Free: Contests & Raffles.
You probably aren't aware and/or don't give a hoot, but a rock climb was established on Mt. Garfield, which is in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. This rock climb was installed illegally, because numerous expansion bolts were drilled with power drills by the guys who erected the "climb". Not only were the climbers who installed all of the bolts not cited, there was no requirement to remove the bolts and erase the climb. Talk about illegal trail building, and this was in a wilderness area. The behavior of these "climbers" and the lack of action by the Forest Service is one of the reasons I got out of rock climbing.
Is this in the squilchuck state Park area? Kinda hard to tell on Google maps
You probably aren't aware and/or don't give a hoot, but a rock climb was established on Mt. Garfield, which is in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. This rock climb was installed illegally, because numerous expansion bolts were drilled with power drills by the guys who erected the "climb". Not only were the climbers who installed all of the bolts not cited, there was no requirement to remove the bolts and erase the climb. Talk about illegal trail building, and this was in a wilderness area.
That is an interesting example because there are lots of "Outlaw" routes that have been bolted some time creating a fight from withing the climbing community itself.
I was an outspoken critic of that route, and have also done it. The bizarre things about all of it was at the end, the issue the USFS was concerned with wasn't the roto-hammered route but the user built trail. I guess there wasn't proof that the route was roto hammered, but the trail is evident of itself.
Quote from: pope on November 28, 2016, 05:38:15 PMYou probably aren't aware and/or don't give a hoot, but a rock climb was established on Mt. Garfield, which is in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. This rock climb was installed illegally, because numerous expansion bolts were drilled with power drills by the guys who erected the "climb". Not only were the climbers who installed all of the bolts not cited, there was no requirement to remove the bolts and erase the climb. Talk about illegal trail building, and this was in a wilderness area.I was an outspoken critic of that route, and have also done it. The bizarre things about all of it was at the end, the issue the USFS was concerned with wasn't the roto-hammered route but the user built trail. I guess there wasn't proof that the route was roto hammered, but the trail is evident of itself.Quote from: Special T on November 28, 2016, 07:05:43 PMThat is an interesting example because there are lots of "Outlaw" routes that have been bolted some time creating a fight from withing the climbing community itself. Not a very good explanation or characterization of the issue.
Sorry I didn't make it very clear. Your example of a bolted route in the wilderness isn't unique. There are others. It is another example of selective enforcement.
I was under the impression that is why Trad guys like you smashed the clips flat? Or so I was led to belive... I was under the impression you had to get approval to bolt routes.
Quote from: Knocker of rocks on November 29, 2016, 07:07:34 AMI was an outspoken critic of that route, and have also done it. The bizarre things about all of it was at the end, the issue the USFS was concerned with wasn't the roto-hammered route but the user built trail. I guess there wasn't proof that the route was roto hammered, but the trail is evident of itself.They should have been concerned. Rules were clearly broken, unless anybody believes they drilled all of those holes with a hand drill. The Forest Service sent a message: we don't always enforce our rules. In the current episode, the Forest Service seems to reward and encourage the establishment of illegal trails by the mountain bike crowd.
Doesn't sound like they are using FS funds to do this project but I'm sure the studies were on our dime and I am frustrated with their lack of maintainence on existing roads. They need to start doing more logging so that they will have more money.
"Yes I have been riding atv's on National Forest land for the last 15 years."Well, come to the Methow and ride around, look out for ole Dave though!!USFS is always out of funds, unless its to dis-mantle roads and trails and buy new rigs covered with camera's!
Yes I have been riding atv's on National Forest land for the last 15 years. There is always backlash from others for new forms of user groups and someone always feels they are getting the shaft. We have designated ORV and ATV trails where I hunt and I just feel it is unfair to say one user group doesn't have a right to use OUR National forest lans.
Quote from: Special T on November 28, 2016, 07:09:04 PMIs this in the squilchuck state Park area? Kinda hard to tell on Google mapsNo, it is further to the north at the top of #2 canyon. There is a gated road and mountain bike trails that already exist.....they were built by people that mountain bike illegally. They run from Horse Lake Mountain all the way down. I have been hiking up there to almost be ran over by mountain bikers multiple times. It is funny to me how a certain user group can dig, rake, cut trees, build ramps, bridges, ect. etc. etc....but other user groups cannot even drive the forest service roads that already exist.