10.01.07
ROMP Environmental Assessment, including Climbing Guidelines for Shenandoah National Park:
By Steve Bair, Backcountry, Wilderness and Trails Manager
Greetings,
Thanks to those of you who participated in the recent Rock Outcrop
Management Plan (ROMP) Environmental Assessment (EA) public meetings. We
had about 30 participants at the Bailey's Crossroads meeting at the REI
store (thanks to Mark Nelson and REI for accommodating our meeting) and we
had 7 participants at the Harrisonburg meeting at the JMU Festival
Conference and Student Center. The Park received some excellent input and
Wendy and Steve enjoyed the positive discussion and input at both meetings.
The ROMP is now at the EA public review and comment stage and you are
invited to comment on the ROMP and EA, including the Climbing Management
Guidelines. We have conducted eight public meetings and workshops up to
this point in the project, and the Park staff are very appreciative of the
excellent interest, participation, and positive and productive input we
have had from a diverse range of interest groups during this process.
As most of you should be aware at this stage, Shenandoah National Park has
completed an extensive three-year project to inventory the natural
resources and assess recreation use and impacts to rock outcrops and cliff
areas in the park. The result is a Rock Outcrop Management Plan and
Climbing Management Guidelines that meet the park’s mission goal to
preserve resources and allow recreation activities at an acceptable level
of impact. The plans are based on scientific inventories and research,
with extensive public involvement of hikers, climbers, nature enthusiasts
and other Park supporters who could be affected by park management
decisions.
The EA has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision framework for the following:
· Analysis of a reasonable range of alternatives to meet management
objectives;
· evaluation of potential issues and impacts to natural and cultural
resources and values and the human environment; and,
· identification of mitigation measures to lessen the degree of those
impacts.
The National Park Service encourages public participation through the NEPA
process. The public has the opportunity to comment on the EA for a 30-day
period from the date of this announcement; therefore, the public comment
period is open from October 1, 2007 through October 30, 2007. The EA is
available for review and comment on-line at the National Park Service park
planning website http://parkplanning.nps.gov/shen where comments may be
posted on-line, or comments can be sent to: Superintendent, Shenandoah
National Park, Attention: ROMP EA, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA,
22835. The ROMP and EA is a 3.1 MB PDF file. Requests for a printed copy
of the EA can also be made through the Superintendent’s office, or you may
contact Wendy Cass or Steve Bair directly to request a printed copy at the
address posted below. We will mail out printed copies to a few of you who
have already made that request and have provided us with your mailing
address.
Sincerely,
Steve and Wendy
Wendy Cass
Botanist
(540)999-3432
wendy_cass@nps.gov
Steve Bair
Backcountry, Wilderness and Trails Manager
(540)999-3140
steve_bair@nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park
Attn: ROMP
3655 U.S. Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835
09.25.07
Volunteer Information: Adopt-A-Crag Carderock (Sept 29th)
By Thomson Ling, AF Regional Coordinator
The Carderock Adopt-A-Crag will take place on Saturday, Sept 29 from
9am to 2pm. Remember that check-in is at 8:30am in the last parking
lot (commonly referred to as the climbers lot). Look for the big
check-in tent. The event will run RAIN OR SHINE. Weather-wise the
only things that would cause a cancellation would be heavy rain or
lightning. In the case of foul weather, please call Thomson Ling at
301-460-4327 or check www.dcmetroclimbing.com to find out if the
event has been cancelled.
Carderock Recreation Area is located on the Potomac River about 1 mile
west of the Capital Beltway (near the American Legion Bridge).
Carderock is extremely easy to reach, and it is only 2 minutes from
the Capital Beltway (I-495), Maryland Exit 41. From Maryland, take
I-495 south (the Outer Loop for local folk) toward Northern Virgina.
Take Exit 41, (last exit in Maryland, prior to the bridge) toward
Carderock. This will put you on westbound Clara Barton Parkway. From
Virginia, take I-495 north (the Inner Loop for local folk) toward
Maryland. After passing the George Washington Parkway exit, get in the
extreme right lane as you cross the American Legion Bridge into
Maryland. This is an exit only lane for the Clara Barton Parkway (Exit
41). Caution: The exit ramp forks very soon after you exit. Take the
left fork for Carderock. This will put you on westbound Clara Barton
Parkway. Once on Clara Barton Parkway, you may note that David Taylor
Model Basin is on your right (the very long building). Take the first
exit off the parkway, making a left at the top of the ramp. This will
take you right into the recreation area. After you pass under the
canal through the tunnel, make a right at the stop sign and drive to
the last parking area.
