Muir Valley Closed to Climbing

weber · Last edited by weber on Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:51 am; edited 2 times in total

Effective immediately, Muir Valley is closed to climbing.

This was a very difficult and painful decision that was made by Liz and me during the last few hours. In light of recent posts in the “Loose bolt on the Rising at Muir Valley” thread, we had no choice. This is very much akin to a product recall when a problem, real or bogus, that could result in injury or death is brought to the attention of the responsible party. Although Muir Valley is a private, non-commercial climbing area/nature preserve, we feel a moral obligation to protect our guests as much as reasonably possible. Therefore we are temporarily restricting access and investigating these issues.

Liz and I VERY much hope to re-open the Valley as quickly as possible. And with some of your help, we can. We are asking experienced climbers to help our volunteer developers inspect routes for loose bolts, quicklinks, and other hardware issues including possible tampering. Although we personally believe that this problem is no more prevalent here than at any other place in the Red River Gorge region, we really have no choice but to take this action.

If any of you know of specific hardware concerns that we may not be aware of, please email me at the address below with details. These will be the first routes to be inspected.

Please understand that our concern is primarily hardware related. As for the nature of natural rock climbing, such as loose rocks, dirt, lichen, bugs, snakes, poison ivy, etc., we will never close the Valley due to the lamentations of those not wishing to be exposed to risks commonly found in the outdoors. This is nature. You should either accept her inherent risks or set up a wall in an operating room environment and stay the hell out off the rock.

One more time, be forewarned that no guarantees whatsoever are provided by the owners of Muir Valley as to the quality of the rock or the hardware affixed thereto. OSHA wasn’t consulted. This is no different than for ANY other climbing area in this country. It would not be possible and certainly not practical to have observers present to record the particulars every time some gibbon takes a victory whipper and jerks a bracket loose.

Climb at your own risk. If you are not sure you know of all the risks, then please visit our website where you can while away the hours reading through a list.

If you wish to help, please contact me via by email to richardhweber@gmail.com rather than PMing. And, please provide your contact info along with your experience level.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Until further notice, only those who are signed up to help resolve these current issues will be allowed to park in the parking lot and enter the Valley.

Please pass this notice on to others who may not visit this forum. Thank you all for your support and understanding.

Rick and Liz Weber
Owners – Muir Valley
_________________
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau

mcrib · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:35 am Post subject:

Seems like the right decision.
_________________
"I just want to disappear"

longlegsrule · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:11 am Post subject:

good decision...
_________________
proud owner of a Roro

Spragwa · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:26 am Post subject:

I cannot imagine how tough it was but I also support you in your decision. Good luck Rick and Liz.
_________________
Jesus only knows that she tries too hard. She's only trying to keep the sky from falling.

-Everlast

weber · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:35 am Post subject:

In a few minutes, I'm leaving Indy for MV and will probably not be able to respond to my posting or emails until tonight. I'll try to answer questions any of you may have then.

For those of you who may have joined this forum recently or who may have missed my posts on our bolt testing efforts, please refer to these links:

http://www.redriverclimbing.com/viewtopic.php?t=4737&start=0

http://www.redriverclimbing.com/viewtopic.php?t=5647&start+0

My book "Bolting in the Red" is now being adapted for use by the New River Gorge folks. You may download a free copy from our Muir Valley Website.

We really do care about good bolting and promise to do the best we possibly can with the available hardware and information.

Rick
_________________
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau

Saxman · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:10 pm Post subject:

Let's hope enough people respond to get this cleaned up this weekend.
_________________
The theory of evolution is just about as stupid as the theories of gravity and electromagnetism.

pigsteak · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:14 pm Post subject:

any and all help would be appreciated. please contact Rick for details.
_________________
Positive vibes brah...positive vibes.

Alan Evil · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

I'm out of town for a week leaving tomorrow or I'd be there this weekend with my magnifying glass and wrench.

Rick, you'd best put a sign out by the paved road or you're going to have people trying to climb anyway.
_________________
You are as bad as Alan, and even he hits the mark sometimes. -charlie

"Not all conservatives are stupid, but most stupid people are conservative." - John Stuart Mill

weber · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

A big thanks to all of you who have swamped my email box with offers to help. Too many to respond to all right now. I need to hit the road for KY. I'll answer all of you as soon as possible.

Rick
_________________
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau

Stewy911 · Unresponsive Driver Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 649

i htink thats a great decision Rick.
_________________
Who Me? I gotta hitch hike god damn 18 miles to get a god damn beer......that's bullshit.

RRO · Fluffy Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1770 Location: woods

im in. who wants to help me on tuesday ?
_________________
www.redriveroutdoors.com

wirednut · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:58 am Post subject:

I've been waiting to hear this news.

Muir is not the first privately owned climbing preserve to be closed. Think Hidden Valley. Think Nelson. And maybe now, think Torrent. I completely understand the reasons and would hate to be faced with the difficulties such ownership brings.

But I think its clear that this private owner model for climbing areas leaves something to be desired.
_________________
- mid-atlantic climbing news, photos, rss

charlie · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:50 am Post subject:

gunslnga · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:10 am Post subject:

pigsteak · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject:

any new information on what help might be needed this weekend?
_________________
Positive vibes brah...positive vibes.