Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 21, 2011 - 12:49am PT
|
The general user group in this area is pretty upsetting.
I don't see how it is constructive to put down people who visit and partake in the activities made available in the National Forests.
Out at the end of rd 21S05 you will find mostly climbers and hikers. Now that the tower is gone the number of hikers will diminish in a big way. Is this good? I don't think so.
America today is an underexercised and increasingly obese society. A destination as spectacular as the Needles Lookout served as a draw to get folks to actually walk a few miles in the mountains. Young people who make the hike, whether with scout, school, church groups, clubs, or family might have a life changing experience.
I know because such a thing happenned to me once...
|
|
StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2011 - 12:54am PT
|
Let's hope they put it back soon
|
|
ec
climber
ca
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2011 - 07:28am PT
|
Welcome to 'bureaucracy.' However, I truly think we can work this sh*t out.
Other than funding issues, I find waiting to remove 'hazerdous' materials after the winter is not ecologically sound. By the time spring rolls around, irreparable damage could possibly occur. WTF? Oh, yeah, bureaucracy...
 ec
|
|
Soulsurfer
Trad climber
San Diego, Ca
|
|
|
Nov 11, 2011 - 01:35pm PT
|
[photoid=224535]
Best of luck to Margie and the lookout tower being rebuilt. Just wanted to post a few pictures of the Needles and show some love for the Southern Sierra.
|
|
Soulsurfer
Trad climber
San Diego, Ca
|
|
|
Nov 11, 2011 - 01:36pm PT
|
|
|
Soulsurfer
Trad climber
San Diego, Ca
|
|
|
Nov 11, 2011 - 01:38pm PT
|
|
|
Soulsurfer
Trad climber
San Diego, Ca
|
|
|
Nov 11, 2011 - 01:45pm PT
|
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 11, 2011 - 03:41pm PT
|
Nice pics. Looks like the Thin Ice - Ice Pirates - Don Juan start. The earlier one is, of course, Pyromaniac. Who's climbing?
Yaniro told me once that the Don Juan got it's name 'cause you "Don Juan" to lead it. He was just kidding of course.
I hear that there is supposed to be a meeting to discuss possibilities regarding the lookout, with the District Ranger on Sat the 3rd of Dec in Porterville. I'll post specifics when the notice goes out.
It's not 'Colorado' but it will do I guess.
Now them's fightin' words... ;-)
|
|
justin01
Trad climber
sacramento
|
|
|
Nov 11, 2011 - 05:49pm PT
|
KSolem, You probably don’t remember this but on the previous page you thought I was insulting hikers. I was not denigrating anyone for how they look. I really don’t care in the least, and I am more than happy that people of all stripes get out there. Kudos.
I was referring to abusive users in Kernville area in general, not really the needles specifically. I was trying to give the forest service in sequoia a pass for often being shifty.
I was referring to the trash strewing campers around dry meadow, Kern, and Isabella. Anyone who walks out to the lookout is A-OK in my book. Hell, anyone who gets up the hill from the valley, is doing pretty good. But I have had some crazy encounters at Remington, and fill bags of trash often when I camp in this part of the sierra. Again, I love how few rules there are, but I hate how abusive many of the users are.
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 11, 2011 - 06:25pm PT
|
Justin I agree 100%. Thanks for following up.
I climb in the Kern Canyon north of Kerville, at both the known crags and some others a lot in the winter months. The place is dead and pristine.
Summer is another story...
|
|
Soulsurfer
Trad climber
San Diego, Ca
|
|
|
Nov 11, 2011 - 08:47pm PT
|
Good guess Kris. 1st pitch of Thin Ice. The other pic of the guy working Pyromania(ic) is a guy from the Yosemite Valley area I believe. Sean maybe. Very strong and low key. And of course, just joking about Colorado.
Thanks again for keeping us informed on if we may or may not get the tower rebuilt.
|
|
ec
climber
ca
|
|
|
Nov 19, 2011 - 07:29pm PT
|
News from Fixedpin, et al:
Hello,
I received this email from Kathy Ball-Allison a couple of days ago. Please forgive me if you knew this already or have received some other notification prior to this. I think this is good news and hope that there will be persistent and sincere follow through on the part of the FS. If you would like to have your name on my list of those who should be notified of any further developments please let me know and I will do that. When it comes time for "a meeting in the spring to brainstorm fundraising, volunteerism, organizing committees, ideas, project management, etc.,"; I will be happy to send out notification to all those who express an interest in being a part of this phase in the resurrection of The Needles fire lookout.
The implication here is that the FS wants to do this but will be seeking assistance from the public to help facilitate the process and raise money to see it through. We have worked with the FS before on projects and been quite successful at getting good results. Please let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Patrick Paul
From: Kathy
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 4:33 PM
To: Buck Rock Foundation
Subject: Needles Rebuild and meeting
Yesterday I received a phone call from Western Divide District Ranger, Priscilla Summers regarding the rebuilding of the Needles. This is what I gleaned from that conversation:
Originally her plan was to hold a public meeting for public input and to discuss the possibility of rebuilding the lookout. In the meantime, the District has made the decision to rebuild the lookout and is going to begin the process to do so. After several consultations, they have discovered that by classifying it as a "rebuild" instead of a restoration, etc. it can be addressed as a "Categorical Exclusion" (CE). This means they don't have to go through the NEPA/scoping process. Part of what this means is they would have to rebuild it as close to original as possible, with some ability to fluctuate based on functionality.
