MudNCrud Forums
Climbing and ... Climbing => Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles => Topic started by: JC w KC redux on January 20, 2014, 02:11:59 PM
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Hey Gavin,
I just read this thread and its impressive. The details of the 2013 report totals are beyond anything I thought was going on at Pinns. You should do a NG documentary on this. Great work.
On a different note, we have been cleaning up a lot of daily litter on the trails. Gross negligence bordering on premeditated.
Other than starting to issue hiking licences, where visitors must pass a class and test, what to do???
Carry a garbage bag. I can offer further advice offline.
I have also noticed the increase in trash and used TP in the High Peaks Area. Two weekends ago trailside I saw some soiled underpants with about a whole roll of TP scattered around them. Needless to say, I was not prepared to clean up something like that, and it was a shocker. Like JC said maybe this weekend I'll do the trail with a garbage bag.
The other thing that shocked me was the increase in trail braiding through the switchbacks on the Southern portion of the Tunnel Trail. I had not walked that portion of the trail since last year and it is definitely worse for the wear.
I've also noticed both problems; both are as bad as I've ever seen. The trail braiding on the trail to the High Peaks from the West Side is literally destroying trails.
Add some baby wipes and small bottle of hand sanitizer to the list.
We could stand to have a trail day on the west side focusing on piling cobble size rocks into the "braids".
Large enough to stay in place and make walking over them on a slope treacherous.
It might be easier and faster but not as aesthetic to do the pound-in fence posts with green mesh to block the entrances/exits.
Maybe Gavin could call James' attention to it?
And instead of rocks, dead branches (some big ones) are really effective at re-directing braids (look at how we did it around the Discovery Wall area in October).
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Agreed. The parking lot was trashed a couple of weekends ago. The high peaks tail definitely needs help. In a few places it is almost hard to tell the short cut from the main trail. I could see plenty of trash that I was unwilling to retrieve down in the bushes. Something needs to change.
I almost wonder if the West Side suffers from a lack of ranger presence or some type of authority figure to keep the tourist in line. I personally love the remoteness and lack of rangers on the West Side, but I also do not like to see my park trashed.
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We were talking about anti-littering adds they ran when we were kids. The crying Indian and Pitch-in, I won't ever forget.
Today we don't just throw away trash into a can, we separate garbage from recycles and the recycles sometimes have specific bins.
Most folks care but it still seems strange to me that a person would goe to Pinnacles (it's not the party destination as Arroyo Seco is) and hike the trails scattering their snack wrappers, lunch, juice and water bottles allover Mother earth. I really don't want trash cans at trail junctions. Pack it in, pack it out.
I wish there was an incredible add campaign running that would bring conscience, educate, and place value on everyone doing their part. Get an add switching from our streets, beaches and parks, with kids, working folks, public figures...and ending with a few sport and pop-music stars saying "It's my planet, making sure it's not trashed is my job" or some like that to make people think about it.
As far as not cutting trails goes rock and branch barriers seem a possible deterrent, Stop Erosion, Don't Cut Trails signs might work. Or arm Park Staff and deputized Mud Masters with sniper scope rubber bullet rifles.
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deputized Mud Masters with sniper scope rubber bullet rifles.
Really like this part ;)
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JC is getting a sling shot. ;)
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We could stand to have a trail day on the west side focusing on piling cobble size rocks into the "braids".
I would be into helping out with a trail day. I was out of town for the last one on the East Side.
I could see plenty of trash that I was unwilling to retrieve down in the bushes
Yep, that's exactly how I felt. I would be into taking half a climbing day to dig trash out of bushes along the trail and mix in a couple of climbs along the way.
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Sorry to say I concur with this. Didn't feel like complaining, but now that you mention it, yeah. I was surprised by the amount of trash I saw a couple of weeks ago, far more than I've noticed in previous years. Does this have anything to do with National Park status and an increase in visitors or is it a general trend?