No prior experience is necessary, only a willingness to meet others
and work to ensure that these parks will be here tomorrow. The agenda
for the day is to provide a brief welcome and orientation, work on the
projects the park service has reserved for us until approximately
noon, and then break for a post-event BBQ where volunteers can meet
and mingle. This year, we plan to be doing multiple projects. Part of
the group will be working to spread mulch along the tops and bottom of
the cliffs, we will also be doing some trail work.
The National Park Service will provide all the tools and instruction
however if you have gloves, you may want to bring yours. Since we will
be working near the bottom of the cliffs, if you have a climbing
helmet, you may wish to bring it as well. The Park service recommends
you wear "long pants, boots or sturdy shoes, and dress for the
conditions". For some of the work, we may be scrambling on rocks so
approach shoes may be appropriate. Please do NOT wear open toe shoes
or sandals as you will not be able to participate in open toe shoes or
sandals.
Please RSVP with by emailing adoptacragf@dcmetroclimbing so we have
an idea of how many volunteers to prepare for.
09.13.07
Final draft Rock Outcrop Management Plan for Shenandoah National Park: ( which includes the Climbing Management Guidelines )
By Ocean Eiler , Access Fund Regional Coordinator
Thursday, ( TONIGHT )
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the REI store in Bailey's Crossroads
Do you all enjoy the right to climb in Virginia?
Cause this final draft of the Shenandoah National Park Rock Outcrop Management Plan ( which includes the Climbing Management Guidelines ) has the potential to change what access your allowed at Shenandoah National Park. TONIGHT is the last time any of us will have an chance to change it. This is especially important because it will set the standard for all the following Rock Outcrop Managment Plans in the state. For example (Great Falls! AKA: DC's back yard crag)
If you would like to read up on the draft Shenandoah National Park Rock Outcrop Management Plan, please visit the link below:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=274&projectId=19298&documentID=19528
As an Access Fund Representative I've got an invested intrest in attending such meetings, however as a climber you all should be just
as invested in protecting your climbing future! So I invite you all to come out to REI and show the NPS that we care about climbing and our climbing future.
Contact Ocean Eiler if you any any questions about this event:
ocean@dcmetroclimbing.com
09.13.07
Adopt-A-Crag 2007 !!!! COME ONE COME ALL!!!
By Ocean Eiler , Access Fund Regional Coordinator
Summary:
What: 2007 DC Area Adopt-A-Crag Events
Where: Great Falls (9/15) and Carderock (9/29)
When: 9am to 2pm, Check-in at 8:30am
Registration: adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
Long winded Version bought to you by Ocean Eiler "that other Access Fund Guy":
2007 DC Area Adopt-A-Crag Events!!!!
Gather round so you all can hear!
COME ONE COME ALL! Partake in not one.... but two of the largest climber volunteer events in your tri state region (OK DC's not a state
but bear with me).
To start off this ADVENTURE we will be traveling to the beloved Great Falls Park in the beautiful state of Virginia.
(Insert "Hoots and Hollering" here)
OK OK settle down other wise you all won't know when this event is going down and your most likely to miss it... Ok now where was I.
Ahhhhhhhh yes Lovely Virginia.
Great Falls Park Adopt-A-Crag will be taking place on Saturday, September 15th. Check-in at 8:30am and we will begin working promptly at 9am. As a general rule we say that we will stop around 2pm, however in years past we have stopped WELL before our allotted time. Why you might say? BECAUSE CLIMBERS ARE FREAKING BAD ASS! That's why... The national parks keep giving us work and we just keep on completing it.
But Ocean what if I can't wait till the 15th to sign up?
Ahhhhhh good on you mate! Here is the perfect remedy for such a problem. Early registration is much obliged and can be done at:
adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
Now before you all start gabbing and carrying on about your excitement for this Great Falls Adopt-A-Crag let me tell you about our other fine event just over the river.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Carderock Recreation Area, MD. Brings a tear to my eye. In no other place on earth can you drive only mere minutes from your front door to
be schooled all over the rock by a wiry old man rocking HI TOPS. It just brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Carderock, MD where legends are born... So lets help this legendary place to keep building those legendary people!
