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cultureshock
Trad climber
Mountain View
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Jul 29, 2011 - 01:39pm PT
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The Forest Service released the following report:
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST The Needles Fire Lookout Tower, located on the Western Divide Ranger District within the Giant Sequoia National Monument on the Sequoia National Forest was destroyed in a structure fire today. “This is a tragic loss to the District,” stated District Ranger Priscilla Summers. “I’m relieved the person staffing the lookout tower was able to safely evacuate the tower before it burned.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, however it was determined to be a structure fire and not in any way related to the Lion Wildland Fire currently burning in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Firefighters are ensuring the safety of visitors by closing Forest Road 21S05 and trail 32E22 that lead to Needles Lookout, and closure of the area surrounding the rock formation where the lookout was perched. The closure area includes the formation popular for rock climbers known as “The Magician” and will remain closed until the wildland fire resulting from the burning debris has been contained and the area safe for visitors.
The lookout tower was constructed in 1937-38 by the Civilian Conservation Corps atop the rock formation at 8,245 feet. A Forest Service employee, stationed in the tower, was responsible for detecting fires and relaying radio messages to a dispatcher, who in turn sent firefighters and support equipment to extinguish the reported fire. The tower was utilized as this employee’s office as well as their home for the summer months while the lookout was on duty.
Needles overlooked the Kern River Drainage, Mt. Whitney, Olancha Peak, Farewell Gap, and Dome Rock. The tower was the primary communication line for persons in the backcountry where cell phones do not work. The Needles Lookout Tower was one of the most popular places to visit on the Western Divide Ranger District.
“The loss of this historic landmark is significant.” stated Summers. “My immediate concern is for the safety of firefighters who are working to contain the Lion Wildland Fire in the Golden Trout Wilderness who have now lost one of their main lines of communication.” More information will be sent out as soon as it’s available regarding the cause of the fire, availability of the rock formation for visitors, and future plans.
From adventure journal
Luke
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WBraun
climber
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Jul 29, 2011 - 01:42pm PT
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How's that work?
A fire lookout tower staffed by fire conscious people looking for fire hazards and fires burns down.
Ironic ..... :-)
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nikki trauma
Trad climber
san francisco, ca
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Jul 29, 2011 - 03:17pm PT
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This is a sad day. I was up there less than two weeks ago! I'm glad Margee is ok.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2011 - 03:31pm PT
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Firefighters are ensuring the safety of visitors by closing Forest Road 21S05 and trail 32E22 that lead to Needles Lookout, and closure of the area surrounding the rock formation where the lookout was perched. The closure area includes the formation popular for rock climbers known as “The Magician” and will remain closed until the wildland fire resulting from the burning debris has been contained and the area safe for visitors.
I sure hope they have been able to contain any fires in The Needles started from falling debris.
I wonder for how long the road and trail will remain closed.
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Jul 29, 2011 - 05:53pm PT
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Thanks for the info and posts... very sad news.
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Chris2
Trad climber
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Jul 29, 2011 - 06:02pm PT
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I'm with you Werner. I would think we would be asking the same question if a fire station burned down.
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Burt
Big Wall climber
Blue Diamond, NV
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Jul 29, 2011 - 06:28pm PT
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Not ironic and sad in my opinion, personally I think both of you are a little out of line. I was just there and Margee and the overlook is as much part of the Needles as the climbs are. It will not be the same. I feel for her, twenty years of her life was up there in the summers, a real tragedy in my eyes. Kinda like losing a friend. I hope they rebuild and she can come back next year. Sorry WB and Chris, just a little close to home for me.
