Rumbling Bald Park "Planning" (we got screwed)

The future of climbing at Rumbling Bald and the surrounding areas is at stake! A draft master plan for Chimney Rock State Park will be presented online for public review starting Nov. 29, and public comments on the plan will be accepted through Dec. 13, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.Comments will be considered for the final master plan expected to be completed in early 2011.
The plan limits climbing to parts of the southside of RB and some bouldering. The entire northside, Eagle Rock, Shumont, Ghost Town, Chimney Rock and World's Edge crags are off limits. Climbers are getting screwed BIG TIME!
Go to: greenways.com/chimneyrock to read the actual plan then SUBMIT COMMENTS critical of the climbing areas open vs. those closed!
Also go to carolinaclimbers.org for more info.

From SC, I stupidly thought my input would be moot, but now that it has gone bad I understand that anyone who thinks they may find themselves in the Gorge, and anyone who fears access retriction is contagious, needs to lend a few minutes to read the plan, at least the climbing part Chapter 10, page 24, and another few to respond to the call for input.
If this happens here it will be easier for other areas to restrict access without providing adequate arguments just by citing the Chimney Rock Plan.

as i wait for these ridiculously large files to download. Are comments limited to NC residents and do they state why climbing is not being allowed? Can we get the access fund involved?

T

anyone can comment.

comment! everyone! if you have ever been to the bald or even considered going.

Anyone been having trouble posting a comment?

Also, I find two sentences in the plan of particular note:
(1) "Most of the desired climbing areas in the Chimney Rock State Park study area are located in nationally significant natural heritage areas with sensitive ecosystems worthy of protection." Could anyone enumerate here what the "nationally significant natural heritage areas" might be? The Chimney Rock attraction is one obvious - and dubious - example. What about the North Side, Ghost Town, etc.?

(2) "Lands owned by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation presently used for rock climbing are already being negatively impacted by this historic use." Does this just refer to areas within Chimney Rock State Park, or does it also include other climbing areas around the state? Also, does anyone know specifically what the "negative impacts" might be?

they are referring to the shoddy state the rumbling bald climbing trail system is in. ever walk up to cereal?

Yes, I've been up that trail, but it's been a while. Still, I would hope they had a better reason to limit climbers to just the Bald than "They don't build trails well". That's something that can be mitigated by some good trail work. Hello, Adopt-a-Crag day!

That was the gist of my comment. Climbing access is no more "impactful" than hiking access if a well managed system of trails is maintained and a strict camouflaged bolts policy is enforced, et cetera. There is no reasonable reason for a blanket ban. Everyone comment!!!!

(2) "Lands owned by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation presently used for rock climbing are already being negatively impacted by this historic use." Does this just refer to areas within Chimney Rock State Park, or does it also include other climbing areas around the state? Also, does anyone know specifically what the "negative impacts" might be?

I think this more than a jab at poor trail conditions. A sentence like this can be used to put a haltaitus on whatever they see fit, with regards to climbing. This line is very important, and either needs to be replaced with a more specific representation of what is implied, with citations of examples, and a detailed description of how climber impacts are so much more serious than your average visitor's, or removed entirely. My bet is they will fight to keep it vague, shutting the door on further discussion.
Like many climbers, aside from my foot traffic on the trail, I usually leave a place in better condition than I find it. Maybe I and those like me don't really exist...

Here's what comes to mind for me. The big knob at Pilot Mountain is a national natural landmark, a status that is (according to the park) endangered by climbers nearby on the chossy cliffband where climbing is allowed. There are not that many NLL's, admittedly, in NC, but another is Stone Mountain, NC, where folks slab climb in the winter. And it seems they climb directly on the landmark.

Comment up a storm.

If you're in NC, write your state senators and representatives. Write to the local government folks in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.

There is enough rock in Hickory Nut Gorge to last many lifetimes, enough to create a world class climbing destination, worthy to be the crown jewel of Southeast climbing. If areas of north-facing rock are opened, park traffic and income (from camping , firewood, etc.) will increase. And the economies of the surrounding communities will benefit, as well.

By the way, the current draft seems to close areas of the park where climbing has taken place already for decades! In addition, as the numbers of climbers increase, an inevitable reality, the impact on the limited area left open to climbing will only get worse. Opening more cliffs to climbing will spread the load out over more area, reducing spot impact, allowing the Rumbling Bald area to recover.

Act now!

Comments submitted.

TDog wrote: "Public Review and Comment Requested > Residents of North Carolina are encouraged to view and comment on the DRAFT master plan for Chimney Rock State Park. The document will be available for review beginning November 29, 2010. The public comment period will remain open until December 13 , 2010." Looks like they don't want everyone's opinion.

residency be damned. if you care about Rumbling Bald and good park planning- COMMENT!

i submitted my comments via web just now. this is incredibly frustrating because we climbers lobbied for the park's creation. many of you will remember our 'call to action' on here and other websites, when we were able to mobilize a signicant effort to secure lynchpin parcels and to convince our state officials that we needed help to keep our climbing opportunities open. we reached out and partnered (or so we thought), with conservation organizations, other rec user groups, and the state parks; we did this on good faith that we would have a strong voice in the future climbing opportunites of the hickory nut gorge. this blows!

Make some comments. Their reasoning is poor to restrict climbing at the north side and round top. They are not completely privately owned.

^ apparently, my spelling goes all to hell when i'm frustrated.

Access Fund has set up an easy-to-use advocacy tool on our website to respond to this issue.

If you haven't already sent a letter or submitted comments through the web form, please take action today. It only takes 30 seconds to submit a letter with this tool.

TAKE ACTION: Protect Climbing Access at Chimney Rock State Park