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. 

Posted by accesspip at 11:23 AM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 18 July 2009 11:42 AM EDT

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Earlier today I sent an email to the Superintendent of Palisades Interstate Park for his review.

Attached to the email was a proposal/request asking that the current ban on climbing in Palisades Interstate Park be modified to permit technical rock climbing.

The Access Fund is listed as a Supporter of the initiative.

The American Alpine Club National Organization and the New York Section of the American Alpine Club were both listed as Interested Parties.

Additional Interested Parties in the proposal were the Greater New York City Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, The Alpine Scout Camp and the New Jersey Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD).

I wish to thank all the organizations for their help with this initiative.

Michael J. Borga, Jr.

Posted by accesspip at 9:25 PM EDT

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Recently I had a short discussion on the phone with Mr. James Hall, Superintendent and Executive Director of Palisades Interstate Park, about the possibility of having the restrictions on rock climbing in the park reviewed and possibly changed to allow technical rock climbing. 

Much to my delight, Mr. Hall suggested that I put together a proposal for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to consider. 

Posted by accesspip at 9:26 PM EDT

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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/29colnj.html

His Perennial Plea: Just Let Us Climb!

A quote from the article: “The law’s a dumb law — do away with it,” he said. “Hikers don’t have to do it, bike riders don’t have to do it. Why climbers?” 

Posted by accesspip at 1:18 PM EDT

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http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/12/15/sports/golf/1194835655194/the-old-man-of-the-mountains.html 

It is nothing less than inspiring!

The comment about never getting injured climbing except for when he got distracted in a bar by a pretty girl and fell off a bar stool is absolutely classic!

Posted by accesspip at 12:37 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 16 May 2009 12:45 PM EDT

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I recently contacted the Access Fund requesting assistance in an effort to reform the currently highly restrictive access issues regarding Rock Climbing on the Palisades in the Palisades Interstate Park. The response was positive.

We will be looking for support and assistance in this effort from the climbing communities in both NY and NJ.

The Palisades extend for approximately 20 miles and range in height from 120 to 300 feet high (according to Wikipedia they are between 350 to 550 feet tall) and by my estimate probably have more than 10,000 potential routes on excellent rock. This is an excellent multi-pitch recreational facility in the heart of the New York City Metropolitan Area.

Palisades Interstate Park can be reached with a short subway, train or bus ride by approximately 11 million residents, rather than the personal transportation required to reach the Shawangunks or the Delaware Water Gap providing a huge environmental benefit for all through the use of the public transportation system and reduced hydrocarbon emissions.

Recreational programs, Boy and Girl Scouts programs, Search and Rescue, Fire, Police, First Aid squads would all benefit from having this local resource available for their use.

If you would like to assist us in this effort to bring the Palisades Interstate Park into conformity with the current access requirements of the NJ State Park System, i.e. a signed waiver of liability, rather than the onerous, outdated system currently in place, please send an email to IClimbNJ@aol.com with your contact information and any additional information you deem appropriate.

You can expect to receive a responding email from Michael Borga in a maximum of 2-3 days.

Thanking you in advance for your assistance,

Michael J. Borga Jr.

Posted by accesspip at 4:11 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 2 May 2009 9:24 AM EDT

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