I've been thinking about an ad campaign for a while. To stop this at the source, you need to influence attitudes. Kids look up to sports stars, actors, musicians. Rappers against wrappers. Richard Sherman talks trash.
NYC is enlisting kids to create campaigns:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/teens/anti-litter-psa
Dual purpose - kids create the spots and they relate to each other. Is it a local problem? Reach out to local schools.
Here's David Lynch's take on it:
I'd love to go on a hike with him. I see large, rabid, evil raccoons.
I used to work in that game, did loads of PSAs, maybe I can talk to someone.
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QITNL, please do!
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Hey gang -
I definitely agree with the sentiments and concerns expressed. See my post on the Climbing Closures thread for a more detailed response to some of the initial comments about trash and braided trails.
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Hey All -
I'm just about to post the updated Climbing Advisories on the first page of this thread, but wanted to respond briefly about the trash and trail braiding problems first.
I really appreciate the responses about trash / trail braiding and absolutely agree that the problems have gotten worse... In the 11+ years I've been working here (and the few before that when I was also hiking / climbing here), the trash and trail braiding are the worst I have seen. The trail braiding is bad in many places but I agree that it is particularly shocking along the Tunnel Trail. As someone who lives and works at the Pinns, is is so frustrating to see this place we love getting degraded.
As for things to do about it. First, I strongly recommend that each and every person commenting here sends personalized emails on the subjects directly on to our trails foreman James (james_bouknight@nps.gov)... You can CC me (gavin_emmons@nps.gov) as well if you'd like. Bruce Hildenbrand already sent a couple of emails on these subjects, and I think the more we receive, the better, as the emails help to document visitor concerns with the problems.
Second, organizing clean-up days (of trash and degraded trails) are great ideas. As many of you probably know, Pinnacles gained National Park designation a year ago, and that has definitely contributed to greater visitation (and visitor impacts) here. What you may not know is that the National Park designation brought absolutely no new money to the park, for more staff, maintenance, or anything else. With shrinking federal budgets and sequestration effects, the capacity of NPS personnel to adequately respond to park needs - law enforcement, trail maintenance, etc. - has been strained even further. Right now, we basically do not have a trails crew due to the funding cutbacks.
With these things in mind, any efforts on your part to remove trash and tend to braided trails are invaluable. I'm sure James would be thrilled to have folks agree on times to come out and have focused days of litter clean-up and trail repair. On my end, I have tried to organize trash clean-up days a couple times a year for NPS staff to be a part of, but of course the trash keeps on coming.
I am hoping to keep pushing the idea of having (more or less) mandatory trash clean-up days for Pinnacles staff, at least a couple times a year. Beyond that, we should work with James to organize some days when we can mobilize enough folks to bring down the trash load and work on trail projects. I would guess that with enough people, even a few hours in a day would have a substantial effect... And still leave some time for climbing afterwards. ;)
Okay, enough for now... Advisory updates coming soon.
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Gavin,
I sent an email to the requested parties. Would it also be helpful to contact Sam Farr?
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Aaron, I saw your email; thanks for the effort. Honestly, I don't know what impact an email to Sam Farr's office would have. However, he did work hard to change the Pinnacles designation from National Monument to Park, so an email can't hurt and is a means of voicing your concerns.
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Not all litter is coming from non climbers. We picked up more than half a pack of cigarette butts and some napkins off Alias bandit bench this weekend. Every belay was an ash tray. There was of course lots of stuff on the ground with the Holiday hordes. As well as lots of howling coming from the Balcony caves.
Peter
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Nothing is worse than cig butts. The amount of butts (mine and other's) I've pulled out of my pockets after a climb (especially a wall) is just ridiculous. Damnit.
http://www.kab.org/site/DocServer/LitterFactSheet_CIGARETTE.pdf?docID=5182 (http://www.kab.org/site/DocServer/LitterFactSheet_CIGARETTE.pdf?docID=5182)
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Hey All -
I just wanted to post an update on sending comments to NPS staff. For those that still want to express their concerns about litter and trail braiding, it sounds like the most effective contact is our trails foreman, James (james_bouknight@nps.gov) and not our superintendent, Karen. So send comments directly to him (and CC me if you'd like) and we'll see what we can do to organize our collective energy into some trail clean-up days. Thanks!
