Climbing Monument Valley?

I heard somewhere along the way that Monument Valley was recently opened to climbing. does anyone know more? Permision/permits?

AJ Onsight,

Sounds too good to be true. I've wanted to do The Totem Pole my whole life. I think that RickD is correct.

AJ, you probably realize that Monument Valley is on the Navajo reservation, and not on public lands. The formations themselves are considered sacred by the Navajo and it is highly unlikely that anything there is or ever will be open to climbing.

Would someone try to poach a climb in there? Possibly. The blowback would make that little Dean Potter Climbed Delicate Arch bugaboo look miniscule. Might as well fly out to Rome and poach an urban climb on the Sistine Chapel.

Hmmm... now there's a thought!

What would you be willing to pay to climb the Totem Pole?

$5
$50
$500
$1000 How about for a team of 4?

Seriously, if they opened it up on a pay to climb basis, what would you realistically be willing to pay to climb it?

I think I would pay up to $150 to stand on that summit.

And to all you old schoolers out there that did climb this thing back in the day when it wasn't a problem I have two thoughts... "you're all lucky bastards and I would love to buy you a beer and hear the story!"

so get this: they're letting Red Bull Have a Jet race through the Monument; they got to let people climb!

This came up on SuperTopo last year. This was the tribe's response. I checked and it has not changed since then. And no, they don't have to let people climb.

==================================================================

PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION
March 7, 2006 Martin L. Begaye, 928/871-6647

NO ROCK CLIMBING AT MONUMENT VALLEY

Recent stories have disseminated information that Monument Valley will soon be opened to rock climbing. The provider of this information states that they are working with the Navajo Nation to negotiate an agreement that will allow them to start rock climbing expeditions in conjunction with a local Navajo Tour Operator.

As of this date, the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, the resource manager of Monument Valley Tribal Park, is not negotiating with any company with the intent of authorizing rock climbing in Monument Valley. There had been a similar proposal about two years ago from The Access Fund, a national rock climbing organization, but this proposal was not favorably received by the local residents. Ray Russell, Department Manager, stated that “this proposal will likely meet the same fate and we would not be open to any activity that would desecrate the sacred significance of the rock formations under our charge.” The company promoting this proposal was informed of this earlier attempt and they were advised that getting the residents’ support was a first step but the final decision lies with the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department.

It is possible that the company may be working with the tour operator to promote this venture but the Parks and Recreation Department has not been formally approached with a written proposal. It is unlikely that authorization will be given in light of the unfavorable publicity already generated by the premature announcement.

navajonationparks.org

Make the most of what you yet may spend, before you into dust descend.

Had a little too much #9 stopper action Todd???

Its not open, gang. Its that simple. There are a couple locals claiming they will take you out for a fee, but they are doing this illegaly and if you go with them you will still get thrown in jail and cause a big stir.
I hate to say this, but I think we should just stay away for a while.

Just to clarify, I am not advocating climbing on the res. It is definitely illegal and that is unlikely to change. Obviously we should respect their right to govern their own land as they see fit.

I am trying to start a theoretical discussion here.

I am curious what people would be willing to pay if they could climb the Totem Pole legitimately? I assume no one would pay anything to climb Bullwinkle Tower in Arches, but this is the Pole we're talking about.

What would you pay?

I wouldn't pay a penny to climb the pole. If it was so sacred why would they let people who have paid enough coin to jump off it, climb it, etc? It's a rock. If rocks can be sacred to some why can't it be sacred to all. Like me. Let me worship a rock of my choosing. Like the totem pole!

Isn't religious worship where climbing started in the first place? People climbed mountains to get closer to God.

How come the Navajo's are so uptight about monument valley but could care less about Shiprock. Both are on reservation land are they not?

Danno,

Shiprock is also off-limits to climbing.

Brad wrote: "What would you be willing to pay to climb the Totem Pole?"

From what I've seen and read, these formations are very sacred sites to the Navaho unless there is a lot of money involved. If there is a lot of money to be made, they are suddenly given a short window of non-sacredness until the check has been cashed, after which the formations become sacred once again.

It seems that I am not being clear... let me try again...

YOU WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED TO CLIMB THE TOTEM POLE!!!! EVER!!!

It does not matter why they don't want you on it. It does not matter who they have allowed to climb it in the past or for what reasons they allowed those past ascents.

All that matters is that they own it and don't want you on it.

Now.... THEORETICALLY...

How much cash would you be willing to part with for the chance to stand on the most classic desert spire on Earth?

Anyone?

Getting on Shiprock is doable if you talk nice and to the right people, basically, if you ask for permission, and if it is granted.

I would pay 20 bucks to stand on Bullwinkle... 150 to stand on the Totem Pole... and probably the same to stand on Cleopatra's Needle. 80 to stand on Standing Rock. 60 to stand on the Titan.

Oh yeah, I know people who climb in the Monument, they do so at sneaky times. Cold Christmas mornings, etc. Anyway, bad Karma for that I say.

In the past, If I saw a rock in National Geographic that looked exactly like the Totem Pole (hypothetically) and it was in the middle of the Takla Mekan desert, I would con a partner, buy a plane ticket, see Bejing, fly to Urumchi and then take whatever I had to to get out to the tower. I used Nat Geo in this manner a number of times, sometimes finding nothing worth the effort and cost (Palawan, Philippines), and others truly hitting El Dorado (Railay Beach). Each time it cost somewhere around 3 grand... That's when gas was cheap.

On the other hand, Copper Canyon is not much more than a day away by car and I haven't bothered.

So how much would I pay to climb something like the Totem Pole... it seems that if you put it on the other side of the world I'd pay a few thousand bucks, but since it's in the back yard I won't pay anything.
Make sense of that one... let's face it, most of you would be willing to make an expedition out of the Totem Pole for such a summit, but we won't pay expedition prices for it cus it's here.
Maybe it would be different if it was more exotic... get some guys doing some dancing and playing drums around the base, maybe string someone up or something... that might make it worth the 3 grand.

Too true Sam.

The exotic factor is strong in us. Grass is greener mentality too...

Hey, I've got an idea. How about we say that the land under Lake Powell is sacred to us? Something REALLY important happened there a long time ago. And say that the dam must go, to reveal our sacred places again? And that our religious pratice includes climbing the rocks that the Creator put there for us? Any chance that might work?

Don't Be A Jerk Edit: Oops, I forgot to read Guideline #1. Sorry.

Heyduke already tried it. No Luck.