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Gunks AAC campground update?

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Well gee whiz willy Moses mother!!!! I'll say it again:

The Adirondacks suck! Routes suck! People are rude! It's way too far to drive up from NYC. Stay away!

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
J. Serpico wrote:Or just climb in a head net and long sleeves and pants.
This
Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60
Kevin Heckeler wrote: It was $80 just a few years ago, then went to $85, $90, and now $95.
Edit: I should have finished reading the thread before going on to research and write the following - grrrr! I see it was addressed almost immediately. Oh well... I will leave it as written.

That is not correct information. One can view the changes by using the WayBack Machine, at archive.org/web/web.php

The most recent change was last year, when the cost of a climbing membership went up by $5, with a basic membership at $55, and $40 to add on climbing. However, it also gave the member the option to bicycle as well, whereas previously one paid $15 for the bike pass separately from climbing. Members were also given at least a six months advance notice, where they could renew their membership at current rates and save that bit of cash.

On December, 26th, 2013, the cost for a one person annual membership was $55, and $35 for Climbing, totaling $90

On September, 10th, 2010, the cost for a one person annual membership was $55, and $35 for Climbing, totaling $90

On March 28th, 2009, the cost for a one person annual membership was $50, and $35 for Climbing, totaling $85

On February 15th, 2006, the cost for a one person annual membership was $50, and $35 for Climbing, totaling $85

On April 23rd, 2004, the cost for a one person annual membership was $50, and $35 for Climbing, totaling $85

On April 28th, 2003, the cost for a one person annual membership was $50, and $35 for Climbing, totaling $85

On December 12th, 2001, the cost for a one person annual membership was $40, and $30 for Climbing, totaling $70.

On June 20th, 2000, the cost for a one person annual membership was $40, and $30 for Climbing, totaling $70. This is the earliest data available from the Wayback

So....it seems that somewhere between the end of 2001 and Spring of 3003, the price went up, from $70 to $85.

The next increase, of $5 occurred sometime between the spring of 2009 and fall, 2010. to $90.

The next increase went into effect in May, 2104, with the increase of $5, but again additionally one can bicycle(and horseback ride).

I know it can seem like fees go up and up, especially as we age and time seems to spin faster, but the facts are there for anyone who wants to check.

As well, one must consider the additional expense incurred with land acquisitions and other changes such as a new Visitor Center, as well as the simple cost increases of things in general, from paper and printing to insurance and fuel. One could say those were extranious costs - the purchase of the Rosendale Water Works area, the Humpo March area.... and that the Visitor Center was "just fine" tucked into that old building on the other side of the ridge. But that is not an opinion that is well-considered. One might even suggest it is a straw man issue.
Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Don't forget the increasing cost of emptying and cleaning the outhouses from all the assholes!

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

If I understand what I heard a couple years ago, the MP did not buy the Rosendale Water Works land - they loaned money to the GCC to acquire it. Loan is being repaid over a few years.

BigA · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 0

Gunkiemike, that is incorrect. Mohonk purchased the land with help from OSI. The GCC pledged 50k to help with that purchase.

And happiegrl, the visitor center is not an excuse for fee increases. Even the Preserve maintains that they built the Visitor Center out of an entirely separate fundraising campaign. Now whether that is true or not...

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

There's never an "excuse" to increase userfees, but there are reasons. I did not know that the VC was built with a funds raised specific to the purpose - that makes sense to do, with something you know is going to be a large expense.

I was thinking about the cancellation fee policy the other day and it occurred to me that it is actually a good thing, on the whole, that they are high. Imagine if it were very easy/low cost risk to cancel even at the last minute/ A few people with plenty of money would book up sites in advance, maybe even every single weekend, knowing they could dump them last minute if they didn't need them. If the fee to do so weren't prohibitive, there are plenty who would have no problem cancelling last second, or simply not even bothering to cancel.

They'd book up as a default, and people planning their trips would get "campsite full" despite the fact that it would end up not being the case. Traveling from a distance, it is too great a risk to book flights, take time off work, rent a car, and *hope* something opens at the last minute for camping.

The area can be beautiful in a rain, though I know that if someone specifically wants to climb, that can be problematic. Photography in fog, the brilliance after a fresh rain - wonderful, not to mention an increased chance of seeing turtles and those wonderful orange efts, which tend to come out after a good rinsing of the woods. Besides, the weather is often wrong or it rains on one area and not another. Plenty of NYC people base their decision to come up on the day's previous forecast. Maybe they will come up anyway, because of the heavy penalty for cancel, and get in a great day they had thought would be a wash!