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Not all litter is coming from non climbers. We picked up more than half a pack of cigarette butts and some napkins off Alias bandit bench this weekend. Every belay was an ash tray. There was of course lots of stuff on the ground with the Holiday hordes. As well as lots of howling coming from the Balcony caves.
Peter
Amazing, I was up there on December 3rd and picked up a dozen butts from the Alias Bandit Bench anchors as well.
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so who is the asshole?
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Judging by the evidence, cancer should claim him or her soon.
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Munge, the word description most appropriate is butthole. This calls for a route in the area "No if ,ands, or butts.
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Your trash ain't nothin' but cash...
Bruce said he got $1.25 for what we collected last Wednesday after rebolting Thundering Herd :)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fTvoJrGgByt6Z7i39OMEwuurtZujEVGuRtU2PJj5Opi-Yrx4rFjY48DysBXxll_Kxg33rPa8zYeE68yye5OqQ0aoE3LafCYHf-38Lh__jFhIdLsOKItPnItc9Tw78hfBfMPK71Y5m296hCvdKfTvIZ=w834-h625-no?authuser=0)
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sweet, dirtbaggers revenge!
thx guys!
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That is a tall boy cobra right there!
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good clean up effort and thanks much.
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A couple of weeks ago on the way back from rebolting on Goat Rock, Clint and I picked up all these plastic bottle, cans and, glass bottles (and some trash not in the photo). This was all collected in a 1/2 mile stretch of the Juniper Canyon Trail about 1/4 mile above and below the junction with the Tunnel Trail.
(http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z213/brucehildenbrand/IMG_6959_sm.jpg) (http://s189.photobucket.com/user/brucehildenbrand/media/IMG_6959_sm.jpg.html)
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Thank you Bruce and Clint. Jeepers, what are people thinking.
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Mud people don't think or think they are above the rules, twice this year, including yesterday we saw people with dogs on the trail. Also dog shiite, a couple weeks ago, people didn't even kick it off the trail. Sad...
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The problems and perils of a National Park designation... I saw it all as a ranger in Yosemite. And it's likely we'll see it all at Pinnacles now.
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Damn, I can't believe you got all that plastic in that small stretch. I guess that is me being naïve or overly hopeful. Did the High Peaks loop yesterday with my son. Your photo explains why it looked so clean. I started climbing in Pinns in '85, I always thought it was one of the cleaner sites.
Hello all, my name is Bill. My son is Andrew, the one who put out the fire last week. BTW, keeping up with him for eight hours of hiking and climbing yesterday is something I am going to have to work on.
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Damn, I can't believe you got all that plastic in that small stretch.
Welcome to the forum Bill. Yes - it is amazing how much stuff is out there. When Bruce and Clint and I were out I started picking stuff up and the more I looked - the more I found. My hands were so full I almost couldn't get up the hill to put it all in the bag. My pard and I will definitely have to start carrying at least one trash bag in our packs.
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Welcome to the forum
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Oldtopangalizard, I like your nickname. Some people on the forum use boring real names. That is ok. The rest of us are so much cooler. Welcome.
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Went out on Saturday with this guy.
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1242_zps0f191a09.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1242_zps0f191a09.jpg.html)
I started out from Bear Gulch and walked along the rim trail to the reservoir. Along the way I found quite a few beer cans, water bottles, etc. The reservoir was looking really low. Kind of makes you wonder what could be on the bottom. More bottles? Who knows.
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1243_zpsd714f408.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1243_zpsd714f408.jpg.html)
From here I walked over to the Watchmen did the 4th class route and picked up some more water bottles.