Due to this decision, Priscilla does not feel it is necessary or helpful to have a meeting at this juncture, but would like the Foundation and the FS to jointly facilitate a meeting this Spring to brainstorm fundraising, volunteerism, organizing committees, ideas, project management, etc. Therefore, the tentative meeting set for December 3rd in Porterville has been cancelled.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that it all goes as planned! We have included this information in the latest issue of the BRF newsletter and the FS will be sending out a press release as well (which should better serve any of you who would like to forward the update).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kathy
|
|
ec
climber
ca
|
|
|
Nov 20, 2011 - 10:48am PT
|
newsworthy bump...
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 20, 2011 - 01:17pm PT
|
Soulsurfer, I think that is Matt Wilder on Pyromaniac. I know that he sent it around the time when the Lion Wilderness fire was active, and that pic looks smokey...
...and the FS will be sending out a press release as well...
EC, thanks for bumping this topic.
I am awaiting with some curiousity the wording of the FS release. I guess I am confused as to why, if the decision has been made to restore the lookout, that delaying the public process is somehow helpful.
BTW District Ranger Summers will be leaving her post for retirement on 12/30. This means that the two people at the top, Supervisor Elliot and whoever replaces Summers, are new in their positions since the lookout fire. Personally I don't see this as a good time to be delaying or pushing down the road opportunities for public input.
For those who want to be heard on this matter, here's the info:
Letters are being welcomed by U.S. Forest Service officials:
District Ranger Priscilla Summers
Western Divide Ranger District
32588 Hwy 190
Springville, CA 93265
District Ranger Summers email is:
psummers@fs.fed.us
Sequoia National Forest Supervisor Kevin B Elliot
1839 South Newcomb Street
Porterville, CA 93257
A statement from Kathy Allison at The Buck Rock Foundation:
Thanks for your interest. We are not taking donations for the Needles at this time, but we are taking emails pledging support, donations, etc. You can send them to buckrock@inreach.com. We are compiling lists in anticipation of a meeting in the near future. The more pledges we get the better!
|
|
ec
climber
ca
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2011 - 09:50am PT
|
bump...
|
|
Tony Bird
climber
Northridge, CA
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2011 - 09:52am PT
|
they have discovered that by classifying it as a "rebuild" instead of a restoration ...
good god, we are in the presence of genius.
|
|
Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2011 - 12:47pm PT
|
they have discovered that by classifying it as a "rebuild" instead of a restoration, etc. it can be addressed as a "Categorical Exclusion" (CE).
I'm not a bureaucrat, but that makes total sense. Since this is a structure that been there for what, at least 50 yrs., it's not as if they need to assess the impact in the same way as a new structure. It's a known quantity. It seems that the only open question is the cost of replacement. Let's hope common sense continues to prevail.
|
|
Radish
Trad climber
SeKi, California
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2011 - 03:13pm PT
|
On a totally positive note......I'm sure the lookout will be rebuilt. This is something that everybody is watching. Its a Grand Prize for that person or persons who make this project happen.My hope is that it will be rebuilt as it was and that we can all go up there and visit and climb as before.
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 21, 2011 - 03:46pm PT
|
Right on, Rene!! Optimism is a force in it's own right.
Edit: "As it was..." Yes, but perhaps a fireproof roof is in order.
|
|
Tippi
climber
|
|
Forest Plans to Repair Needles Lookout
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia
Date: December 9, 2011
Needles Fire Lookout
On July 28, 2011, the Needles Fire Lookout was destroyed in a structure fire. The lookout and tower was constructed in 1937 and 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps atop the Needles rock formation at 8,245 feet. The lookout overlooked the Kern River Drainage, Mt. Whitney, Olancha Peak, Farewell Gap, and Dome Rock. The Needles Lookout was one of the most popular places to visit on the Western Divide Ranger District and provided a communication link with the backcountry, where cell phones do not work
The Forest Service proposes to construct a new lookout tower with the same “look and feel” as the original tower on the same site. The lookout will comply with current building codes and safety requirements, and be constructed out of durable materials. The living and working conditions of the lookout cab will be functional and efficient. All electronic equipment will be replaced with what is currently available, and provide communication for both firefighters and backcountry users.
“There has been strong enthusiasm from many members of the public to rebuild the lookout in its current location,” stated Summers. “The Forest Service has received approximately thirty-two letters and a number of phone calls regarding the lookout, nearly all in favor of replacing this nationally recognized site.”
Forest officials are working with our partners, the Giant Sequoia National Monument Association, Buck Rock Foundation, Sierra Club, and other cooperators in support of our efforts. To obtain more information or provide comment regarding either the plan to build a boardwalk at Trail of 100 Giants, or rebuild the Needles Fire Lookout Tower, please contact Anne Thomas via email at mariannethomas@fs.fed.us or call 559-539-2607 ext. 270. Comments are due January 9, 2012.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!