Kurt Burt
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2011 - 06:38pm PT
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The Needles lookout and Margee Kelly are significant to the climbing history of the Southern Sierra in the same way that Camp 4 is significant to the climbing history of Yosemite. The Needles lookout must be restored. The Needles lookout is in the National Registry of Historic Places. I hope all climbers, whether they have climbed at the Needles or not, will rally together in an effort to do what it takes to restore that tower. What climber who has been there on a Sunday afternoon, enjoyed one of Margee's cookies, and enjoyed the view from her home, wouldn't want to have that experience again or make sure other climbers can enjoy that unique experience in the future? Restore the tower. Contact the Buck Rock Foundation at http://buckrock.org/ and begin the contributions. Just say you want your contribution earmarked for the restoration of the Needles Lookout. Contact the USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/ and tell them you want the tower restored! As a local climber, I will do my part.
Patrick Paul
Re-posted from upthread. Patrick has hit the nail on the head.
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Oxymoron
Big Wall climber
total Disarray
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Jul 29, 2011 - 06:46pm PT
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F*#k it. It's just a tower.
All things must pass.
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Radish
Trad climber
SeKi, California
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Jul 29, 2011 - 06:55pm PT
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Sad and Tragic news for all of us who have been there and I do hope that it can be rebuilt. Margee let me eat 8 cookies one Sunday night after friends and I did a route on the Magician. Those cookies were just sooo good I couldn't just eat one. Now if anyone has an emergency out there it will be a long way to run for help!
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pk_davidson
Trad climber
Albuquerque, NM
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Jul 29, 2011 - 07:24pm PT
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gonna have to eat a cookie in memorandum...
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2011 - 07:49pm PT
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F*#k it. It's just a tower.
All things must pass.
You're right from the standpoint that it is much more important that no one got hurt or killed. It was a fire not an explosion.
However, The Needles lookout was a very unique and special place. And a lot of why that was so was because of Margee. When it comes to climbers and climbing Margee totally gets it. The tower was full of memorabilia and pictures. So to me, a Needles regular for nearly 30 years, it was more than just a tower. Maybe more like a temple.
I do hope the tower can be rebuilt.
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gonzo chemist
climber
Crane Jackson's Fountain St. Theater
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Jul 29, 2011 - 08:06pm PT
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Noooooo! This is terrible news! I'm happy Margee is OK, and her kitty as well. But boy what a loss. I was hoping to be climbing up there next week for a while and see Margee. What a bummer.
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msiddens
Trad climber
Mountain View
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Jul 29, 2011 - 08:24pm PT
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Just an update to the folks about this. I'm up here now at the ponderosa after getting turned around at the needles trailhead. The trail is closed indefinitely while the forest service concludes their findings on the cause of the fire. That means that no climbers will be allowed on the trail leading into the needles proper until the service says so. The Rangers are out and policing. Sucks, I have 4 days to spend here and now i'm having to make alternate plans. I'd suggest anyone planning on coming up reconsider.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2011 - 08:39pm PT
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Go to Hermit Spire!!!
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Fogarty
climber
BITD
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Jul 29, 2011 - 10:09pm PT
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Just got the news, what a place in my life, bummer is with the state of California & our Nation there
my never be another?
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Matt M
Trad climber
Alamo City
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Jul 29, 2011 - 10:19pm PT
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Certainly seems like something climbers could contribute to. A rebuild of some sort. If it was made of wood a rebuild could be attainable.
Anyone have connections with that Home Rebuilding Show on ABC (Extreme Makeover home Ed?) Seems like THAT would be good television and an awesome show for the network...
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 29, 2011 - 10:30pm PT
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I just got off the phone with Margee. The fire happenned very fast, and apparently started on the roof or in the attic. Whatever.
She sends her love to everyone she has had visit her up there over the years. I told her to check out this thread too.
There is optimism that a rebuild can be accomplished. Apparently that tower can still be purchased in kit form. That solution would depend on the foundations still being intact, I presume. So there is much work to be done (and paid for.)
Right now it looks like the Buck Rock Foundation will spearhead fundraising efforts. Patrick Paul (fixedpin here) or I will keep the developments up front here as things shape up.
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Fogarty
climber
BITD
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Jul 29, 2011 - 10:35pm PT
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Let me know how I can help, we could set up some sort of fund.
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