The following is an excerpt taken directly from the American Mountain Guides Association. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado is threatening to ban guiding in the park because "guided climbing does not support the goal for the inner canyon zone of providing a visitor experience that is challenging, self-reliant, and adventurous."
I am personally shocked at the comment and the gesture. This decision could set a precedent which could impact me directly as a climbing guide for another national park: Yosemite National Park.
See below for ways you can help -- we especially need the park service to hear from people who are not guides. Thank you for your support!
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The National Park Service wants to ban guided climbing and prohibit members of the public from being able to climb with a professional guide in one of our country's most adventurous wilderness climbing areas. This is a national threat, which could set a debilitating precedent for guided climbing access in National Parks across the country. We are requesting your urgent support to help preserve guided climbing access in the Black Canyon as well as in other National Parks the U.S.
Here is how you can help:
Send an email to [email protected] today using the talking points below. Our goal is to have 500 people (who are not guides) contact Ken Stahlnecker opposing the Park's plan to ban guided climbing in the Black Canyon and urging the Park to preserve guiding climbing access in this unique venue.
Dear Ken Stahlnecker,
Chief, Resource Stewardship and Science
National Park Service,
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
I am writing to urge you to keep guided climbing access available to the American public. Along with Yosemite National Park and Red Rocks National Conservation Area, the Black Canyon is one of only a few climbing venues in the country offering big wall climbing opportunities. There is often a scarcity of willing and adequate climbing partners to tackle the bold and remote terrain of the Black. Because climbing requires a team of two unless one is free soloing, my options for experiencing this unique wilderness area will be substantially reduced or eliminated altogether if guided climbing is banned in the Inner Canyon Zone.
Having the option to climb with a professional guide is necessary for me to be able to experience the vertical wilderness in the Black Canyon. Partnering with a professional guide will enhance my opportunity for an experience of adventure, challenge and self-reliance. I see no difference between climbing with a professional guide and climbing with a non-guide partner who happens to be stronger or more experienced than me. It is not uncommon for climbing partners to be of varying levels of experience. Climbing successfully in the Black always requires the self-reliance, commitment and personal fortitude of both climbing partners regardless of their varying experience levels.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide my opinion on this important matter.
wow it seems like if someone knows they aren't quite experienced enough to go out on their own, or would feel more comfortable visiting a new area with someone who knows the area, it would be SMART to hire a guide. Sending and email... hope it helps
Posted by: Erin | 10/20/2011 at 10:59 PM
Sweet, thanks Erin! The fact is, we don't take the adventure out of anything. We are trained professionals, up on the techniques of our times, who share those with our clients. The same as a tennis or soccer coach, really. Will we be banning tennis coaches next?
Posted by: Lyra | 10/21/2011 at 09:22 AM