Twin Sisters climbing {WasThe dawn of Spring ~ ROY!}

— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “royserati” wrote: > You were probably the next party on Room to Shroom after we did it > last Thursday. We followed Vogel and approached from the dam > (wrong!). The canyon that goes up to the AstroDomes is much better.

Nah, saw at least 3 parties on it before we got there. But, was a Saturday, and very crowded most everywhere, except the Escape Rock (Psoriasis and Exit Stage Right), which didn’t look like they’d seen any traffic in a while. Interesting old bolts too. Rappel slings were way crunchy…

After gettin’ bouted on our initial foray up the canyon west of Barker Dam, the approach from Escape was a snap.

> I’ll trade weather for crowds any time.

Ditto that!

> Try to get up to the City in June, okay?

Will do. Give a shout out as a reminder. Too close (distance) for me to long range plan for (!). Got some projects I need to get back to in the Castle. Always fun. More I ponder it, more I get psyched…

Speakin’ of which,

Twin Sisters main formations have been closed to climbing for a spell now. Opportunity for climbers to let the park know that they’d like to see the area reopened to climbing is upon us. Please take the time to write a quick letter if you’re so inclined.

From the Access Fund:

“Continued communications with the NPS and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation regarding a possible revision to the climbing management plan at the City of Rocks, ID that may reconsider the current climbing ban on the Twin Sisters formation.”

From the AAC E-News:

CLIMBER COMMENTS NEEDED TO REOPEN CITY OF ROCKS’ TWIN SISTERS

The City of Rocks National Reserve has begun revising its 1998 Climbing Management Plan. However, according to an Access Fund memo, the National Park Service has already “consented to the continued permanent closure of Twin Sisters to technical climbing,” despite several less-restrictive management alternatives supported by the entire Idaho congressional delegation, local residents and the climbing community. In order to reclaim at least some climbing at Twin Sisters, climbers need to ask the National Park Service to expand the narrow scope of the planned revision and to add an alternative that provides some climbing on Twin Sisters. Send comments by March 31 to Wallace Keck, Superintendent, City of Rocks National Reserve, P.O. Box 169, Almo, ID 83312; fax 208-824-5563; email Wallace_Keck@partner.nps.gov . For more information, visit http://www.accessfund.org/pubs/en/e- news65.htm#_Climber_Comments_Needed_1.

-Brian in SLC