skaha access closed from Nov 1

[ras]

http://www.skaha.org/SkahaBluffs_Main.htm

I was up last week. The notice went up the Wednesday morning, if I recall correctly. Said "The parking lot and access to it will be closed _permanently_ on Nov 1st. Spread the word." Nothing else.

Met Howie a few days later. He said the property is for sale and Hugh is tired of hastle with local city government and related politics. Also said he expected "pandemonium" when it closes... lots of folk live in Penticton and/or have bought property there specifically because of the climbing. They won't be happy. And neither am I, the climbing up there is fabulous. Wings of Desire...

Hope something can be done. Its hard to believe such a resource could be lost.

Btw, anybody know anything about the huge cliffs right by the highway just north of Oliver?

[Mike C.]

i had heard talk of a parking lot opening(or already open) at the other end of the bluffs. anyone know what the logistics and legalities are concerning that?

[ras]

[quote="Mike C."]i had heard talk of a parking lot opening(or already open) at the other end of the bluffs. anyone know what the logistics and legalities are concerning that?[/quote]

I hate to spread rumours, so take this with a grain of salt, but what one of the locals told me (so this is 3rd-hand, at least) is that no, there is no parking lot. Also, even when parking on the road (how much space?), to access the crown land requires crossing private land, and the landowner maybe tolerates a few people walking a dog, but not lots of climbers walking through.

[XXXX]

that huge cliff near oliver is called mcintyre bluff. there are a couple old 70s aid routes and a sh*t load of loose rock. if it wasn't on private land it would be great for multipitch sport climbing if heavily cleaned. .

[rich k]

now that it's after nov 1, anybody know the current situation?

i imagine the go-to lot is now closed.