Trapps cliff closure lifted
June 30, 2009
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The rock fall and nesting peregrine falcon route closure that affected the section of
Trapps cliff between, and including the routes Asphodel (5.5) and Bitchy Virgin (5.6)
has been lifted. Two young falcons were successfully fledged from the aerie in this area.
The compliance of the climbing community was instrumental in this success story. There may
still be some loose rock present in this zone, so extra caution should be used when climbing
or using the cliff-base climber’s trail in this area.
Near Trapps Descent Trail Blazed by the GCC
April 28, 2009
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A descent trail has been blazed by the GCC that accesses the far south end of the
Near Trapps.
For details, CLICK HERE.
Trapps Route Closures (Expanded)
April 26, 2009
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The Mohonk Preserve has informed us of the following route closure at the Trapps cliff:
Due to rock fall and nesting peregrine falcons, the section of the Trapps cliff between,
AND including the routes Asphodel (5.5) and Bitchy Virgin (5.6) is temporarily closed to rock climbing.
- Do not use ascent trails or rappel routes that access this area.
- Do not use the section of the cliff base climber’s trail between these routes.
- Please refrain from excessive noise making while in the vicinity of this closure.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Note: This has been edited - as of April 26, the closure was expanded from Le Teton to
Bitchy Virgin, and includes the climbs mentioned. This expansion is necessary to further
reduce the stresses that human activities are incurring on the nesting falcons.
Near Trapps Access Closure
April 8, 2009
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The Near Trapps at the Gunks offer nearly a mile of classic and popular climbs just south of
Route 44-55. In 1993, the Access Fund worked with the Mohonk Preserve, Open Space Institute, and
Friends of Shawangunks to protect access to the Near Trapps, but a portion remains on private land.
Earlier this month, a portion of the Near Trapps was closed to climbing. This includes land below the
cliff to above cliff-line and starts approximately at Eenie Meenie and continues south about 200 feet.
Climbers are asked to respect the no-trespassing signs and obtain access to climbs further south by
hiking in from the Millbrook Ridge Trail along a descent trail blazed by orange survey tape. The Gunks
Climbers' Coalition is addressing the issue and looking into potential solutions.
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Wrap Up Summary for the 2008 Season
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Chris Moratz, GCC co-chair and Access Fund regional coordinator, summarizes our GCC activities
of 2008. Click here
to read the article.
GCC has a Facebook Page!
March 19, 2009
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For those of you on Facebook, the GCC now has a Facebook Page! Check it often for
the latest Gunks news, announcements, events, and photos. Using Facebook will provide
a fast and convenient way for all the GCC board members to disseminate information
and for the climbing community to respond and comment. Search for "Gunks Climbers Coalition"
in Facebook to find us. Become a fan!
Michael Kodas Benefit Slideshow for the GCC
November 1, 2008
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More details about this successful event to come.
Click here for pictures.
Adopt-A-Crag Day at Minnewaska State Park
October 25, 2008
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Stay tuned for more details about this event.
The GCC sponsors free pizza at Vulgarian Roundtable
October 17, 2008
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On October 17th, Rock and Snow hosted a Vulgarian Roundtable discussion with a panel of
legendary Gunks climbers who led the Gunks climbing scene in the 1950s and 1960s.
The store was completely packed and the discussion was fun, lighthearted and nostalgic.
The Gunks Climbers' Coalition was proud to sponsor free pizza for all who attended.
Click here for pictures.
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GCC Fundraising Campaign to Purchase Rescue Equipment for the Mohonk Preserve
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On Memorial Day 2008, Maria del Piano fell on a climb in the Near Trapps and was
taken to an ambulance on a rescue litter. She needed surgery on her wrist, where
a titanium plate was inserted.
As a result of this experience, Maria offered to donate a generous amount of
money to the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Rescue Fund, to help with the purchase
of new rescue equipment for the Mohonk Preserve. With this seed money, the GCC
was just about to start a fund drive when something unbelievably offensive happened.
Thieves stole $9000 worth of ropes and specialized rigging gear from the rescue cache
in the Trapps.
While the Mohonk Preserve works with their insurance company to help recover their
losses, the GCC would like to continue our plans for the Rescue Fund drive to raise
money for new equipment, defray rescue costs and help with any theft expenses not
covered by insurance.
We hope to raise as much money as possible between now and
our November 1st benefit
slide show featuring Michael Kodas, the author
of High Crimes - The
Fate of Everest
in the age of Greed, a narrative look at how big money and big egos are drawing crime
and malfeasance to Mount Everest. Admission to the slide show is a $10 donation.
Please help the GCC help the Mohonk Preserve, so they can have the rescue equipment
to help us climbers when we need them the most. The Mohonk Preserve is a non-profit
land conservation organization supported by its members and visitors and depends on
all of us to help. At present accident rates, the Preserve estimates that rescues
cost $10,000 per year and presently this must come out of the Preserve's bottom line.
Also, equipment ages and needs to be replaced with new equipment regularly.
Please go to GCC Donation Page
to make your donations.
We accept personal check, credit cards and Paypal payments.
Thank you for your help.
The Gunks Climbers' Coalition
The GCC Presented with
the Mohonk Preserve's 2008 Thom Scheuer Memorial Stewardship Award
October 11, 2008
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Chris Moratz, Chairman and Jannette Pazer, Secretary General, both members
of the Board of Directors for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition, are very pleased
to have been presented with the Mohonk Preserve's Thom Scheuer Memorial
Stewardship Award this past Saturday October 11. For us, it is a great
honor to be recognized for our achievements in the past years. We have
worked with great diligence in order to solidify climber relations with
land managers along the Shawangunk Ridge, work toward opening new climbing
area access, improve climber trails, prevent erosion and soil compaction
in heavily used areas, sponsor events and raise funds for donation of rescue
equipment, and generally serve as a liason for the climbing community.
All of this would not be possible if we were not supported by the local
climbing community, the national Access Fund of which we are an affiliate,
as well as Rock and Snow of New Paltz and local rock climbing guide services.
For Jannette and Chris as well as our fellow members of the Board of Directors,
Mr. Robert O'Brien, Mr. Ajax Greene, Ms. France Menk, and Mr. Dana Perry,
who represent our all volunteer organization, this honor is a great milestone and
will serve to inspire us into the future as we continue our mission.
