Written by James Berry with help from Bruce Junek
The next coalition meeting will be Tuesday, April 19, 7:00PM at the Gaslight in Rockerville. There were several important topics covered at the March meeting and we will want move forward on several topics.
Frank Sanders presented several important issues regarding changes that may take place at Devils Tower National Monument. The first of which is a proposal to add Bearlodge National Historic Landmark to the Tower’s name. As Frank stressed at the meeting the designation of historic landmark could significantly impact climbing at the Tower. Many areas that are designated historic landmark have serious limitations on climbing, such as Cave Rock where climbing is prohibited, and Hueco Tanks where climbing has been seriously restricted. The name change does not take an act of congress and can be done by the Secretary of Interior, Gale Norton. Help preserve rock climbing on Devil’s Tower by writing her to express your opinions. Here are some hints:
Tell her rock climbing has a long history at Devils Tower. Just as preserving the first stake ladder route is important for history, preserving the historical and ongoing access to all other routes for other climbers today and in the future is equally important.
Non-climbing Devils Tower visitors are always friendly to rock climbers, non-climbing visitors are very interested in what we climb, and love to ask rock climbers questions. In all my times at Devils Tower I have never had any other visitor complain or say anything negative about my impact. Instead, people say they took photos, or stood for awhile and watched us climb, and congratulate us for that we just accomplished.
Americans are terribly overweight and unhealthy. The National Monuments and Parks need to encourage users to get out and interact with nature and the environment. Rock climbing does not wear out or damage Devils Tower. It is healthy for rock climbers, and inspiring for others to watch.
Her address is:
Secretary of the Interior
Gale Norton
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Congresswoman Barbara Cubin of Wyoming has introduced legislation, H.R. 1154, that would block the name change. Contact Representative Cubin and also tell her what you think.
Frank also stressed that members of the coalition should contact the Tower Superintendent, Lisa Eckert at Lisa_Eckert@nps.gov or 307-467-5283. Frank suggested that you tell her what you think about climbing at the Tower, ask Superintendent Eckert if the name change would impact climbing, and if you can be kept informed of any changes that may effect climbing at the Tower.
Mande Shaykett is the BHCC Tower liason. She suggested the coalition should invite the Tower’s climbing ranger Scott Brown to attend the coalition meeting in May. It was also suggested that the venue be changed to an Auditorium so that the meeting could be more formal.
The Knots and Nuts event in conjunction with the Hardrocker Climbing Day will be held on April the 24th, 9:30 until 3:00, at the South Sea’s area of Mount Rushmore. Sue Scheirbeck and Eric Sutton have planned four demonstration stations. We would like to thank Peter Lev of Exum Guides for supplying the insurance for this event. Come out and enjoy the day climbing and meet some young and up and coming climbers. Any climbers under 18 are required to have parental consent for this event. In the case of rain this event will be held the following weekend.
Pumpfest coordinator Rich Barry brought up several issues regarding the Pumpfest. First of all, was the issue of insurance due to the loss of the Access Fund’s insurance. Possible options for insurance include using insurance from one of the guiding services such as Sylvan Rocks, Devils Tower Lodge, or Exum Guides. The insurance issue should be one of the top priorities for the April meeting. Other issues that were brought up by Rich Barry were the event format, the number of routes, and route anchors. These issues should also be discussed at the April meeting.
Paul Duvall is in a Mexican hospital in critical but stable condition after being robbed and brutally beaten near Monterrey, Mexico. Paul and his partner Karen have spent many wonderful winters living and climbing in Mexico at El Potrero Chico.
Paul spent a week in an emergency hospital, and has been transferred to another hospital in San Luis Potosi. He has regained consciousness, but is presently being kept sedated and asleep. Four or five different doctors are watching over Paul and he has been receiving excellent care. Karen asks that everyone keep Paul in their prayers and send him positive energy for a complete recovery.
Karen and Paul love Mexico and have a great community of friends throughout the country. Karen is quick to mention this could have happened anywhere, and hopes that people don’t unfairly assume Mexico is inherently dangerous.
Karen is staying in a hotel next to the hospital and can be reached by phone at 011-52-444-813-3797 extension 1026 between 7-10 p.m Central Time.
Paul and Karen, we are all thinking of you! We hope Paul is out of the hospital soon!!!
Bruce Junek and Tass Thacker are back in town for one week in early April and will be doing a slide program of their 26-month World Bicycle Tour at the Dahl Fine Arts Center in Rapid City on Friday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $8. Bruce and Tass will be leaving to bicycle the Mediterranean May 4th.
Chris Baird will be stepping down from his position as Co-Chairman. Chris plans on helping the coalition in other ways. We would like to thank Chris for his work at the coalition. The last meeting was difficult to manage and Chris did an excellent job.
And finally, a word from the chair, Bruce Junek—Although, I have not been at the last two meetings, I have kept in touch behind the scenes and talked with people about what has been happening. Sorry there has been some discord, at meetings and elsewhere, especially when such important issues face us, like the future of climbing at Devils Tower, and also fun events like the Hardrocker Climbing Day are being planned. We can disagree on certain issues and still respect each other. Lets not let personal issues cloud our judgment, or loose heart because of individual squabbles!