity for an experience of adventure, challenge and self-reliance. I see no difference between climbing with a professional guide and climbing with a non-guide partner who happens to be stronger or more experienced than me. It is not uncommon for climbing partners to be of varying levels of experience. Climbing successfully in the Black always requires the self-reliance, commitment and personal fortitude of both climbing partners regardless of their varying experience levels.