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1244_zpsaadbdc35.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1244_zpsaadbdc35.jpg.html)
View from the top of the watchmen
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1245_zpse36f0e75.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1245_zpse36f0e75.jpg.html)
Next I started up the Deserted Valley. The stream bed was totally dry which made the walking pretty much brush free.
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1248_zps6fb5282a.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1248_zps6fb5282a.jpg.html)
Along the way I picked up some more water bottles before I arrived at Maniacs Delight
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1251_zps1d77ff61.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1251_zps1d77ff61.jpg.html)
I climbed the 5.7 route thinking that I was on the 4th class route. By the time I got to the move protected by the bolt I thought "hmm.this does not seem 4th class." Whoops.
Next I hopped on the 4th class route and then headed over to the Knee.
After poking around the base of the Knee looking for the bolts on the route "Blowing Chunks" I decided it was time to move on. Has anybody done this route lately? I could not see the bolts. Are they still there?
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1255_zps60036f2f.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1255_zps60036f2f.jpg.html)
I did not find any more trash until I re-joined the High Peaks Trail near The UnMentionable. From here I walked down the trail to the Anvil. Along the way I found more bottles, TP, and this
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1259_zps9e0521a5.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1259_zps9e0521a5.jpg.html)
my first used sanitary pad of the day! (later I will find one more and a couple of used tampons) By now the bag had a fair amount of stuff in it and many of the hikers gave me thanks for picking up trash. After chatting with the hikers I hopped on the Anvil and then headed up the trail to the cutooff for Pipsqueak Pinnacle. No trash to report at The Pipsqueak. I did" From the Center of the Earth "4th Class and then headed down to The Snout which I changed from 5.6 to 4th Class AO like this
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1266_zps93a9b9bd.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1266_zps93a9b9bd.jpg.html)
From here I bushwacked my way down to the Condor Gulch Trail. From here the trash collecting resumed. When I got to the Don Genaro Overlook I chimneyed down the waterfall route and cleaned out a half dozen water bottles. The hikers were shouting down thanks.
Next up I did the 4th class descent route on Casino Rock. Then I continued on to the Squareblock to the 3rd class "Rabbit" route
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1269_zpsf28357d1.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1269_zpsf28357d1.jpg.html)
From here the climbing pretty much stopped for the day and I went into full on trash collecting mode. My main objective was to remove as much or all of the visible trash from the Tunnel Trail. From talking to hikers along the way I knew that the soiled undies and TP that I saw a couple of weeks ago were still there. So now the moment you have all been waiting for..... I give you
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1270_zpsb3091d41.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1270_zpsb3091d41.jpg.html)
and
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1271_zpsc6974890.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1271_zpsc6974890.jpg.html)
and the piece doorepooped pants
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1272_zps0e895a67.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1272_zps0e895a67.jpg.html)
Those bad boys got double bagged. Yikes!
From there I finished the Tunnel Trail and hiked back down the High Peaks Trail picking up more trash as I went along.
All in all, I got in some fun easy pinnacles in areas I had not visited, met a ton of nice hikers,and collected about a half a bag of trash. Did not see a single climber. I even brought an alpine harness just in case I could bum a TR out of someone. Here's my partner at the end of the day.
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b571/nelkins182/IMG_1273_zps62d45af9.jpg) (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/nelkins182/media/IMG_1273_zps62d45af9.jpg.html)
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Nelkins, your awesome. That spot by the Tunnel Trail looked really bad. Good TR and looked like a real nice day out there and the Park is much better off after your visit.
Here's to sweat in your eye
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After rereading the entire thread I do have some observations.
After not climbing on The west side for 15-20 years, I started coming back about a year ago. 10 months ago I went up the south leg of the High Peaks Trail at Juniper Canyon. This past weekend, 1/26, I came down that way. I was thinking of one of the comments above about the rapid deterioration of the trail and it is true, in that 10 month period that section seemed to have aged closer to 10 years than 10 months.
Overall, in the 4 visits in the recent past I have seen a large hiker increase, but I am sure climbers are responsible as well.