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Happiegrrrl wrote:I was thinking about the cancellation fee policy the other day and it occurred to me that it is actually a good thing, on the whole, that they are high. Imagine if it were very easy/low cost risk to cancel even at the last minute/ A few people with plenty of money would book up sites in advance, maybe even every single weekend, knowing they could dump them last minute if they didn't need them. If the fee to do so weren't prohibitive, there are plenty who would have no problem cancelling last second, or simply not even bothering to cancel. They'd book up as a default, and people planning their trips would get "campsite full" despite the fact that it would end up not being the case.
Unfortunately this is exactly what happens every season at City of Rocks in Idaho but even worse. It's cheaper to no-show than to cancel.
Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

Well, here one gets 50% back if cancelled seven days in advance, so up to that timing, hopefully people will choose to formally cancel, which will at least help people who are considering the upcoming weekend.

There could still be the person who books each weekend for the season and feels that cancelling 8 days out is an acceptable cost, but if someone tends toward that sort of behavior, maybe the manager has the ability to refuse to honor the balance of reservations, refund them, refuse to accept reservations again for a specified time, in an attempt to dissuade them from the poor behavior.

Chris Duca · · Dixfield, ME · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 2,330

Soooo, is Camp Slime still open? I am heading there Wednesday and would like to stay there!

Lisa Andrews · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 10

Camp Slime is closed. MUA is still open.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Is Slime' just 'closed' for right now..or is this historic site closed forever now? Just wondered as I always hope jump in there when passing through now and then for a one or two day climb. Not a local,,don't get out there much anymore.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Closed forever now that the new AAC campground is completed (although this year it won't open till mid-May). Closing Slime was part of the new campground deal.

Jim Lawyer · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 6,116

$38.00 per night (for non-members)? Am I reading that right? The campground in the New is $7.00 per night per person.

Ed Bustamante · · accord · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 60

What a shame camp slime was my second home for a good part ofthe 90s .I have several camp sites on the roundout creek not far from the trapps that may common line this year.

Jim Lawyer · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 6,116
Jake Jones wrote:Jim, I asked that question on the first page of this thread. Apparently that's the cost per site for a night, not per person. So that averages out to $9.50 a person if you get four people- which makes it more reasonable. I expect to pay $10 a night anywhere I go.
My bad...it pays to read :-) Thanks.

I know I'm late to the thread, but I still think it's kinda steep. For instance, Shelf Road is $12 / night (up to 6 people and 2 vehicles). The AAC campground in the NRG is $7 / person / night. If I stay by myself at NRG, it's $7; in the Gunks, $38.
Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Jim Lawyer wrote:I know I'm late to the thread, but I still think it's kinda steep. For instance, Shelf Road is $12 / night (up to 6 people and 2 vehicles). The AAC campground in the NRG is $7 / person / night. If I stay by myself at NRG, it's $7; in the Gunks, $38.
You need to seek the blessing of the patron saints of the Gunks before suggesting such things. Shame on thee!!!

Unfortunately they'll probably still get booked solid and there won't be any monetary motivation for them to lower the cost. If history's any guide, the cost will only creep up. Plenty here are willing to justify that increase as a cost of doing business ("inflation" they call it, potato / potatoe).



"I've got this thing and it's fucking golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for fuckin' nothing"
Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60
Jim Lawyer wrote: My bad...it pays to read :-) Thanks. I know I'm late to the thread, but I still think it's kinda steep. For instance, Shelf Road is $12 / night (up to 6 people and 2 vehicles). The AAC campground in the NRG is $7 / person / night. If I stay by myself at NRG, it's $7; in the Gunks, $38.
You are comparing locations which vary considerably. If you review the accommodations in the region where the Gunks campground is located, you will see that the cost is within the range of most other campgrounds and NP hostel, and much lower than a hotel/motel/B&B. There IS a campground or two not so far away that are a lower cost, and I would suggest researching to consider them. The drive will be farther, but the cost savings may outweigh that for many people. (Note in General, and not to the person quoted: Please don't ask me to provide the info - I have done so in the past and it is quite easy to find on one's own.)

The MUA is still a free alternative, and I think that is wonderful. I had always been under the impression that it, too, would be closed when the C/G opened.
Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Happiegrrrl wrote:The MUA is still a free alternative, and I think that is wonderful. I had always been under the impression that it, too, would be closed when the C/G opened.
They specifically did state somewhere the MUA was to close. It's possible with the new campground opening late Spring this year it's being left open until then(?).
losbill · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 130
Happiegrrrl wrote: The MUA is still a free alternative, and I think that is wonderful. I had always been under the impression that it, too, would be closed when the C/G opened.
Terri now I am confused. Well at least more confused than usual. Based upon what I read last fall I thought the MUA was gone once they broke ground on the AAC. Too old and addled to sift through all that is the internet. So did I read your post correctly? When I come down next week will I be able to camp at the MUA? Thanks Bill
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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