CASBC 2010 Annual Report Posted - Gravel Pit for sale

[squamish climber]

The Climbers Access Society of BC posted their annual report on their site.

Things seem to be going quite well at the CASBC. There is some good info in the report, so you should take a look.

Two things that kind of jumped out for me: There are 150 inactive members (those who have not renewed) which exceeds the number of active members at 143. So just getting old members to renew could almost double the membership in the CASBC -- that would look good when the CASBC is out there lobbying on behalf of BC climbers. It also shows that there are thousands of climbers in the province who are not members of the major organization that works on their behalf.

A membership only costs about the price of a quickdraw so why not invest some of your gear money into the long-term sustainability of the resource?

Another interesting item in the report refers to the Gravel pit at the base of the Chief. The Land Conservancy(TLC) purchased the land in 2005 at the urging of the CASBC in order to prevent a Gondola proposal. Now the TLC has put the gravel pit up for sale. At the time of the TLC purchase, Anders Ouram the CASBC president back then told the Squamish Chief newspaper "If this land isn’t bought and taken off the market, the possibility of it being developed in a way that conflicts with the values of the parks will never go away, It's much more than a gravel pit."
I wonder if that sentiment still holds true? You should let the CASBC know if you are concerned. So far the plan seems to be wait and see.

[MGarcia]

So what if there is a gondola? Just different stakeholders on park land, climbers shouldn't hoard the outdoors for sake of a more purer lifestyle. It would benefit Squamish's business to have more traffic.
Ever been to Chamonix? They don't complain about the gondis and they take their trad vey seriously.

[slopr]

So what if there is a gondola? Just different stakeholders on park land, climbers shouldn't hoard the outdoors for sake of a more purer lifestyle. It would benefit Squamish's business to have more traffic.
Ever been to Chamonix? They don't complain about the gondis and they take their trad vey seriously.

Have you ever been to Chamonix?

It's not like Squamish in any way besides the fact that there is climbing there.

I could flame on this post for hours but will save some for others

[MGarcia]

I have, lots of gondis all over the place.
A gondola would likely have less environmental impact than that Europa mounstrosity. (although nature will reclaim that).
I am just tired of one park/nature stakeholder group trying to have the only say. Even within the climbing stakeholder group there is no concensus, having tradsters bash sporties for not being pure enough...
In the end, we as climbers are only an overopinionated group at stakeholder level, lots more hikers go up the chief everyday than climbers, so why shouldn't they have a very important opinion? If they want a gondola and businessman wants to build it for them, why not?

[psi4ce]

Woah, woah, woah!

The gravel pit is for sale, and it is already owned by TLC?

Why???

In my opinion this is totally not cool.

If the pit gets commercially developed, it will detract from the wild nature of that side of the Chief. There is already a freaking casino on the other side!

How can we keep the pit undeveloped?

[slopr]

I have, lots of gondis all over the place.
A gondola would likely have less environmental impact than that Europa mounstrosity. (although nature will reclaim that).
I am just tired of one park/nature stakeholder group trying to have the only say. Even within the climbing stakeholder group there is no concensus, having tradsters bash sporties for not being pure enough...
In the end, we as climbers are only an overopinionated group at stakeholder level, lots more hikers go up the chief everyday than climbers, so why shouldn't they have a very important opinion? If they want a gondola and businessman wants to build it for them, why not?

If you think that most people that go up the backside trail in the summer are hikers, you are sadly mistaken.

[raingod]

If you think that most people that go up the backside trail in the summer are hikers, you are sadly mistaken.

and they certainly won't be if they take a gondola.

[mcfly]

I'd support a footbridge across the Squamish River or a gondola up the shoulder of Mnt Lapworth. That would direct traffic (revenue) through downtown. Stawamus Chief is a park for hiking and climbing - it doesn't need a gondola or a casino or another starbucks. The Stawamus Chief gondola advocates can F*ck Off.

[psi4ce]

Is it just me who is concerned about the gravel pit being sold?

Couldn't someone buy it and build another gas station, or casino, or who knows what?

Think about how great it'll be climbing in the Bulletheads with a busy parking lot below.

Details are sparse.

About a month ago I contacted TLC and inquired what their intentions are, but they have thus far completely ignored me.

[squamish climber]

I'm a little surprised by the muted response to this news as well. You made a good point that the other side has a casino. It would be nice keep the Bullethead side clear of commercial development -- as it is a gravel pit is not the most aesthetic thing to look down on. I think it was Ander's who said, this would have made a great location for the Adventure Centre. Have you tried contacting the CASBC? They may have an update on the situation.

[damien]

How much are they pricing the pit for?