Skaha Access

[Blake]

I know that Skaha access was closed, and has now been purchased/secured for the future. Any word on the current status? If someone went there for a climb, is there any realistic way to get to the crags?

[Peter]

Something is being worked on, standby......

Peter
CASBC

[Blake]

Thanks. Patiently Waiting... (this weekend?)?

[Dru]

This is a great opportunity to check out some of the other climbing available in the Okanagan (not Skaha) including Kelowna's crags, Cougar Canyon near Vernon, the Similkameen Boulders etc.

[Anders Ourom]

Skaha climbers are circulating the following information:

We released this note last night to the local climbers; it may be appropriate, since we have heard nothing from TLC, to give it wider distribution.

Access to Skaha Bluffs remains a hot topic for this season. As you all know, the purchase of Sublot (SL) 18 was a success; however; that was only the first phase of the access issue. The following remains to be resolved:
Legal access across a right of way to SL 18 - TLC is negotiating with the land owner and we are anxiously awaiting an outcome;
Legal access may not be in place for the Easter long weekend;
The road to SL 18 will be upgraded (under construction) this year with a parking lot developed simultaneoulsy - slated for completion in October or November;
Should legal access be granted, everyone can expect to have to walk from, most likely, the end of Smythe road. The trail is likely to be flagged
Access through the North end remains across private property; and
Braesyde farms, the traditional access, remains closed.

It is probably best for all to consider other climbing venues for the Easter weekend

[Anders Ourom]

The climbing community will be pleased by the following news, which was announced on March 13th by the City of Penticton, The Land Conservancy of B.C., and the B.C. Ministry of Environment.

There will after all be public parking at Braesyde Farms in spring 2008, as there has been since 1992. The various parties have reached an agreement with Hugh Dunlop, the owner of Braesyde, to permit parking there for the short term.

A long-term parking solution is still being negotiated, that is, an easement through other private property to sublot 18, the land that was recently purchased and which provides room for parking etc.

Braesyde will open on Saturday March 15th, 2008, and the fee will be $5.00 per vehicle.

(The above is a summary of a press release from the City of Penticton.)

[Anders Ourom]

A correction/update to the earlier post - the fee at Braesyde will be $10/vehicle/day, not $5.