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Save Ghost River Valley in the Canadian Rockies

whitecaps

28-Sep-2005
8:44:56 AM

It's a long way from the delights of a Scottish Winter, but many of you who enjoy the feel of ice beneath your picks and points may have dreamed of climbing the waterfalls in the Ghost River Valley in the Canadian Rockies.

This is probably Canada's premier ice-climbing area, with hundreds of waterfalls reliably forming every winter - many tempting lines still unclimbed. But now, recent proposals are to severely restrict vehicular access and camping in this valley, which due to the remoteness of the region, and the severity of the Canadian Winter, this would essentially put many of the climbs beyond accessible for regular climbers. These restrictions make little sense from an environmental standpoint in Summer, and no sense at all in Winter.

The local climbing community has tried to reason with the government, but to no avail - in fact in the analysis of results of the statistics from the government 'user interest survey' it said (and I quote) - "The disproportionate representation from climbers should be considered when reviewing the results" which sounds suspiciously like the voice of climbers was officially ignored.

It turns out that we now have only until this Friday (30/09/05) to petition our case before these restrictions get enacted, so it is time to kick up a big noise. I have set up an on-line petition to collect names of climbers against the proposed closures. We hope to demonstrate not only that there are a large number of local climbers this will affect, but that due to the quality of climbing in The Ghost, this is an international issue.

If you love ice-climbing, have ever visited The Ghost, or ever wish to visit The Ghost, please sign this petition.

You can sign at: http://www.calgarymountainclub.com/petition.htm

thanks in advance for your help

ShinToe Warrior

28-Sep-2005
11:10:09 AM

Hey all you users of sharp pointy Ice climbing gear, looks like these guys could sure use your support. I'm
sure many of you would love to climb there. You are probably sitting at your desk bored witless by the job
you do to fund your climbing habit, so let's do something positive for the world climbing community as a
whole and sign this petition. you can even do it without leaving the comfort of your work area, so go for it!!

Richard

28-Sep-2005
1:08:37 PM

fair enough, but someone should say that Australia isn't part of Scotland ...?!

gfdonc

28-Sep-2005
1:19:22 PM

But it is, isn't it? We have the same queen ...

oweng

28-Sep-2005
2:39:32 PM

Looks a great area, but im not signing a petition when I have no information about the issue.

Eduardo Slabofvic

28-Sep-2005
3:05:22 PM

On 28/09/2005 gfdonc wrote:
>But it is, isn't it? We have the same queen ...
>
…and her fascist regime.

IdratherbeclimbingM9

30-Sep-2005
10:08:46 AM

On 28/09/2005 gfdonc wrote:
>But it is, isn't it? We have the same queen ...
LOL
.. I like the humour there gfdonc.

henry

30-Sep-2005
4:01:31 PM

On 28/09/2005 Richard wrote:
>fair enough, but someone should say that Australia isn't part of Scotland

Canada isn't part of Scotland either...

somebody reposted here a message I put onto a UK climbing board.

We've had a fantastic response to our petition with over 1500 signatures in just 3 days from climbers from all over the world.

Of course, talking to the government is like talking to a brick wall - so the battle will continue yet.

I managed to track down a lot of the aussie posts to here. So I'd like to say a big thanks to all of you - every little helps.

henry.

onsight

30-Sep-2005
5:54:49 PM

>1500 signatures in just 3 days

That's awesome. Good luck w it Henry. I just visited the Ghost for a day but could see it's a big area - and would be pretty stuffed for climbing without vehicle access.

Rosco.

30-Sep-2005
7:32:35 PM

It's a great place and worth fighting for, True wilderness and a beautiful place support the cause don't let them lock it away.

There are 10 messages in this topic.