Hueco's Mushroom Boulder Closed to Climbing

The Mushroom Boulder at North Mountain in Hueco Tanks State Park,has been closed to climbing by park management.

One of the most significant boulders in North America, this boulder featured the problems "Center El Murry" the V-scale standard for V6, "Mushroom Roof" the scale's standard for V8, and many other classics.

So far, no legitimate reason for the closure has surfaced, and apparently no climbing groups were consulted before the closure was enacted.

The climbing community should be outraged by this development and this historic boulder should not be allowed to slip away from us.

The climbing.com post about it states that it "has been closed to climbing to protect the soil, plant life, and possible archaeological resources under the rock."

Is this just BS?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well!

Well what if... underneath Mushroom Roof there is actually a neolithic skeleton and burial site unearthed by people pushing pads around and foot traffic erosion?

Then some boulderer gets a bug up his ass & decides that this is all just a BS ploy by "the MAN" to keep control over him. Keepin' him down, not sending. So he decides to ignore the closure.

Then the park service finds out, gets a bug up their ass, and closes the whole park... again. Putting us back in the late 90's, digging our selves out of a hole again just because we have some authority figure complex?

Plausible?
Why don't we all just cool it. It'll get sorted out.

What was this guy looking for?

CHill wrote:The Mushroom Boulder at North Mountain in Hueco Tanks State Park,has been closed to climbing by park management. One of the most significant boulders in North America, this boulder featured the problems "Center El Murry" the V-scale standard for V6, "Mushroom Roof" the scale's standard for V8, and many other classics. So far, no legitimate reason for the closure has surfaced, and apparently no climbing groups were consulted before the closure was enacted. The climbing community should be outraged by this development and this historic boulder should not be allowed to slip away from us.

Chris,

No doubt this sucks--big time. Artifacts "under" the boulder???? Give me a break; I call BS. I mean, if that's really the problem (and they were OK with the artifacts being buried before) just bury them again. I suspect there is a more sinister motive at work by Texas Parks.

Curt

~ just forwarding notice received from Access Fund, maybe Diana has more details...

Mushroom Boulder At Hueco Tanks State Historic Park Closed

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has closed the Mushroom Boulder at Hueco Tanks State Historic Park (Hueco Tanks) to all foot traffic, including climbing. Studies conducted by TPWD assert that erosion caused by human activity, including the placement and movement of crash pads, has exposed archeological resources within the soil. These previously covered resources include preserved flora and fauna remains as well as preserved cultural resources. TPWD's archeologists recommended closure of the site to all foot traffic to preserve these resources, an action which was executed by park managers on December 22, 2007.

The Access Fund has contacted TPWD and Hueco locals to assess options that will allow for continued access to the Mushroom Boulder. The Access Fund is also evaluating climbing management practices that will prevent similar erosion at other sites within Hueco Tanks. The Access Fund looks forward to collaborating with TPWD and local climbers to reach a solution that will preserve any archeological resources and allow for continued bouldering at Hueco Tanks.

In the meantime, the Access Fund asks climbers to respect the current closure of the Mushroom Boulder and stay tuned for future updates. For more information email diana@accessfund.org.

i was the last climber on mushroom boulder before it was closed. we were told that it was to mitigate further erosion to protect "buried artifacts." there is a meeting tonight to hear/discuss the closure.

i think it is bs personally. however the park service said they have documentation of soil erosion amounting to 10 cm/in over the last 6-8 years.

maybe we could all just pitch a handful of soil back under the boulder when we walk by!

bwillem wrote:i was the last climber on mushroom boulder before it was closed.

I'm currious, for sentimental reasons, what was the last problem you sent?

left el murray, fell from the slab on mushroom roof while they pounded the sign in :-(