A Single Link for destination ACCESS Information

Hi Folks,

This is an adaptation of an email I sent to Chris Miller, which he has asked me to post here for additional thoughts/comments/feedback. Please let me know what you think, suggest other info that should be included, suggest better formats, and comment if you think this should be implemented!!

SUMMARY (since this is rather a long post):
My suggestion is that MP.com consolidate climbing destination access information, both general and real time/updated, in one easily located link on the main page for a climbing area (e.g. "Rumney" or, if things go well, even for sub-areas like "The Third Flatiron"). I think implementing this would hugely improve what is already a top-notch site, and make arduous internet searches and multiple calls a thing of the past.

THOUGHTS/IDEAS/FORMAT:
So many climbing areas are dependent on season, raptor-nesting, and parks access that it becomes quite hard to know whether areas are open/accessible. Though most climbing destination main pages on MP.com have a small section that states the general access (e.g. "Best climbing May-September" or "Access Road Usually Closed from December to April"), there is no single, reconciled way to determine the following:

Real-time issues:
a) Road closures, esp. related to snow and ice
b) Fire/flood/mudslide/other disaster-related closures
c) Wildlife breeding season closures
d) General park/area closures related to personnel, holidays, etc.
e) Recent temperature/weather conditions/trends such as "it's definitely warm enough now to climb on south-facing climbs (I know there is a local weather link)
f) And occasionally... willingness of landowners to allow climbers on their property

...and general issues:
a) General climbing season
b) General road conditions (e.g. gravel road not grated/maintained until May)
c) Trail conditions/severity

I think it would be practical and practicable to have a link next to "Aerial Photo/Map, Weather" on the main page for each area that sends you to a simple sticky with:

1) a general summary of access
2) a link to the local parks/recreation area/etc web page
3) a phone number to call for access information
4) a sticky beneath it with recent access updates from members.

I think that additional incentive for keeping these updated might be provided by offering 1-2 points of Kudos to members who update the thread with useful information. Importantly, though, this thread should show the latest postings first, and strongly emphasize that the sticky is not for conversations, but is for concise summaries of access information. Hopefully, this last caveat will allow "Access Info" pages/threads to be a fairly un-labor-intensive feature for Admins...

DISCUSSION: I suggest this addition to the site because MP provides almost *every* piece of information that you could possibly want about areas and routes (and warns you about gathering too much info via beta photos or text if you want to bag an onsight or figure out your own beta), but provides slightly scattered info on access. This information frequently has to be garnered from a variety of threads, and from sites external to MP.com. This is especially important when your buddy is laying on the horn, you're about to shut down your computer, and you're desperately trying to figure out whether this last-minute, April, impulse trip to Tuolumne is a good idea!!

I'd happily go to work rounding up any and all National Parks, Wilderness Areas, etc. links that pertain to access in various areas, throw in other local access info that I've garnered for California, Nevada, and Colorado areas, and send it along. Perhaps others might also be willing to endeavor similar searches for their local crags, but I'm not counting on this. However, info gathered by locals will inevitably be more accurate and timely.

Thought/comments?

Best,
Jonathan

Hmmmmm..... bump. *Ouch!* Stupid table corner.