Climbing Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania & Pond Bank

Hey,
I'm wondering which access group would be taking care of Pond Bank. Not that I think there is an issue in regards to access but I thought the crag could maybe use a clean-up day. Pond Bank feels a bit north for MAC and maybe a bit east for C3PA. Just wondering.

--Wannabe

So does the deafening silence on this mean nobody is interested? Bumping this in the hopes that someone will see it and speak up.

Where is that in PA?

Here are the coords: 39.8696, -77.5192

Wannabe I will put effort into pond bank. Before I saw this post (just now) I already emailed dcnr asking if pond bank was on their radar at all and said id like to start taking care of the spot. I pointed out parking can be an issue and that a trash can would be nice. The email was asking what their thoughts were on a feasible way to clean the place up and Ithrew out those suggestions/starting points Imentioned previously. No reply yet. I'm all ears. What exactly do you have in mind?

If we really want to make an effort reaching outside of mtn proj will be needed. I haven't done so yet. Maybe we are the only ones who will put effort into the place. Since its not the most badass spot many are too good for it, except when they want their quick local fix

I'm from Jersey, but definitely have a soft spot for PA Cragging.

This is kinda far for me but I'd be interested. Keep me posted on the dates and I might be able to swing by and lend a hand.

Glad to see this sort of thing actually happen. I made a sincere effort to get a local crag cleaned up and opened (all volunteer work) but the County Officials responsible for giving us permission really dragged their feet and eventually blew it off.

Michael C

Thanks Michael!

I haven't climbed down there in a couple years and i have a lot going on with family, Governor Stable, and the desire to climb at the world class destinations bordering PA as much as possible, but i'd be interested in helping out in a limited capacity. Keep me informed on what you're up to.

Seth Derr you rock dude. I'm guessing trying to organize a cleanup day and create a maintainence plan(?) with climbers for a crag would be no different then organizing anything else? I've never tried to organize something like this, not that I'm alone. Picking a weekend before the season makes sense to me especially since, like many other PA climbers, I do leave the state to climb most of the time.

What's the state of the crag now? Is it wrecked? I know a lot of kids like to go up there and party, and I honestly have no problem with that as long as they're not totally destroying the place, which partying kids do have a tendency to do. Lord knows i could win back some good karma in that department. I also remember Brown Rocks being a bit of a pain in the ass to get to, maybe mark off the easiest route up there with some cairns or something. Whatever you guys want to do. I have my offspring every other weekend but that doesn't mean I can't cart him along if you happen to pick one of those days.

Trail maintainence is great because there is 1, possibly more, tree for sure across the trail that contours the rock. Cairns to brown rocks is a good idea because that trail is definitly not easily seen and possibly not seen with fallen leaves. Trash pick up. I think a few people (more people = faster job = climbing time) with a chain saw, trash bags and a rake or two (make the trails obvious) could do a lot in one morning of continuous work. Also a sign or two might not hurt, not needed but could help with control of the area.

Nice to see a couple interested people if not any organizations. At this point it seems like a grassroots thing is the way to go. Here's what I have in mind as now:

1. Document the state of the crag as much as possible before the work is done. Being able to show landowners that we're good area users is good for us as climbers.

2. Get more people out to the crag in the early spring. Build some interest/ connect with the people already climbing there. I just started going and am NOT plugged into the local scene. I know the crag is a bit short and possibly limited but many of the cracks are W-I-D-E which makes it somewhat unique in terms of what it offers at least me-- I don't know about you guys.

3. Maybe do a low-key clean-up day and see how that goes and see what impact that has on other users.

4. Reach out to the nearby college campus and some of the student clubs like the environmental club. Probably some climbers AND volunteers in that club.

5. Maybe if it makes sense because of continued need/interest put together a little "friends of pond bank" organization with the intent of running one or two clean-ups a year as needed until ALL the users get the picture that somebody gives a shit.

Thoughts?

--Wannabe