tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777718.post5246323476221830485..comments2023-09-06T03:18:02.143-05:00Comments on A Climber's Life: Climbing Guides and Thier Great StupidityGreg Mason Burnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189858826346433069noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777718.post-84250278376257181842008-04-11T08:57:00.000-05:002008-04-11T08:57:00.000-05:00I don't disagree with keeping the place a preserve...I don't disagree with keeping the place a preserve. In fact, I very much care about the notion of preserving land, and I feel that the Mohonk Preserve does a good job of this.<BR/><BR/>However, while your idea is a good one, the access trails are not always easily identified, especially in the fall and spring when leaves cover what would otherwise be an obvious trail. On top of the that, during the summer months, some trails just don't seem to be as obvious.<BR/><BR/>I actually think that it is <EM>very</EM> easy to blaze one's own trails in the 'Gunks, and that, to me, is a problem. I would much rather have signed trails to keep people from wandering than not have signs to protect the heritage. <BR/><BR/>However, my main concern is finding my way around. For $85 for a season's pass, I'd rather not waste my time looking, looking, looking...GB (admin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02409007231158970731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777718.post-90367092092386535082008-04-10T21:44:00.000-05:002008-04-10T21:44:00.000-05:00Respectfully, I have to disagree with your post. T...Respectfully, I have to disagree with your post. <BR/><BR/>The way I "find" routes, once past the Stairmaster, or Connecting Trail, is by looking at the portion of the Williams guide where there are topos for the wall sections. It's easy enough to do.<BR/><BR/>First, look up the route's number(#203 in the Grey Dick). Turn to the topo page that lists that number(Page 422/423). All the access trails are "named" there, usually by one of the classic routes nearby. Actually, there is even one called "Minty Trail."<BR/><BR/>What I do is - simply count the number of access trails starting from the Connector Trail, to the one I seek. If I counted correctly, the Minty Trail is the 5th one after(not including) the Connector Trail in the guidebook I have. (I don't use Swain much, but believe that guide has a similar concept.) <BR/><BR/>The preserve will never have nametags at the access trails; the idea has been bandied about thoroughly. Their mission is to preserve the ridge in the condition it was in before the industrial age. In some aspects, concessions must be made. For example, there are public restroom, but not with running water. There are named markers for the very largest trail intersections, and less obtrusive blaze markings to guide people along the trails. Bolted rap stations, to preserve the health of trees along the clifftop and on the walls to facilitate safety. The Mohonk preserve is, as it's name implies, a preserve.happiegrrrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07856473710746318574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777718.post-14558615574163022922008-04-08T09:33:00.000-05:002008-04-08T09:33:00.000-05:00I understand the method of describing the start of...I understand the method of describing the start of routes based on where they are located geographically in relation to other climbs, but there has to be some context when the cliff stretches over 300 climbs. To start at the beginning and have to follow all along the cliff is just dumb. It isn't helpful at all, and that's what a guide is supposed to do. It is supposed to help when one doesn't know. If one knows, then one doesn't need the guide. It's just plain dumb.GB (admin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02409007231158970731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8777718.post-26342728019713744352008-04-07T21:46:00.000-05:002008-04-07T21:46:00.000-05:00Too funny. We we're talking about the same exact t...Too funny. We we're talking about the same exact thing on our ride down rt 55.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com