Currahee Trail Ethic/Leave No Trace
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I had a couple questions about Currahee Stewardship- |
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1. The static line for the gully should be replaced if it's missing. There are typically two sections. Both near the bottom. Not sure why someone would remove it and not replace it |
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There was just a trail day recently, maybe these trail markings were part of that? Could also be surveying. |
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TomCaldwell wrote:As for the static line, walk around the small wall. There is a perfectly good trail that goes around it. Reducing all erosion and safety concerns. It takes about the same amount of time when considering how slow a new person would be descending the gullyGood point Tom. I've actually tested this theory out and got up/down in basically the same amount of time going either way. Unfortunately most folks don't hike up from the bottom or walk around the side..... |
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We exited around the small wall; for whatever reason I didn't even think about descending that way. I will also try your way up from the backside climber's trail next time. Seems better for a lot of reasons. |
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Tom- (or anyone)- do you think if "we" organized better, we could push harder for a road closure? I assume it's used legitimately for the Cell Tower, but do you know if there's been any serious attempt in the recent past? I assume Lake Russell WMA has the lowest tier of jurisdiction. Is this something that could be presented to the SECC? |
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Luke R 84 wrote:Tom- (or anyone)- do you think if "we" organized better, we could push harder for a road closure? I assume it's used legitimately for the Cell Tower, but do you know if there's been any serious attempt in the recent past? I assume Lake Russell WMA has the lowest tier of jurisdiction. Is this something that could be presented to the SECC?You read this forum much lately? If you are serious, you need to get in touch with the same crew that addressed the Tallulah peregrine issue. Will C., Paul B., Scott P., Michael C., Mark O., etc. Locals. Those fellas can help you and know how to get things done. |
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I think Mark is a good point man for Curahee. One of the more active and motivated locals these days. |
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There is camping on the road earlier down the road. This means that another gate would have be installed to block the upper section which is cell phone tower access. Honestly, I don't think we will make a good case to eliminate another user group. I still think it is a good idea to make them aware of a means to stop trash and graffiti. I am sure it will be met with strong objections from the locals since this seems to be an evening hang out. They can still get there by hiking! |
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I doubt other user groups are interested in closing the road. It has been closed in the past but it seems like the powers that be have been maintaining the road better. Best thing to do is voluntarily park on Hwy 184 as Tom suggests |
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There was a push to close the road a while back. After Band of Brothers came out the Mt became even more of an attraction so it's not likely to gain traction. It remains one of my favorite places to take new climbers because you can show them the importance of LNT ethics. We usually spend 1/3 of our time there picking up and hauling out garbage. And anyone who goes there can attest....it hardly makes a dent. As for approach, I seldom steer people to the gully. I have lowered noobs down Pepsi on a Munter. And we always put a sign up top that we are climbing below. |
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I was there one day at the buzzard wall belaying a new leader. I started seeing objects being tossed down just to my left near dust bowl. I hollered that people were down here and the thrown objects started coming closer to our position with a few right above my head. If I hadn't been belaying, I would have run up the hill and greeted them. People will try to injure you there. It reminds me of how tourists throw objects at climbers at Crowders. I only once saw a ranger go after them, which was awesome. |
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TomCaldwell wrote:I was there one day at the buzzard wall belaying a new leader. I started seeing objects being tossed down just to my left near dust bowl. I hollered that people were down here and the thrown objects started coming closer to our position with a few right above my head.I would have beaten seven shades of shit out of 'em. |
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As a follow up, the Currahee cleanup folks have a Gofundme to help pay for the graffiti removal chemical. |