Luke Distelhorst on Luna Park, 5.11a/b, Newhalem. Since 2003, climbers have been adhering to a voluntary "moratorium" on the development of new climbs and new bouldering areas in the Skagit Gorge and other parts of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. One area in particular, just outside the town of [...]
Spada Reservoir from the air. Photo from Cliff Mass Weather Blog. Static Point is located on land which is managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR manages their land to generate timber revenue which is intended to support public schools. Access to the area utilizes roads maintained for [...]
The Washington Climbers Coalition helped the Trust for Public Land (TPL) buy Leavenworth's Sam Hill crags in April, 2005. A 40-acre parcel was for sale and at risk for residential development, seriously threatening access. Crags included in the purchase are Sam Hill, The Underhill, Whoopsie Pillar, Ski Tracks Crack, the Fridge Boulder, and Trundle [...]
Ad appearing in Rock and Ice Magazine In June, 2004, a longtime Spokane area climber raised concerns about issues including the presence of two artificial (bolted on) holds, hold chipping, and retrobolting (including retrobolting gear-protected routes) at the Dishman crag in Spokane. An employee of the land owning irrigation district [...]
Over the winter 2004-2005, rockslides damaged the Clear Creek road (FS 2050) in three locations. Citing a budget crisis, the Forest Serviced announced that the road was not a high enough priority to justify undertaking repairs. They blockaded the road. In response, climbers embarked on a letter writing and telephone campaign. The Forest Service reversed [...]