Saturday, September 29th! Check-in at 8:30 am and the work starts at 9 am and goes to 2 pm
Now you might be thinking why should I give up two perfectly good Saturdays to help out these local crags? You might say but I don't
even climb here all that much. Or better yet I don't really care I think I will stay home and watch cartoons.
Here is why you should give up two days out of 363 days of the year to give back to your local crag. Does the crag ever say it doesn't want you to climb? Is the crag ever missing when you go to climb on it? Does the crag have any voice at all? No it doesn't, but those that own the crag have a voice and can say "Climbers do not take care of the rock we ALLOW them to play on, and its not worth the liability to
allow them to climb.
"allow"... whats this? Climbing is not a right? I'm pretty sure it was right next to free speech and the right to arm bears...You mean they
can take climbing away?
You bet your sweet bottom dollar. In-fact they have tried to... remember that little stink with the NPS Land Management Plan and Great Falls, you know the one that is still going on? Yea. This is not just local event, nation wide Access Fund and other small groups like Friends of Great Falls are fighting for your climbing rights.
This means when you come out to these events your sending a clear and direct message to land owners nation wide. I AM A CLIMBER AND I CARE ABOUT MY CRAG!
Now I'm not saying its going to be easy! In-fact I'm sure they will work us to the bone. But we are first and foremost climbers! We are not like the little weak ass weekend do gooders they usually get. Second of all we have prizes...
YES IN DEEDIE I SAID IT PRIZES, GIFTS, SWAG, WHAT HAVE YOU! of course your doing all this for the good of the crag and to help keep the pleasant diplomatic nature of the land overs. But whats the fun in that if you can't walk away with something FUN and FREE!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHA. I thought that might get someones attention.
Besides all the swag we have for you, after each event we will be providing you with a mountainous feast of delectable eats! Really its just a BBQ but heck after a long hard day of work I'm sure it will be glorious!
Come and be apart of the DC Area Adopt-A-Crag events, meet some new friends, catch up with old ones and show the crag some love.
Please feel free to contact Thomson Ling if you who would like to participate in one or both of these Adopt-A-Crag events.
Also come check out our website for details & photos of past events
07.26.07
Adopt-A-Crag 2007: DC area Rock Climbers band together to give back
By Addison Helmke , AF Volinteer
The Washington area rock climbers invite all climbing enthusiasts to join us on Saturday, September 15that Great Falls Park, VA and the 29th at Carderock Recreation Area, MD, in the largest volunteer effort in climbing history to clean up climbing areas as part of the Access Fund’s 8th Annual Adopt-a-Crag.
Adopt-a-Crag (www.accessfund.org/adopt), the Access Fund’s signature event, brings climbing community members together to preserve and maintain national parks. The volunteers work with the park service personel on cliff cleanup, erosion control, trail maintenance, and other projects to ensure the resources at these national parks remain accessible to all visitors. This year, Adopt-a-Crag will produce trail restoration projects and crag clean-ups at over 100 climbing areas around the country.
This is the fifth year that DC area rock climbers are hosting an Adopt-A-Crag event. Last year, over 150 volunteers participated in the DC area Adopt-A-Crag events. For two days, climbers helped lay down over four tons of gravel, 2 tons of wood chips, and collected several thousand pounds of trash. Climbers also helped to maintain several miles of trails and wilderness areas.
No experience is necessary, only a willingness to meet and work to ensure that these parks will be here tomorrow. Please contact Thomson Ling or Ocean Eiler at <adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com> for more information or to sign up.
Since 1990, the Access Fund has been the only national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 1.6 million climbers nationwide in ALL forms of climbing; Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, and Bouldering. The organization works in cooperation with climbers, other recreational users, public land managers, and private landowners to promote the responsible use and sound management of climbing resources throughout the United States.