Before Christmas, three of us went up Costanoan. I don't have exact dates but the only other time I did the climb was 15-20 years ago. I remember it was a bushwack of sorts, sadly a method I seem to love having grown up hiking in the Santa Monica's. Well needless to say I was shocked at the size of the trail to the Citadel. I am assuming that was built and designed to keep all climbers from roaming the creekbed and hillside to get to the rock. Much like I did 20 years ago. When we came down in the waning light I realized the improved trail served a good purpose. The days of secret little foot paths to distant climbs is obviously over and trails and paths will not doubt have to be maintained on a regular basis. If a trail maintenance or clean up day is put together, I would love to help. I know Andrew would join in and I'm sure we could get more. I definitely need the exercise if nothing else and every day at Pinnacles is a beautiful day.
You folks must have an insight into the degree of damage in relation to NP status. Was the westside popularity rate as large and damaging in the 2-5 years prior to NP?
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Hey All -
I just wanted to thank everyone for continuing to post about litter and trail erosion, and for the awesome efforts of folks to pick up trash and post photos of what they collected. Roving the trails to conduct raptor surveys most days of the week, I find myself picking up tons of trash as well - with water bottles, tin cans, TP, and orange peels being major leavings - and definitely applaud the efforts of those of you picking up trash during your visits. Nelkins, your posting was great... Thanks for all your work.
I also wanted to post some updates on the NPS staff side of things. I've been talking with James (our trails foreman) and Karen (our superintendent), and they are both very supportive of organizing more volunteer efforts in regards to trash clean-up and trail work. James should be posting on this thread soon with some thoughts, and hopefully we can line up some days for folks to come volunteer for additional trash clean-up and trail repair. James and I will continue talking further with Karen as well about organizing some official trash clean-up days with other NPS staff. James is also organizing some official trail work restoration projects focusing on trail erosion, and he can discuss those upcoming projects more when he posts on this thread.
Thanks again for all your efforts, and keep them coming!
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Geez nelkins that is a lot of hiking, climbing and trash collecting. I got my exercise for the day just reading your TR. If Brad were not in JTree I'm sure he'd chime in. Nice work dude!
As far as recent damage goes on the west side I'm not sure traffic has really increased since the status change. I think the dry weather and warm temps have prompted a lot of locals to get out more. I've been on the Tunnel trail more times than I can count over the last year. A few of the prominent shortcuts turned into deep ruts after the rains the last few winters.
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Oh, and to Aaron and nelkins: Karen should be sending you personal replies to your emails of concern about trash and trail deterioration. If it seems warranted and relevant, feel free to post her reply on this thread so other folks can see where she stands on the issues.
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Chapeau, Nelkins!
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Thanks everybody!
-Noal
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Very nice work Nelkins! A huge pick up of litter, a near-total traverse of the park, and a few routes picked off on the way. Wow!
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Amazing, I was up there on December 3rd and picked up a dozen butts from the Alias Bandit Bench anchors as well.
Clint and I were up on Machete doing some rebolting yesterday and we found probably 10 butts at the base of Lucky 13. We also found 5-7 butts at the anchors on top of the first pitch then about 7 butts on the top of the second pitch. We found 3 or 4 butts at the anchor on top of Dead Zone.
So, we have three different instances of massive amounts of cigarette butts on the same route. It's probably the same person. My guess is that either he really likes this particular climb or maybe he is a guide of sorts and takes clients on this route.
What a mess!
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Clint and I were up on Machete doing some rebolting yesterday and we found probably 10 butts at the base of Lucky 13. We also found 5-7 butts at the anchors on top of the first pitch then about 7 butts on the top of the second pitch. We found 3 or 4 butts at the anchor on top of Dead Zone.
So, we have three different instances of massive amounts of cigarette butts on the same route. It's probably the same person. My guess is that either he really likes this particular climb or maybe he is a guide of sorts and takes clients on this route.
What a mess!
