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October 07, 2005
NC: Carolina Climbers Coalition to Purchase Laurel Knob
Cashiers, NC.- The Carolina Climbers Coalition has contracted to purchase what has been called "the biggest hunk of granite east of the Mississippi". Laurel Knob resides in the infamous Pantertown Valley, just outside Cashiers, NC. Closing of the $250,000 contract is in December 2005.
Please note that Laurel Knob is private property. Visiting there before the contract is settled will endanger access.
Shawn Tierney, Access and Acquisitions Director of the Access Fund, says, “The purchase of Laurel Knob by the Carolina Climbers Coalition is one of the most significant land acquisitions of a climbing resource in the country. Besides opening up a phenomenal area, the purchase ensures access for future generations. The CCC deserves a huge amount of credit for their hard work in making this purchase a reality, and the Access Fund is proud to contribute to the effort with an initial $10,000 grant, and further assistance with fundraising.”
Funding has been acquired from various donors, including the $10,000 award from the Access Fund. More donations are needed! Check CCC's website for details on Laurel Knob, as well as how you can help donate to the cause. In the meantime, JOIN the CCC, or RENEW your membership today. Get all your friends to do the same!
Posted by WiredNut at October 7, 2005 11:09 PM
Comments
I gotta ask. Just what is infamous about PV? I'm not from there and have no special interest, just curious. Thanks.
Posted by: mikem at November 1, 2005 09:33 PM
Hey Mike, I'm not sure. I do know that PV offers a big variety of outdoor activity. Maybe a local can chime in on this.
Will
Posted by: WiredNut at November 2, 2005 05:36 PM
Panthertown Valley (and the entire Cashiers, NC area) is regarded by many as sort of the epicenter of the bold, ground-up NC trad ethic.
Posted by: j_ung at November 6, 2005 10:28 AM
Thanks for the explanation.
After looking at some of the photos of the granite, I'll say that a strong trad ethic is indeed a bold one on that rock. It's been decades since I climbed, and even then mostly top rope and a few terrified lead climbs as second at Seneca Rocks, but I keep up enough to recognize a wall that begs for bolts.
Bold indeed.
I admire the trad ethic, even as it leaves my piton generation looking like rock abusers, but I wonder how much a tradition is worth whenever I read of another crippling fall off gear.
But you guys are the generation. It's your risk, your boldness, your enjoyment.
I also have something to say about chalk "art" painted all over once beautiful rock, but that's another story. We may have left pin scars but we would have slapped anyone that painted the rock. It's not as bad here as it is in the West where they mar up gorgeous sandstone hundreds of feet into the air and then whine about tourists and their nasty cigarette butts and cans on the ground ruining the view.
Climb safe.
Posted by: mikem at November 11, 2005 04:58 PM