Climbing Stewardship in JTree

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Messages 1 - 6 of total 6 in this topic
FreeCoffee

Trad climber
Joshua Tree, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 8, 2013 - 06:01pm PT
We all know there are 8,000 plus climbs in JTree and that a 1/4 million people come here to climb each year. Some people come once, chalk up, and leave. Others, like us, just can't get enough of it.

In light of the recent vandalism in Rattlesnake Canyon, on Queen Mountain, and at Barker Dam I am asking for your help: become a Climbing Steward in JTree.

If you want to keep a low-profile that's fine and appreciated. Pick up some trash (nothing that looks too old ofcourse), stick it in your pocket, and keep climbing.

However, it doesn't hurt to have more climbers on the books doing good things for the park.

Here's how to become a JTree Climbing Steward:

1) email bernadette_regan@nps.gov or come to Climbers Coffee
2) fill out and return a volunteer form
3) go climbing

Your duties as a volunteer are just to keep an eye on the park. If you see graffiti, report it to me. If you see something funny, report it to me. If there is modern trash on the ground, pick it up. If you see tick marks, brush them off. If you see a crashpad on top of a cacti, remove it. If a visitor asks how you got the rope up there, be nice. Things most of us probably do anyway. If you prefer a less freeform version of these tasks, I do have some Site Monitoring forms that you could fill out as well.

4) keep track of your hours and report them to me at the end of the month. After 250 hours you'll earn an Annual Pass. These hours accrue over a lifetime and don't expire at the end of a season.

Thank you very much,

Bernadette Regan
JT Climbing Ranger


CynthiaL

Social climber
Joshua Tree
Mar 8, 2013 - 09:26pm PT
BTW, that's an INTERAGENCY Annual Pass, not just a Joshua Tree Pass.
TYeary

Social climber
State of decay
Mar 8, 2013 - 10:16pm PT
I will see you out there onthe 30th. Count me in! Tzy
Rolfr

Social climber
North Vancouver BC
Mar 8, 2013 - 10:19pm PT
Free Coffee, It sounds like a pretty good deal to me, getting to climb, taking care of your own play ground and every once in a while getting a freebie.

Great post, but may I suggest that Joshua Tree Steward may be better wording than volunteer. I believe most climbers at JT are protective and defensive of any negative impact to the park and are already ambassadors for the area.

The Coachella Valley is my new winter home and even though I am not a local , I was still deeply disappointed and appalled by the graffiti at Barker Dam and would hate to see an escalation of that type of damage.

Rolf Rybak
Director
Climbers Access Society of B.C.
Joshua Tree Snowbird Climber
F10

Trad climber
Bishop
Mar 8, 2013 - 10:32pm PT
That's a great idea,

I will continue to take care of and respect the park like I always do.
Even still give helpful hints to other climbers and visitors like I usually do.
I have seen quite a change since I first started climbing there a long time ago.
I won't be filling out a form, not into that stuff, but will try to help make sure your program does make a difference and helps in all aspects of the park.
Thanks for all you have done to try and make an improvement.

James Barnett
willybeamin

Trad climber
Ventura, CA
Mar 8, 2013 - 10:36pm PT
Thanks for the word. J-Tree is a special place for me (as well as many others). I do this on the regular when I'm there, but I can't take you up on the offer. Not paying for a pass means less money towards our parks. It seems that those who care about our natural resources are becoming more of an endangered species. I will continue to be a steward of the land, as will the countless others I've seen who do so without the need for reward or recognition. Anyone commuting past the Ventura area for the cleanup? I'd love to hitch a ride, PM me if it works out...Cheers
Messages 1 - 6 of total 6 in this topic
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