That is so weird - I have only ever seen one party in that location lately and I hardly ever see anyone smoking at Pinns. I like your name better Bruce - I think we should ask Munge to change it :)
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That is so weird - I have only ever seen one party in that location lately and I hardly ever see anyone smoking at Pinns. I like your name better Bruce - I think we should ask Munge to change it :)
Trying to hiajack route names again....Munge don't do it until they change the name to "The Sleep-n-Inn Crowd"
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what in the wide world of sports is the Dead Zone?
Drop Zone is up that way. :P
I have seen at least one person, perhaps a soloist that was JC's doppelganger (orange helmet and orange tshirt white pants) up in that area two weekends ago now.
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what in the wide world of sports is the Dead Zone?
Drop Zone is up that way. :P
I have seen at least one person, perhaps a soloist that was JC's doppelganger (orange helmet and orange tshirt white pants) up in that area two weekends ago now.
Somebody's gotta go back and get a shitload of dimes!
That dude musta been a poser wannabe - accept no substitutes - there is only ONE!
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yes, Highlander!
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what in the wide world of sports is the Dead Zone?
Drop Zone is up that way. :P
I have seen at least one person, perhaps a soloist that was JC's doppelganger (orange helmet and orange tshirt white pants) up in that area two weekends ago now.
Yeah, I meant 'Drop Zone.' Sorry about that.
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Although Dead Zone might actually be better.
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Although Dead Zone might actually be better.
That's what I thought too! :)
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What has Mud n Crud become? You guys are spraying about how much trash you pick up...
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I thought I saw Mr Mud's Crusty Undies...
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What can I say it was a long night.
@Adam vs how my trash we talk?
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My email and response to the Park Service:
On Wed, Jan 22, 2014 at 10:19 AM, Aaron McDonald wrote:
Hello Karen,
I am writing to let you know about a disturbing trend that has been happening on the West Side of Pinnacles since the new designation as a National Park. I am a climber and frequent the park on a very regular basis. I love my park and hate to see it disgraced. The High Peaks trail is in really bad shape. I have seen a big increase in the amount of trash along the trail. People have also been short cutting and severely eroding the landscape. In a few places it is almost hard to tell the shortcuts from the main trail. Something needs to change. I have discussed this with several of my climbing comrades and we are interested in fixing this issue now.
Thank you,
Aaron McDonald
***********************************************
From: Bouknight, James
Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 3:20 PM
To: Aaron McDonald
Subject: Re: Litter on Trails and Shortcutting
Hello Aaron,
Thank you for your interest in the problem of social trails and litter here at Pinnacles.
In short, I identified the social trail issue as a problem as soon as I was hired in the supervisor position about a year and a half ago, and wrote a funding request to address some of the impacts. Luckily, the management team here at Pinnacles agreed the problem was important enough to expedite funding, so we will be tackling the problem this spring. I will be hiring a crew of 4 people and am also in the process of contracting with a California state prisons fire crew of 16 for two weeks of additional help. We will be moving materials into place with pack stock sometime in late March, early April, with execution slated for several weeks after. There will be plenty of work to be done, so if you or any of your friends are interested in volunteering for one or more days, please let me know, and we can work on that together.
As far as trash pick up is concerned, I realize it is a problem, but as Gavin has pointed out on the Mud N' Crud forum, national park status did not come with additional funding for Pinnacles to address needs that result from the increased number of visitors. We have seen approximately a 30% increase in visitors this year. I am working with Gavin to get a more formalized trash pick up with park staff, which will at best be a quarterly group effort. I am also exploring options for grant funding to install informational signs at trailheads with a Leave No Trace message. But the best we can hope for in the near term at least is for folks like yourself to lend a hand and help clean the trails. I will be posting information regarding volunteer opportunities on Mud N' Crud as soon as I have access.
Again thanks for your interest, and feel free to get in touch with me with any additional concerns.