Dates and Locations:
Saturday, September 15, 2007 at Great Falls National Park, Great Falls, VA
Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Carderock Recreation Area, MD
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm, check-in at 8:30am
Contact: Thomson Ling or Ocean Eiler
adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
3.12.07
Shenandoah National Park Climbers Alliance, VA
By Ocean Eiler, Access Fund Regional Coordinator
In order to give a united voice to climbers who climb in Shenandoah National Park, a new group is forming: the Shenandoah National Park Climbers Alliance (SNPCA). SNPCA is an informal, volunteer, grassroots group that will represent your interests as climbers in the Shenandoah National Park. As you may be aware, Shenandoah National Park includes climbing sites such as Little Stony Man and Old Rag Mountain (one of few granite climbing areas in the mid-Atlantic region). Initially, SNPCA will focus on building a constructive and mutually trustworthy relationship with the staff of the Shenandoah National Park as they prepare a climbing management plan under their Rock Outcrop Management Project. Ultimately, the SNPCA will serve as a channel for input from the climbing community to the Park staff that will be essential to preserving the high quality of climbing that we have come to enjoy in the Shenandoah National Park.
SNPCA is looking for climbers who want to get involved and help ensure that climbing remains accessible at Shenandoah National Park. There's plenty to do—please get involved! For more information on how to get involved, or if you have questions, please contact the SNPCA at snpclimbersalliance@gmail.com or visit www.snpclimbersalliance.blogspot.com Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who might be interested--we want to get the word out to as many people as possible!
Website: www.snpclimbersalliance.blogspot.com
Email : snpclimbersalliance@gmail.com
1.27.07
Nelson Rocks Preserve, WV
By Ocean Eiler, Access Fund Regional Coordinator
In response to the recent real estate listing of Nelson Rocks Preserve, WV, climbers in the Washington DC area held a round table. Nelson Rocks Preserve is a privately owned outdoor recreation area, featuring many climbing routes, via ferrata climbing, hiking, and camping.
The round table discussions lead by Access Fund Regional Coordinator Thomson Ling discussed the options for preserving climbing access at Nelson Rocks Preserve and helped to facilitate the ground work for positive action.
With roughly 20 people in attendance, the discussions were inquisitive and demonstrated climbers’ motivation to preserve access to Nelson Rocks.
Follow up for previous Enews: www.accessfund.org/regions/news/WV
01.11.2007
Nelson Rocks, WV
By Thomson Ling, AF Regional Coordinator
For those in the DC area interested in the discussing the recent real estate listing of Nelson Rocks, WV please attend a meeting from 5-7pm on Saturday, January 27th. The local REI at Bailey's Crossroads (3509 Carlin Springs Rd Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041) has generously offered to donate a room. The agenda is to discuss potential options to ensure that Nelson Rocks moves to climber-friendly hands.
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Different tools that can be used to preserve climbing areas in perpetuity
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The pros and cons of fee simple acquisition
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Conservation easements
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Liability of owning, managing, or holding an easement on land
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Fundraising and how other groups have done it
Partnerships that have worked in the past for AF and local climbing orgs.
Nelson Rocks is an amazing place with lots of great climbing history and lots of really good climbing on solid stone, some of the best in the area. It is one of several large eruptions (southern most) of Tuscarora sandstone out of a long ridge that runs over 30 miles north towards Petersburg, WV.
For information please contact Thomson Ling at: thomsonling@dcmetroclimbing.com
1.01.07
Access Fund Welcomes New Regional Coordinators
Ocean Eiler, Alexandria, VA
Web designer by day and climber every other waking moment. Born in the back woods of Ohio just might have been where Ocean learned his fond respect of nature. Growing up he juggled a fine line between techno gadgets and a love for all things natural, he was shunned by both geeks and hippies a like. With nowhere to turn he did what anyone in his shoes would do... leave the country and work for a non-profit. During his travels he ran in to some friends that convinced him to try climbing. From that point on Ocean was hooked, he found his calling in life. When his time over seas was finished he came back to the USA and relocated in the DC metropolitan area. Here Ocean quickly became involved with the local climbing culture, wanting to do more then just climb he teamed up with Thomson Ling "the friendly neighborhood Access Fund guy". Together they plotted to make Adopt-a-Crag history and really rally the climbing community to take care of there beloved local crag. 2005 was a good year and 2006 was only and improvement. With the up coming 2007 Adopt-a-Crag coming up... they are looking for world domination.
10.7.06
Information Session about Shenandoah National Park Rock Outcrop Management Plan
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