Recent Events

Not sure what's in the wind right now, but there's been an unusually high amount of news relating to climbing access challenges in the Bitterroot, the west, the country the world. This of course hits close to home as we've seen an escalation in vandalism along with threats to climbing and climbers at Mill this year. This blog has remained intentionally quiet on that front so as not to undermine efforts being made to remedy the situation. However, it is important to point out that we are actively working with both the Forest Service and law enforcement to deal with several issues, including the ongoing covering of the trail, the destruction of the erosion control at the base of the climbs, and the theft and destruction of hardware. We will announce relevant news and progress as it becomes available.

Until then, we encourage you to email any incidents or observations to the g-mail address of millcreeknorthrim. Where possible, please include specific dates, times, and pictures if you have them. Such documentation will assist with our efforts. If you prefer, you can leave your information in a comment on this post. Specify in the comment if you want it published or not. We won't publish incident reports unless you say to.

If there's comfort in numbers, or if reading the following fires you up and motivates you to take action, like joining a coalition, the Access Fund, or signing a petition, then here's a summary of some of the recent items in the news that have, in part, sparked this post:

Congress to vote on big mining that will destroy Oak Flat climbing area in Arizona. more...

Long-running Southeast Triple Crown bouldering series loses one of its crowns. more...

Public access in jeopardy for historic Stanage Edge in England's Peak District. more... Petition link (This is like speaking up for the 'Gunks or Yosemite. It only takes 30 seconds to add your voice.)

On a positive note, Ten Sleep climbers have just formed the Bighorn Climbers' Coalition "dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting access to climbing resources in the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn Basin of Wyoming." Visit the site here. Read about its formation on DPM here.  Ten Sleep is a favorite destination for Montana climbers, offering world-class sport climbing. If you want to help out, consider becoming a coalition member. It's only $25 and will go toward establishing use plans and helping to ensure Ten Sleep climbing remains open for all.

Reel Rock Film Tour Coming

It's that time of the year again! Reel Rock 2013 is on its way. October 3rd at 7:00pm at the University Center Theater. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. You can get tickets at the UM Outdoor Program or the Source at the UC. Hope to see you all there!!

More info at reelrocktour.com

Protect our Climbing - Join the Access Fund

As we consider how to respond to this summer's anonymous acts committed against the trail system at Mill, there is one thing each and every one of us can do, and that's support the Access Fund. For those unfamiliar with it, the Access Fund is a national climbing advocacy organization that works on behalf of all climbers to maintain and obtain access to climbing areas. The Access Fund has been in existence since 1991. It is well-organized and has numerous resources to assist climbers whose local areas are at risk of closure, or otherwise threatened.  The Fund also supports conservation efforts, and joined with the Bitterroot Climbers Coalition and the Montana Conservation Corps for trail maintenance in Blodgette during August of last year as reported here.

As with any crisis it's easy to feel disconnected when it happens somewhere "out there." But now we are looking at a threat to our own resources and climbs in the Bitterroot. The Access Fund may very well play a significant role in our ability to keep climbing available at the North Rim in the years to come.

I just renewed my membership. I encourage everyone to consider joining, renewing, or offering some kind of support. In doing so, you well help preserve climbing both throughout the country, and here at home. A $35 annual membership, or whatever you can afford, is a step toward ensuring that the North Rim at Mill Creek continues to be a destination we can all enjoy.

Access Fund Web Site: http://www.accessfund.org/

-Ken Turley