James Bouknight
Trail and Fence Maintenance Supervisor
Pinnacles National Park
5000 Hwy 146
Paicines, CA 95043
Phone: 831-389-4579
Fax: 831-389-4207
****************************************************************
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That's good! I love the people that work at Pinnacles... except for that person who informed that one group of visitors there are no raptor closures....
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What raptors?
I heard they are wintering on the coast.
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when you cannot climb you have to talk trash about something....
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Here is a more detailed description of the proposed trail maintenance work from James Bouknight. Kudos to James for realizing the need very early in his tenure and wading through all the government red tape to make it happen! Friends of Pinnacles is tentatively planning a day to come and help out to show our support. More details as they become available.
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User created trails are aesthetically unappealing, but more importantly they negatively impact park resources by eliminating native vegetation, providing corridors for the spread of invasive plants, increasing erosion and maintenance costs, and threatening historic structures. Unchecked, user created trails and shortcuts tend to proliferate. The park’s General Management Plan identifies monitoring and remediation of user created trails in the High Peaks area as a goal, (p. 104.) This project proposes a variety of methods to address the resource impacts of social trails in the Central High Peaks area, and allows Pinnacles to work toward one of the trail related goals stated in the GMP.
Project Area Defined: Central High Peaks – The project zone follows the High Peaks trail starting from the Anvil formation junction (36.476217 ̊, -121.190943 ̊) to Scout Peak then to the junction with the Condor Gulch trail, which is also included down to the Overlook (36.485352 ̊, -121.192486 ̊). The Juniper Canyon trail is in this zone down to its junction (36.485508 ̊, -121.201007 ̊) with the Tunnel trail, which is included for its entire length. This project area also covers any climber access routes that depart from trail corridors within the described zone. In FY14 & FY15, three primary areas of concentrated work are proposed: Scout Peak, the Tunnel trail, and upper Condor Gulch.
In 2009, the California State Historic Preservation Office concurred with an NPS Cultural Landscape Inventory that proposed to include the High Peaks trail system within the East Entrance Historic District. As a result the project area is part of the district, and all of the trails described, climber access routes excepted, and their associated structures are contributing features. The inventory recommends re-vegetation of social trails near retaining walls, (p. 119) and cites switchback shortcutting as a particular problem for historic retaining walls in the district, (p. 86.) In addition, the park’s General Management Plan sets a baseline maximum of 25 total user created trails for the High Peaks area, (p. 104), but at present, the number of social trails is approximately double that number.
A variety of strategies will be used for remediation including:
1) Construction of rock and log check dams in steep areas of switchback shortcuts. The purpose of these 8-24 inch high structures is to slow down the flow of water, retain sediment and reduce erosion. Crews would locate source materials from within the project zone, though some materials may be brought in from farther afield, but from within the park. Trips using pack stock could be required to place materials where they are needed. In a very few (>6) steep areas these structures may have to be secured with re-bar, pinning them to the ground. These structures would be covered with dirt when completed to make them practically unnoticeable by park visitors.
2) Installation of temporary buck and rail, or permanent post and chain fencing.
a. Buck and rail fencing would be temporarily placed in areas that may be successfully re-planted with native vegetation, specifically the Scout Peak, Condor Gulch and Tunnel Trail areas. Buck and rail fencing, is a rustic style fencing that is placed on the soil surface, requiring no digging. (See attached photo example.) This type of fencing could be fabricated to be stable on slopes, though it may also require pinning with re-bar in very steep areas for safety reasons.
b. Fenced areas would be evaluated for removal three years after replanting of native vegetation in FY15. If the visual corridor with adjoining trail is 80% blocked by vegetation, then fencing would be removed. Each area would be re-evaluated on a yearly basis afterward. During FY14, all of Juniper Canyon trail would be evaluated for removal of previously installed fabric fencing using this standard.
c. After initial treatment with temporary fencing, some areas may be judged to require permanent fencing due to insufficient re-growth of native vegetation to provide a visual barrier. During preliminary discussions, PWR cultural resource staff has suggested that post and chain fencing may be the most appropriate for long-term installation. In areas that are especially prone to social trail creation and that do not exhibit the desired re-growth of native vegetation, NPS trail crews would install permanent post and chain fencing. (See attached photo example.)
