September 01, 2006
Carderock and Great Falls Adopt-A-Crag Events
Do your best to attend the 2006 DC Area Access Fun Adopt-A-Crag Events at Carderock on September 9 and Great Falls, September 30. The events are from 9am to 2pm, so show up for check-in at 8:30am
And register first: adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
Here's your invitation from Thomson Ling, local Access Fund rep.
Dear Climbers,
I would like to invite you to participate in the 2006 DC Area Adopt-A-Crag on:
Saturday, September 9th at Carderock Recreation Area, MD and/or on
Saturday, September 30th at Great Falls Park, VA.
For those of you who have never volunteered at Adopt-A-Crag, these events bring climbing community members together to preserve and maintain the national parks. The DC Area Adopt-A-Crag days along with other Adopt-A-Crag's around the country, make up the largest climbing volunteer effort in history. Photos from previous year's events can be found at: dcmetroclimbing.com.
West Virginia, photo by WiredNutThis years Adopt-A-Crag days come at a critical time when the National Park Service is seriously considering the impact of rock climbers and other recreational users on the environment. The National Park Service has discussed closure of climbing areas as a possible solution. In response to these threats of closures, rock climbers are focusing this year's volunteer work on projects that demonstrate how recreation and conservation can co-exist. For instance, working to maintain trails that run through unique habitats. The goal of this years projects are to demonstrate the dedication of rock climbers to ensuring that the natural resources of climbing as well as the biological diversity of the park are there for future generations of visitors.
Climbers from all over the area as well as many local climbing organizations volunteer at Adopt-A-Crag and it's a great way to give back to your local climbing areas. No experience is necessary, only a willingness to meet and work to ensure that these parks will be here tomorrow.
Please contact me if you who would like to participate in one or both of these Adopt-A-Crag events ( adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com; 301-460-4327).
And if you still aren't convinced, here are ten reasons to volunteer at Adopt-A-Crag...
10. Free T-shirt.
9. Meet lots of interesting people (climbers, hikers, pool boys).
8. You can't remember the last time you did something other than climb.
7. More fun than having Saturday brunch.
6. Chance to win climbing schwag.
5. Good warm up for climbing in the afternoon.
4. Your mom would be proud.
3. Hone your off-road wheelbarrow skills.
2. Did I mention lots of free schwag?
1. Ensure your climbing future!
Sincerely,
Thomson Ling
301.460.4327
Adoptacrag@dcmetroclimbing.com
Posted by WiredNut at 01:22 AM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2006
WEDNESDAY!!! Meeting on Great Falls Cliff Study at Patagonia Store
Kush at Kaymoor, Photo by Photo by Steve Sebrell© 2006From Thomson Ling, DC area Access Fund Coordinator:
The National Park Service has comissioned a multi-year study to examine the rock faces of the Potomac Gorge, an area that includes Carderock and Great Falls. This cliff study will document plant communities and soils living on and near cliff surfaces in the Potomac River Gorge. Additionally, the study will assess any impacts of recreation use and park visitation on these important cliff habitats. The first phases of the study have already begun and the tentative completion date is 2009. The study is being led by Dr. Jeff Marion, a US Geological Survey researcher. Dr. Marion is a climber as well as a researcher and understands the value of conservation as well as recreation. Our hope is that through sound researchwe can identify ways that climbing and conservation can co-exist in the Potomac Gorge.
Dr. Marion has offered to meet with the climbing community and cover his proposed study, so that the climbing community is better informed about the work that he is doing. To this end, Friends of Great Falls (FOGF) has organized a meeting where you can learn about this study.
In addition, Stephanie Flack from the Nature Conservancy will discuss the role of the Nature Conservancy in conservation efforts along the Potomac Gorge as well as the relatio nship of the Nature Conservancy to the National Park Service.
What: A meeting to learn about the Potomac
Gorge Cliff Study.
When: This Wednesday evening, July 26, 6:30 - 8pm.
Where: Patagonia in Georgetown, 1048 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, DC 20007
Who: Dr. Jeff Marion, lead researcher for the Cliff Study and Stephanie Flack, The Nature Conservancy Potomac Gorge Conservation Planner.
As concerned climbers, please make every effort to attend this meeting. Both Dr. Marion and Stephanie Flack have graciously offered their time to help brief the climbing community and share information about how climbing and conservation can fit together in the Potomac Gorge.
Posted by WiredNut at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2006
VA: Great FAlls NP EIS Comments Analysis
Great Falls, VA.- The Friends of Great Falls has put together a excellent summary and analysis (PDF) of the public comments regarding Great Falls Draft Management Plan.
Quote:
Nearly 300 individuals and organizations commented on the draft Great Falls General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. Individual climbers filed about 75% of the responses (206 out of 270). In addition, twelve organizations and groups relating to climbing filed comments. The remaining comments came from hikers, neighbors and residents living near the park, individual equestrians and equestrian groups, environmental groups, off-road biking organizations, kayaking associations, and local, state and federal government organizations.
