Sign in box for Tahquitz/Suicide

There used to be a sign in box at the base of the Suicide trail. It disappeared a few years ago but I've begun to think about putting a new one out there again, and one for Tahquitz.

People who sign the register would list the date, approximate time, the route/area they plan to climb, and the number in their party. This would allow later arriving parties to better determine where they go to climb to avoid a line or other people.

I'd probably place the Tahquitz box at the base of Lunch Rock. The Suicide box would go at the junction right before you turn left for Buttress of Cracks or go up to the Weeping Wall, etc.

It's always a bummer to waste time searching for a vacant route or area.

Let's hear your opinions on the matter.

Good idea!

Guy:

I'd probably not head there on a weekend in the first place. But if I were up there and I saw that 5 parties are all hanging out by Flower, I'd probably go elsewhere.

I'm not certain I'll even do this, so thanks for your opinion. I know you've been coming up here for a while and that means a lot.

sure thing Ryan... your lucky you can march up there on weekdays.

Ryan, I would ignore the box. I'd hike up there and do something else if my first choice was occupied. Just like in the good ol' days. :) A "sign-in" box makes the climbing sound "regulated." Reservations, please!

I'd expect weekends to be crowded. I alwsys try to get an early start, regardless of what day it is and I try to have an alternate route in mind.

Seems like the "old guard" (ha) consensus is a no-go.

Frank, I'd probably do the same. I may or may not sign in, but I'd like to know where people are so I won't go there!

My reasoning for this is there have been a few times at Tahquitz where I've walked all the way over to the NW Recess and there have been several groups climbing and at the base. I'd rather not waste that time if I knew there were people there. Same thing for Open Book area. Even on weekdays. Once I went over to the Le Dent Pinnacle area and there was another party there! What are the odds?

I didn't imagine it to be a regulation type thing, more a convenience. There are tons of routes worth checking out. If people weren't waiting in lines, maybe they'd check them out more often and people would spread out. I once made a whole list of quality alternates to the over-done "classics" to recommend for when I worked at Nomad...

Ryan Strickland wrote: Frank, I'd probably do the same. I may or may not sign in, but I'd like to know where people are so I won't go there!

Thanks for your input guys! It doesn't sound like anybody would use it so I won't do it.

Ryan... wasn't the old sign in deal more for SAR? You know... party of three in at 10:45am still not back at 10pm?

Or for figuring how many climbers use the trail, resources etc. ?

I'm not sure Guy. I know that when I'd go up there, I'd sign in, say where I was going, and then cross my name out when I returned. I guess that does seem like SAR info. It seems impractical for SAR use though... it's not like somebody from SAR checked it each night to make sure all was well.

Most times the rock had more climbers climbing than the sign in would indicate. I never used it, except to make cryptic remarks, or to let my pals know where to find me. I think Clark was the only one climbing at suicide for a while... according to the book...

I used to sign in at the old register as Jimmy Page or Chuck Pratt

Not sure how helpful it would be

The kiosk originally went up when there was an abortive attempt in the 80's to force climbers get wilderness permits for both Tahquitz and Suicide.

We made a point of never signing it.

There's no interest by the FS in replacing it.