3) Formalization of one 200 LF social trail to a view point at Scout Peak in an area that would be difficult to close off. Access would be stabilized to the view point by installation of 24 eight inch steps and an 18" X 38" retaining wall. (Reference attached map and photos.) Erosion control structures would be built to blend in with the surroundings and be unobtrusive from the main trail corridor. Structures would be built to fit in with the historic character of the Cultural Landscape as has been done in other rehabilitation projects at Pinnacles. Undesirable trails would be blocked with temporary fencing, and signs modified to indicate formalized viewpoint. A 100 LF viewpoint trail on Condor Gulch, would be similarly formalized, though without major structures.
4) Re-building, re-enforcing or extending existing dry stone masonry retaining walls on switchback corners as recommended by the Cultural Landscape Inventory. Any repairs to contributing structures would be done in the same footprint and in a style matching the original, and would follow DOI guidelines for maintain historic structures.
5) Sourcing of native vegetation, replanting, and watering, in FY15, under the direction of and in cooperation with park botanist. This final stage of the project would seek to plant native vegetation in disturbed areas to restore them to an undisturbed state, reduce erosion and protect historic structures by discouraging social trail formation.
Any work not completed in FY14 & FY15, would be considered for as late as FY20
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Hi Everyone,
Been meaning to follow up personally on this thread for awhile and say thanks for all your work. It is truly impressive the amount of effort everyone has put in to clean up trash at Pinnacles!
I'm glad to see that Bruce and Aaron posted my earlier responses to them. The last few weeks, I've been finalizing the details of the project that I e-mailed to Bruce, and things are looking pretty good. We are slated to start moving materials in early April to build buck and rail fencing. To see an example photo check mid-way down this page: http://morgantimberproducts.co/fencing.html
This solution is aesthetically more attractive than the green fabric fencing that has been used in the past, and I believe will prove to be an effective barrier for most park visitors. I also intend to assess areas for the possibility of removing fabric fencing that has been in place for extended periods, particularly along Juniper Canyon.
For this project I would be very interested in talking to groups or individuals who might be interested in assisting with construction, or further down the road, with assistance planting and watering native vegetation. Feel free to contact me directly regarding volunteer opportunities, or with any specific trail related concerns.
Sincerely,
James Bouknight
Pinnacles Trail Maintenance
831-389-4579
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I think we can scare up a weekend where we have a dozen or more people come out and help build the fencing. I volunteer for a few days anyway. Perhaps a day or two mid week.
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That's awesome Mud. I'll send you a PM.
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rope-and-pulley system to lower the injured climber, who had fallen about 70 feet. First responders managed to get the climber on the ground, and paramedics attempted CPR, but the man was pronounced dead on the mountain.
The climber was the second person to die on Crowders Mountain in as many months.
Gary Mims, an ardent advocate of trails in Gaston County, was found dead on a rainy Saturday in January in the park, at the bottom of a 70-foot outcrop called David’s Castle. His backpack and a garbage bag were found at the top. Authorities believe he was collecting garbage at the park.
Mims led the Gaston County steering committee of the Carolina Thread Trail, a 15-county trails network.
Earlier Monday afternoon, a climber at Linville Gorge fell off Shortoff Mountain while rappelling around 1 p.m., said Beverly Roland, a supervisor at the Burke County Communications Center.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/10/4756054/hiker-rescued-near-linville-gorge.html#.UyNlquhX-uZ#storylink=cpy
Be careful when collecting.
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Any news on a weekend effort? My season is staring to fill up with climbing trips.
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FOP is hoping to pick a weekend day in April to bring some bodies to the effort. We are waiting for James to get up and running so we know what weekend works best. Stay tuned for details.
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It would be nice to see it linked into the MOM weekend.