Carolina Climbers Coalition

December 2009 CCC Board of Directors Meeting

This
Board of Directors meeting was held December 12, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the
Randolph County Public Library, Asheboro, NC. 

Attendees: Anthony Love,
President; Zachary Lesch-Huie, Vice President; Scott Gilliam,
Secretary; Brian Payst, Web Admin; Jessa Goebel, Northern Mountains
Rep; Tim Fisher, Southern Piedmont Rep; Phil Hoffman, Southern
Mountains Rep; Ron Funderburke, At-Large Member; Shane Messer,
At-Large Member

PROCEEDINGS

Yesterday (January 6th, 2010), the CCC started the New Year off with the purchase of the West Side Boulders at Rumbling Bald. The closing of the sale occurred in Asheville, NC. This purchase marks the beginning of our newest land acquisition project. This purchase serves as the 4th pilot project of the Access Fund's Land Conservation Campaign, a national initiative to empower local climbing organizations to conserve recreation lands through a loan program to purchase them. With this new initiative, the Access Fund is demonstrating once again they are YOUR climbing future! This project marks our second major land acquisition project. Its exciting for the CCC to conserve of a major bouldering area for climbers of the Carolinas and beyond.

Matt de Camara shows why you should donate to support the Rumbling Bald Boulder Project

12/6/09 - Chattanooga, Tennessee

As you know the Triple Crown has been a major supporter of the ongoing efforts of the CCC. The Triple Crown Bouldering Series raises money for climbing access organizations, American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. The Triple Crown
Bouldering Series has paid the lease for the Ashboro Boulders for the last 2 years in a row, helped to pay off Laurel Knob and now they have stepped up to support the new Rumbling Bald Acquisition.

Raleigh, NC - December 4, 2009 —

The Carolina Climbers Coalition and the Access Fund announced today the intent to purchase and conserve the Rumbling Bald West Side Boulders in North Carolina.
The Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment, will provide a bridge loan of $72,000 from the new Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign to finance 90% of the purchase price for the 6.12 acre tract that is currently under contract by the Carolina Climbers Coalition.
The two organizations are working together to finalize the purchase of this popular bouldering area from a private developer. Developed in 1999, the parcel hosts 30 boulders with approximately 200 high quality boulder problems. The area sees considerable use from southeast climbers due to its central location to several nearby metropolitan areas, including Asheville, NC; Charlotte, NC; Greenville, SC; and Spartanburg, SC.

Chimney Rock State Park is mandating that all vehicles MUST be parked on paved or gravel surfaces ONLY in the parking area. Overflow parking along the road is NOT permitted or advised.

Once the parking area has filled, NO ADDITIONAL vehicles will be allowed to park in this area. Parking will be available on a first come first served basis from now on. Chimney Rock State Park assures us this is not meant to limit visitors to the area, it is meant to limit the number of vehicles in the area and to provide for emergency vehicle access.

When planning to come to Rumbling Bald, PLAN ON CARPOOLING. If you cannot carpool, plan on meeting friends at the community center in Lake Lure and travelling in as few vehicles as possible.

Chimney Rock State Park has also informed us that they will be closing the lower parking area for restricted use by emergency vehicles and park staff.

As the Sauratown season approaches, we know many of you are interested
in an update on the status of this closure.

Historically, Sauratown climbers have been accessing the cliffs and using a
parking lot that belongs to a property owner, who at this time, wishes to not
be named publicly. The fire that occurred in 2007 helped raise the issues of
liability. Access is currently closed to climbers to mitigate concerns of
liability held by the landowner in the event of an accident that occurs while
public is on their property. As it is private land, we must respect their
wishes.