In recent history, most of the cliffs of Minnewaska have been closed to climbing, despite miles and miles of cliffs and many waterfalls. While the new master plan was drawn up in response to the park's newly aquired lands, it falls short of the hopes of the climbing community.
Here's what the Gunks Climbers Coalition, Board of Directors has to say:
... [the draft Master Plan] includes an extremely limited increase in climbing in the park to a handful of routes above the Peter's Kill at Dickie Barre. The ban within the park on climbing on the Palmaghatt Ravine multiple cliffs, Murrary Hill,Castle Point, Millbrook, Beacon Hill, and Lake Minnewaska cliffs continues. Climbing ban now also extends to the newly acquired lands including Awosting Reserve (Gertrudes Nose), the Shevchenko parcel crags, and Sam's Point. The ban on ice climbing within the park's numerous falls and flows continues as well. The climbing ban at Minnewaska represents the largest ban on climbing on public lands in the country.
emphasis added by MAC
-via http://www.gunksclimbers.org/
For More Info:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091020/NEWS/910200313
WHAT CAN I DO?
Write a Comment!
Let the Park Agencies know that you want more cliffs opened up to rock climbing in all of its forms!
***NEW**** Talking Points from GCC http://gunksclimbers.org/talkpoints.shtml
Contact:
Fred Williams, Deputy Director
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Bear Mountain, NY 10911
Phone: 845-786-2701
Fax: 845-786-2776
Email: fred.williams@oprhp.state.ny.us
Thomas B. Lyons, Director of Resource Management
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Empire State PlazaAgency Building 1 Albany, NY 12238
Phone: (518) 474-0409
Fax: (518) 474-7013
Email: thomas.lyons@oprhp.state.ny.us
Or E-mail Comments to: Minnewaska.Plan@oprhp.state.ny.us
-Chris Irwin