The Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) has hired two climbing rangers to patrol the increasingly popular climbing and bouldering areas in the Bishop area. This is the third year of the program.
Climbing in the Eastern Sierra is an interagency activity, so the climbing rangers are supported by numerous partners: the Bishop Area Climbers Coalition, Bishop Area of Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Inyo, Los Angeles Department of Power and Water, Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office and the Inyo National Forest.
The rangers will be focused on the Tablelands, Happys and Sads, the Buttermilks, Pine Creek, the Gorge and Upper Gorge, and the Druids.
One the of main goals is for the rangers is to provide education to climbers about where to park and camp, leave no trace principles, and climbing etiquette. Events like climber coffees will help develop a community forum for climbers in the area.
The climbing rangers will also track visitor use patterns including documenting parking and camping uses and tracking changes.
Lastly, the rangers will oversee restoration and stewardship activities such as campsite clean-up, trail delineation, educational signage, planting native plants in heavily used areas, etc. They will help coordinate volunteer events and look to remedy issues such as off-road travel and otherwise recommend long -term solutions to increasing use patterns.
Ranger Bios:
Timothy Golden: Tim is excited to encourage responsible and respectful use of natural and cultural landscapes. Tim is the co-founder and former Director of Special Projects for the Bishop Area Climbers Coalition (BACC), and so very familiar with the realities of climbing usage in Bishop. With BACC, Tim completed the Economic Impact of Climbing study for the Bishop Area in partnership with Eastern Kentucky University. During the data collection process of the study, he worked with the climbing rangers to collect car counts and other relevant use data. He worked with a team of local climber volunteers to survey visiting climbers.
Tim led numerous projects with the BACC including a Digital Event Series to benefit a local area non-profit to organizing the first coalition meeting with LADWP and a follow-up proposal intent on building a long-term relationship.
Tim was a president of the Bay Area Climbers Coalition. In that role, he supported the organization and execution of numerous stewardship projects – which included organizing volunteer teams in trail-building, graffiti removal, and re-bolting.
Tim is a member of Inyo County Search and Rescue.
Savanna Deger: Savanna grew up in Yosemite National Park, where she learned to place a high value on understanding the intertwined relationship between outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.
She earned a B.S. in Environmental Education & Interpretation, where she gained the skills to promote and facilitate environmental stewardship projects, connect visitors to resources, and provide high-quality interpretive programs. As a passionate climber and naturalist, the Eastern Sierra is the perfect place put these skills to use while staying close her roots.
At the Mono Lake Committee, she co-led programs using an assortment of interpretive techniques with youth from various backgrounds and tailored her message and conveyed ecological problems and how they related to our audience.
As a ranger with the US Forest Service and National Park Service, she has engaged visitors of all backgrounds in tough discussions about appropriate behavior and Leave No Trace principles.
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More people equals more pressure on the area. It’s not going to get better, it’s going to get worse. You can bank on it.
Growing populations always means less freedoms. There will always be a certain percentage of the population that will be naughty or flat out pigs. Larger populations also mean larger governments to keep things from getting too outa hand. Someone must pay for these services which usually means user permits, shuttle buses, fees and taxes. And don’t forget the fences, lots and lots of fences. California now has more than 40 million people who are mostly urban and know nothing about wild areas because there are none left where they spend most of their lives. So yeah, when they get here a lot of them make messes and go nuts trying to have some fun. Soon the buttermilks will be just like Mt. Whitney, fee permits, quotas and all the rest of it. Suprise!!
I have a US government topographical map dated 1949 that call the area you are talking about as buttermilk country not the buttermilks.
Sorry not sorry your sensibilities are offended by the colloquial adoption by a different user group.
take things personally, do you?
You’ll be horrified to know that in addition to using “the Buttermilks” to refer to a specific area within Buttermilk Country ( which are plural boulders) these heathens have NAMED THE INDIVDUAL BOULDERS! Oh, the impropriety!
Don’t worry about my sensibilities being offended. Just wondering where you herd the term “the buttermilks”?
Sorry Local 4 ever, my question was not to you but thanks for your thoughts.
I’m only posting to state that I read the article, gave the first commenter David Dennison an up vote, only to see it register as a down vote. Not encouraging…
Visiting
To explain what I mean by my post,not trying to be negative,and if it is friendly visits and suggestions to climbers,I’m all for it.
But I’ve had past problems with camphosts,even USFS employees banging on my camper window at 9 P.M. asking in a mean way “if I paid my campground fee”.
Once a camphost telling me how to build a fire in the fire ring.
If they hire enforcement officers for things,maybe a good idea nowdays the way things have got to be up here.
But not self appointed “officers” going a step too far,like some of them try to do.
This here might be a good thing,I’m not a rock climber so I don’t really know.
But speaking for myself,when I’m out camping ,hiking or fishing,I usually want to be left alone,not needing or wanting advise or anyone asking questions and poking around.
Don’t want to sound to negative,but I hope this idea works out for the best.
At times,it seems way to much governing of things and activities,not only here in the Sierra,but other places outdoors too with just about everything one chooses to do without “big brother” maybe showing up offering advise and keeping a watchful eye on everyone.
If this turns out to be friendly contact and visits,not a problem for anyone trying to enjoy their hobby-time.
But if it goes beyond that (which I hope it doesn’t ) and turns into a policing “neighborhood watch ” sort of thing with possible citations or calling in Law Enforcement if something they see they don’t feel is right,it’s probably the last thing we need when we choose to visit the hills and mountains of Inyo and Mono County.
David, nice sentiment, but it is rare when government acknowledges limits. Get the camel’s nose under the tent and you’re done for.
Dennis, remember the spring, summer and fall of 2020 when so many public lands were overrun with legal and illegal camping, illegal campfires, trash, torn up landscape, and people pooping all over? Your precious Alabama Hills you commented on so often? Didn’t you want someone out there to keep people from trashing our local areas?
Unless you are in one of the Bishop rock climbing areas driving your euro van or Subaru over the brush to park, camp and live in your vehicle for several weeks, starting illegal campfires, pooping next to the trail, or soaping up to bathe in a creek, you are probably going to be just fine if you happen to see one of the climbing rangers.
Alabamas
I do remember the Alabama Hills,this year and last…and how it was over-run by tourists.
But like I’m trying to say,maybe these climbing areas do need enforcement and an eye on people dumping trash and pooping everywhere.
If the enforcement is handled correctly.
I’m all for enforcement of rules being followed to keep our areas clean and proper.
But not by people….civilians….like I mentioned in my above post,like I’ve had to deal with in the past..
And I’m not saying these new hired Rangers will be that way.
Much like “neighborhood watch” is meant to be,but sometimes isn’t..
If there is something seen that’s being done,time to call Law Enforcement to correct or enforce the rules….by these two Rangers or anyone else seeing rules being violated.
It’s a fine line to follow and understand.
This program has been in place for a few years….