Skaha Bluffs Access

The support from the global climbing community to the Skaha Bluffs access situation has been phenomenal. Many are keen to write, send email, donate cash - the offers of support are fantastic. Many thanks to all of you for your emails of support, and for your enquires as to how you can help.

This brief and personal note is to try and help you understand the situation a little more and perhaps help you decide what you can do to help most effectively.

The Skaha Bluffs access situation today is very different to the situation in 1995/1996. Then, the owner of the Braesyde property, Hugh Dunlop, was attempting to get a permit to run a parking lot on farm land from the Agriculture Land Commission. The support of the City was required, and many of the then councillers were completely ignorant about the impact of climbing on the City of Penticton. A letter campaign to which many of you responded - and in spades - jammed the fax machines at City Hall. It was a great success - climbers got the message across that climbing in Skaha was not a fringe activity of a few, but involved people from all over the world, who were coming to Penticton to climb, and to contribute to the well-being of the City. Hugh got his parking lot permit and climbing went on.

Today, the situation is very different. The Braesyde property has been sold. Hugh has decided that it is time to move on, and has accepted an offer on the property that will close in April 2007. As a good friend, I’m happy for Hugh, and thankful he was willing to run a parking lot and access point to the Bluffs for 14 years - he was a great help to climbers when no one else appeared to care. Secondly, the City of Penticton, and most certainly the Mayor — ironically the same mayor as in 1995 — are very well aware of the impact of climbing on the City, and that climbing represents a significant part of the tourism infrastructure of the City.

So, once again we are in the situation that to get to the Bluffs we have to find a private land owner who will either a) offer access to the Bluffs (much as Hugh did through Braesyde) or b) sell a piece of property to enable public access. Right now, these options are all being examined very actively by a group consisting of local climbers (Howie Richardson, Russ Turner, Drew Fullerton, and Hugh Lenney), The Land Conservency (Bill Turner), and the City of Penticton. Unfortunately, this process takes time, something that there is precious little before the start of the 2007 climbing season in Penticton. However, this group is working hard. The potential solutions have been identified and in the New Year, they will be working with various landowners to see which options may pan out. Be assured that everyone involved understands the need for both a short term solution for 2007, and a long-term permanent solution.

How can you contribute to this process today? A good question and to be honest, some days even I’m not sure how I can best contribute during a negotiation period, where only a few can participate effectively. However, like many of you, I am very keen to play a part.

For certain, it is clear that the City does not need any convincing that climbing is important to the local community. They already understand its importance, but perhaps at some point they may need reminding. If you feel compelled to write to the City, then do it, but it may not be the most effective way to support the process at this stage.

Quite a few people ask if they can make cash contributions. This is something that was not really anticipated, but there are two possible avenues to contribute in this manner. Firstly, there is a SKaha climbers bank account that was originally set up to pay for the first-generation of the infamous steps - you can contribute to this with a cheque to “Friends of Skaha Bluffs” (mail to Friends of Skaha, RR1 S12B C16, Kaleden BC, V0H 1K0). Alternatively, the Land Conservency is taking the lead in negotiations with land owners and the City, and you could contribute directly to them at http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/.

To end this personal note, I’ll reiterate that the support of the community in this access issue has been phenomenal and is paramount to the success of establishing a permanent access to Skaha Bluffs. Please appreciate that the climbers here in Penticton are working extremely hard with others to find a solution - we need that solution so that we can go climbing in two months! But also understand that this process will take some time, certainly to find a permanent solution, and so will require some measure of patience from all of us. This blog will endeavour to keep you up-to-date on the news as much as possible, and is happy to take any comments/suggestions/contributions you may have.

Cheers,

Sean Dougherty

As most are by now aware, access to Skaha Bluffs and the lands beyond, has been provided by the owners of Braesyde farm for the last 14 years. As of November 01, 2006, access through this property ceased and the property put up for sale. Recently, the owner Mr Hugh Dunlop, received an offer that should close by April of 2007.

The issue facing everyone who enjoys the outdoors and the beauty that the Bluffs offer (which includes but is not limited to climbers) is that all access to the Bluffs is across private lands. A task force consisting of local climbers, representatives from the City of Penticton and the Province, the Land Conservancy (TLC) and other interested parties has been convened to try and find a solution to the access question.

Approximately one month ago, after consultation with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), local climbers requested assistance from TLC. Their experience in brokering land deals, their contacts, and knowledge of Provincial processes has proven invaluable in the past. It is clear that TLC is the best agency to take the lead in finding a solution.

At this stage, the solution appears to be purchase of one or perhaps more of the privately held properties bordering the Bluffs.

The task force met for the first time yesterday (December 18th) to obtain a status report from the TLC Executive Director, Mr Bill Turner. He has initiated discussions with a number of current landowners to discuss their requirements for both a short and long term solution. It is recognized that a temporary solution will be required for 2007 as it is highly unlikely that the necessary steps to enable a permanent solution can be concluded in such a short time. We expect there to be very little activity over the Holiday season due to absentee land owners and activities generally associated with this time of year.

We are all chomping at the bit to ensure a good, workable solution for all stakeholders. However, as with all land negotiations, money speaks volumes. For those of you with the means to add financial support and credibility to the efforts of TLC, please contact them directly to discuss details of your potential contribution.

The task force expects to meet again towards the end of January 2007

Mr Dunlop has accepted an offer from an undisclosed buyer for the entire Braesyde property. The offer has a number of “subject to” clauses that, if all goes well, will be removed by 12 April 07. At that time, the new owner takes possession.

The first order of business is to offer Mr Dunlop our heartfelt congratulations as he has and remains a tremendous friend to the climbing community. We wish him all the best and perhaps should name a crag after him?

With this development, this begs the question “What now”? The response is that The Land Conservancy has become engaged with local stakeholders, including local climbers, and other interest groups, in finding a resolution to that very question. The resolution most likely will focus on finding properties or portions thereof that could be purchased or where current landowners might consider donating for “future considerations”.

The options that TLC will investigate with local support from the climbing community and other interested parties include:

1. Whether the new owner of the Braesyde property would consider a license for public access for a short period, probably two years until a permanent solution were arrived at

2. Whether the new owner would consider some of the previous options presented for access through the Braesyde property

3. A more southerly access point off East Side road through other properties without encroaching on Braesyde

4. A Northern access point through private land; and

5. A central access over private land that enables equidistant access to the Northern and Southern section of the bluffs

Local climbers will attempt to meet with the Representatives from the City early this coming week to brief them on these new developments and conduct some research that will support TLC’s efforts by rounding out their knowledge of local issues.

For all, the single most useful activity that we would ask you to engage in is to provide us with sources who may be interested in supporting TLC efforts with cash.

Your points of contact for any useful contributions would be:

Hugh Lenney

Russ Turner

Drew Fullerton

Howie Richardson

Stay tuned for our next update