3. Summary of Organizational Comments
The groups that commented were:
Users:
♦ Friends of Great Falls (FOGF)
♦ Sheclimbers organization
♦ Potomac Appalachian Trail Club/Mountaineering Section (PATC/MS)
♦ American Alpine Club (AAC)
♦ The Access Fund (AF)
♦ Great Falls Trail Blazers (GFTB)
♦ Potomac Heritage Trail Association (PHTA),
♦ American Whitewater (AW)
♦ Int'l Mountain Bicycling Assoc, Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE)
♦ Great Falls Equestrian Society (GFES)
Park and planning agencies:
♦ Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)
♦ Fairfax County Countywide Non-Motorized Transportation Committee (NMTC)
♦ Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning
♦ Fairfax County Park and Planning, Planning and Development Division
♦ Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
♦ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III
Conservation Organizations:
♦ The Nature Conservancy, Maryland/District of Columbia Chapter (TNC)
♦ Potowmack Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS)
♦ Potomac Conservancy
♦
Neighborhood:
♦ Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA)
♦ Great Falls Park and Potomac River Association.
Posted by WiredNut at 12:55 PM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2005
Another Reminder: Great Falls Management Plan, Comment Period Ending Soon!
Bouldering at Hueco Tanks, TX
Photo by Matt Stark © 2005Great Falls, VA.- The National Park Service has released a draft General Management Plan (GMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Great Falls Park and is currently accepting public comments until December 15. Anyone who has ever climbed at Great Falls is encouraged to send comments to Audrey Calhoun, Superintendent, and copy greatfallsaccess@gmail.com.
The plan evaluates two alternatives for the park. The park’s preferred alternative (B), as written, would severely and unnecessarily restrict climbing in the park by making some popular climbing areas off-limits, forcing climbers to use a limited number of fixed anchors installed by the park, and possibly requiring climbers to compete for a limited number of climbing permits. The climbing community is concerned that the draft GMP, specifically the preferred alternative, was created on an unscientifically-substantiated belief that climbers, who are one of the smallest and most environmentally conscious group of park visitors, have a serious impact on the park’s resources and must be regulated.
Based on public input during the comment period, the park will prepare a Final GMP/EIS where they will either select Alternative A or B as the preferred course of action, modify the alternative based on comments received, or explore additional alternatives. For more information, please visit Friends of Great Falls.
The Management Plan can be found here.
A previous WiredNut item can be found here.
Great Falls is the closest climbing area to Washington DC and is an important regional climbing resource. Many climbing organizations in the DC Metro area have come together to create a unified voice on behalf of the climbing community under the umbrella of the Friends of Great Falls. This coalition includes representatives from Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, the Blue Ridge Section of the American Alpine Club, DC Outdoor Rock Climbers, Sheclimbs, Sportrock, and the Access Fund.
Posted by WiredNut at 12:03 PM | Comments (2)
October 05, 2005
Great Falls Management Plan Comment Period
Michelle on B3, @ the Long Wall, RRG, 11c.
Photo by Wes Allen © 2005Great Falls, VA.- The National Park Service is giving notice of a public comment period through mid-December to solicit comments on two proposed alternatives for future use of Great Falls National Park, VA. All climbers in the DC Metro area interested in preserving climbing access at GFNP are urged to respond to the comment period for the General Management Plan through mid-December. Submit your comments to the National Park Service. The Management Plan can be found here.
Posted by WiredNut at 04:21 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2005
Great Falls Management Plan Meeting Report
Great Falls, VA.- Scores of climbers attended the public comment meeting for Great Falls National Park. Vance Middleton, local climber, said climbers presented a unified, non-adversarial front. He comments:
"I don't think that the NPS had any idea about the number of climbers who would show up. I hope they don't just pay us lip service. They seemed unprepared to answer climber's questions"
The PATC GFNP Plan website reports:
"The Public Hearing September 17th at the Great falls National Park's Visitors Center will go down as a bonafide success for the newly banded Climbing Coalition of Greater Washington D.C.. With 3 weeks in which to organize a unified response from local climbers to the NPS General Management Plan, despite STEALTHY Publicity, 105 citizens voiced their concerns."
Posted by WiredNut at 03:53 PM | Comments (1)
September 14, 2005
Great Falls NP Management Plan Public Meeting
Great Falls, VA.- Climbing access at Great Falls is going to change. To voice your opinion on the proposed plan, attend the public meeting announced here.
Date: Saturday, Sep. 17 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: Great Falls Park Visitor Center
9200 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, Virginia Phone: (703) 285-2965
The Mountaineering Section of The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club has reviewed the Great Falls National Park proposed plans and reports the NPS preferred plan is unfavorable for climbers-closures and permitting of climbing are two possible alternatives. Visit the PATC site for more information on how you can contribute to the climbers response document.
Posted by WiredNut at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)