The Palisades Interstate Park Superintendent has responded to our request/proposal. No one interested in the gaining of access to PIP should be deterred by the traditional concerns and issues involved in their denial of the request.
Here is the text of the email I received.
Michael, I have reviewed your rock climbing proposal and also discussed with our legal counsel. Unfortunately we are still of the opinion that rock climbing on the palisades posses too large a risk and liability. Our counsel has significant concerns regarding liability with from both injury and a response perspective. We have already had past litigation on a portion of this issue that was not favorable to us. Additionally, in order to climb the palisades, the approaches tend to be either very close to the lower road or require access over the steep talus slopes, both of which offer significant hazards to the climbers or other park users. Also, while the rock of the palisades is quite hard, it also has significant fractures which result in frequent rock falls/slides most minor but some significant. There have been three in the past 4 years large enough to bury the lower road under 5 plus feet of rock and in one case took out the road entirely. It is not uncommon for us to have to pick up fallen rock off the road.For these reasons it is not reasonable for us to open the palisades cliffs to rock climbing. If you have any questions I would be glad to respond or discuss them with you.
This response represents merely the beginning of the discussion to bring rock climbing to the Palisades Interstate Park and we will be continuing the quest.
Posted by accesspip
at 11:23 AM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 18 July 2009 11:42 AM EDT
