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Vandalism Durango, Turtle Lake

Bob Dergay · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 101

That's a bummer they couldn't make a match....
Regarding the other native american's being on the look-out, something tells me the taggers aren't climbers or run in climbing circles... but who knows?

Someone to should get the FLC newspaper to do a story about it- so even if these douches aren't caught, they'll know they fucked up royally....

Kalil Oldham · · Jersey City, NJ · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55
Sir chuffs alot wrote: someone from the East Coast doesn't understand something and instead of just admitting they don't understand something that attempt to use politically correct bullshit from the East Coast to steer the conversation in the way he feels fit.
For the record, there's a lot that I don't understand. But know mean-spirited mocking when I see it.

Sir chuffs alot wrote: there have been several local climbing areas closed over the past 10 years because of native American trash.
Ouch.

I think the point's been made, and I don't want to fan the flames, so I'll sign out.

Good luck, everyone, with the clean-up. It sucks to lose a day of climbing to such efforts.
Tate L · · Durango CO · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 56

So supposedly the plate number I supplied was partial? Pretty sure I got the whole plate. Anyway I will not be able to make it tomorrow but Steven if you PM me I can throw a few bucks at you to help with supplies, or anyone else who is going to clean up tomorrow.

Markert · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

I'll be there in the morning too. Sent out a text to some of the local youth as well. Everyone should see how important this is. We can team up and get these boulders looking like new everyone.
Durango, let's do this...

(Thanks for the heads up on the Snot, Chris. If this doesn't totally work tomorrow, we'll get our hands on some of that.)

Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

Just bought $114 worth of supplies. If anybody has any scrub brushes, please bring since I only have 4. I appreciate everyone's help!

rwmason · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 5

I spoke with FLC campus PD and they said w/o a full plate # or parking permit # there was nothing they could do. I also spoke with a friend from the Herald, so he may do a piece tomorrow while we're cleaning. I have a small group coming out tomorrow as well to clean, see ya'll around 10am!

Bear Grillis · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 20

The kids' nationality or a presumed nationality should have never been brought up. All I know is casinos are freaking awesome!

J Q · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 50
Bear Grillis wrote:The kids' nationality or a presumed nationality should have never been brought up. All I know is casinos are freaking awesome!
Totally, criminals nationality should never be brought up, unless you are interested in catching them.
Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up. We had a group of about 10. The Durango climbing community never ceases to amaze me.

That said, we did pretty good on the previously existing tags. Tate did an amazing job on "success" and "snoopy." They are almost gone and kind of blend in now. There was a massive Indian head made with blue and pink though. Not sure if it was there previously, but I'm pretty sure it's even more recent, so these guys are most likely repeat offenders. When I was there Thursday, I did not see this, and there was a group from Rock Lounge climbing at the time, so I figured they would have announced it if it was there then. Because of the color, it stands out. We were able to break up the surface paint, but it's deep in the rock. Adam and Robbie took pictures, if you guys could post them, that would be awesome.

We speculated that it would be a good idea to set up a donation at the Rock lounge to rent a generator and pressure washer to finish it off. I know this sounds aggressive, but if it doesn't get fully cleaned, two things could happen. It's close to the road, so if non climbers were to see this, they might assume that climbers as a whole don't respect the land which would snowball into access issues elsewhere. Another effect could be that others believe that it is ok to trash this place. You've seen people tagging on top of others before, and I don't want Turtle Lake to look like Brooklyn (couldn't resist, chill, just words).

rwmason · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 5
Markert · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

Really great meeting a bunch of new, awesome, durangoans. I'll get some pics up when I get them off my camera!
We have some elephant snot on the way! And we can rent a generator and power washer too. Thanks to the amazingness of Chris Schulte and the American Alpine Club, we got a sweet donation to get that stuff off!

I love when people come together for stuff like this. Whatever level we climb, style we prefer, or ethics we acquired while learning, at least we all care about the good stuff at the root of climbing!

Adam

S.Mckinna · · CaƱon City, CO · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 1,725

I am sorry to here of the vandalism. It is great that the climbers of Durango are taking fast action to such an awesome area. I wish I was around to help, hope that the painting stops!

Markert · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

OKAY! So Chris and the AAC sent us some Elephant snot! Let's say we meet back at Turtle Lake on tomorrow morning (may 2nd) around 10 or so. Bring pads and climbing stuff too so we can do some bouldering while this snot settles in for like 45 minutes.

Lot's of water (A power washer will be really weird up there since w need a reservoir to make it work) and some scrub brushes and we'll see if this does the trick!

Turtle lake around 10. Let's scrub and climb!

Round two...

ADAM

Johnkelley Kelley · · Juneau, AK · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 265

Too bad about the paint...

In the mid 90's there was still grass growing under the boulders. What happened? The first act of vandalism I saw there was when someone dug up that bad landing under the boulder by the road. Bob, Chris remember that? It sucked digging that hole, in the dark, to replace the bone cracker...

chris schulte · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2008 · Points: 280

HAHAHA! John, I still tell that story.

Bob Dergay · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 101

Holy Shit-- I'd forgotten about that!! That was some epic shit!

Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

It got hit again, although this time not as bad. It's gotta be the same guys, because the same symbols are on the street sign. I'm thinking about investing in a trail camera since these dicks are hitting the same boulders, but it could be a while before they go after it again. I'll be out of town this weekend, but there might be a few folks going out Saturday to scrub.

Tag 1.

Tag 2.

sherb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 60
Kalil Oldham wrote: I think these comments are intended to be funny. To me they read like mean-spirited mocking, not toward these four individuals who trashed your climbing area, but toward an entire cultural group. I get that you're insulted and offended by these acts, but I don't see what's gained by the snarky invoking of cultural stereotypes. Sorry to hear about your boulders; good luck cleaning off that paint.
Whoa I just read the entire thread my previous post inspired. I didn't mean to invoke any negative cultural stereotype, but from starting out climbing in the Red River Gorge a few portions were closed by the US/KY/local govn't as an archeological site because Native Americans had left artwork and other pieces deemed to have value by Americans.

Since the OP stated the artwork producers were Native American, I was just commenting that perhaps IF it was more Native American seeming, and not spray paint of Homer simpson then perhaps no one would mind or could even deem this to have archeological importance.

Ironically the other person being attacked for not being PC is also one of the people cleaning up the damage.
johnnymuir · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 20
bdboulder wrote:something tells me the taggers aren't climbers or run in climbing circles... but who knows?
They usually never are. We've had several out-of-this-world caliber skateparks in New Jersey closed due to vandalism, and at least in the case of one of those parks, my local park, we know for sure it wasnt skaters doing the graffiti. I know theres exceptions, like the guy from the thread about the flatiron "summit register" but most people who climb/skate/surf whatever respect the playground that they derive so much joy from.

Ana Tine wrote:I was just commenting that perhaps IF it was more Native American seeming, and not spray paint of Homer simpson then perhaps no one would mind or could even deem this to have archeological importance.
Thats a dangerous road to go down. What constitutes archeological importance or cultural significance? The Simpsons is the longest running animated show ever. Thats culturally significant I would say, but I sure dont want Homer Simpson showing up in the backcountry. I think the time where humans can leave art behind in nature is long gone, because there are just too many of us. Besides, would cave paintings be as fascinating to us as they are if they were as common today as cheeseburger wrappers will be to future scientists studying our culture? I find rarity makes things more interesting.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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