A CTCC Majority Response to:
Larry Kruse's "An Open Letter to Climbers in Central Texas"

Dear Fellow Climbers,

On behalf of the 6 other elected members of the Central Texas Climbing Committee (CTCC), let us state that there is not a "schism". The opinions of Mr. Kruse are the only dissenting ones on this issue. We believe that Mr. Kruse raises some good issues that allow us the opportunity to explain the facts regarding trail construction initiatives at Enchanted Rock and to use this opportunity to ask for your support. This is a very challenging time for E-Rock and the signs of wear and tear are everywhere. The park visitation peaked a few years ago at nearly 360,000 visitors per year. Think about it, this equates to an average of almost 1,000 persons per day (every day of the year). Since most visitation occurs on weekends, the problems are exacerbated and an incredible amount of foot traffic over short intervals lead directly to the degradation and erosion of the trails that we all have observed. Visitation has decreased, but is still in the range of 300,000 visitors per year. This is not an issue about climbing, as Mr. Kruse has stated. This is an issue about the future environmental health of Enchanted Rock.

The original trails at Enchanted Rock were constructed by TPWD employees, however, the original design did not account for the sheer volume of traffic that has overwhelmed the park. Jim Angel (renowned US Forest Service trail builder) gave a clinic in the early 90's at Enchanted Rock and Barry Wilson attended this course using a grant from the Access Fund. Barry is now "certified" to supervise trail construction at Enchanted Rock and shares this designation with only 2 other individuals at E-rock, both TPWD employees. Their first effort addressed the lower sections of the Motorboat Rock area, but was limited in scope and lead to future persistent erosion problems.

Since 1995, the major portion of the proceeds from the Granite Gripper climbing competition have been reserved for conservation work. Through contributions of these proceeds by leaders of the climbing clubs, the CTCC began to hold these funds until a meaningful trail construction effort could be initiated. Additional funding was secured from a number of sources including The American Alpine Club ($2.5K), volunteer grants from Exxon secured by Natalie Merrill and Paul Majers ($2K), more contributions from 4 of the major climbing clubs in Texas, and other contributions from climbing related businesses. To date, about $10K has been expended in the reconstruction of the lower Echo Canyon trail, Motorboat Rock (purple) trail, News Wall (blue) trail, and portions of the Triple Cracks trail. The money was used to purchase and transport construction materials, equipment, and supplies. All the labor has been volunteer (mostly by climbers) and we are very proud of the results. This work is a fantastic legacy that has been built largely by the climbing community of our own initiative and financial commitment.

The Friends of Enchanted Rock (FOER) was formed as a non-profit corporation last year with a much broader mission of preserving and conserving the resources of Enchanted Rock, improving infrastructure and facilities, and creating interpretive and educational programs for the park. Facilities include trails, campgrounds, bathrooms, group meeting spots, and other things from which climbers derive a direct benefit. In 2000, the FOER applied for a grant from the Federal Government (USDOT) and was subsequently awarded over $30K to purchase tools and all the materials necessary to reconstruct the severely degraded lower portion of the Summit Trail and the Upper portion of the Echo Canyon Trail. This money must be provided up front by TPWD from a reserve fund and will later be reimbursed by the Federal Government from highway funds. The grant requires that 20% of the project cost be the responsibility of the park (E-rock) and 80% will be reimbursed. TPWD does not have the money in the park budget to fund this 20% match. However, any volunteer labor provided in the construction of the project will be counted at a minimum hourly wage toward the 20% match. This is the only way that this project can be successful.

The FOER has not solicited any CTCC funds for this project and it is not anticipated that CTCC would agree to provide them. The CTCC is not directly accepting the responsibility of managing this project, although some of the CTCC membership are also members of the FOER board. For those CTCC members that are also on the board for the FOER, it is not perceived to be a conflict of interest, but rather an honor. Where is it written that climbers must always be in conflict with everyone? Both organizations are volunteer (uncompensated) and require a tremendous amount of dedication to Enchanted Rock. The Charter for the CTCC states specifically in Article II (2) (d) that one of the general purposes for the CTCC is "To develop plans with landowners and land managers to facilitate climbing access, minimize adverse resource and environmental impact, and preserve existing resources". We do not perceive the Summit Trail project to be in conflict with our Charter.

Many of the tools, like chain saws, hoists, cables, web straps, rock drills, hand tools, and wheelbarrows will be purchased using Federal money and will become the property of E-Rock. These tools may be used on numerous other projects including maintenance of previously constructed trails and new trail initiatives. Volunteers for this trail work will be solicited from all user groups at E-Rock (hikers, scouts, bird watchers, photographers, tourists, conservationists, etc.). But, the success of the Summit Trail project may depend largely upon the great amount of experience and energy of the climber's contribution. We (and also the park management) understand that the experience gained over the past 3 years of trail building makes the climbing community a great asset for the park.

With the understanding that the FOER grant brings much needed money and improvement to Enchanted Rock as a whole. The tremendous goodwill it has already fostered with the park management and the value of bringing many different user groups (including climbers) together to help mitigate the cumulative damage and continued future degradation of the trails at E-Rock is a great thing. Climbers have always led the way in conservation efforts at E-Rock and we should use this opportunity to show other user groups how it is done. Only by education and hard work will they become aware of their impacts and the level of effort required to counter-act them.

CTCC funds for trail work are currently limited to about $800 remaining. Additional funds from last years Granite Gripper may be transferred to this balance, if needed. The current project, reconstructing the News Wall (blue) trail, is nearing completion. At this time, there are no other approved trail projects in the park (aside from the Summit Trail). The time frame for the Summit Trail project will be starting in Fall 2001, only after the work on the News Wall Trail is complete. The CTCC intends to continue in our efforts to assess the condition of the trails in the park and work to maintain and improve trails that provide access to climbing areas. The timing of these projects will depend largely upon resources and available funding. This is an on-going process that may never be completed.

As members of the CTCC, we always encourage your direct input. Please reflect upon the tremendous opportunity and challenge that has been presented to us and the love that we all have for Enchanted Rock. By pledging our support and helping the FOER to accomplish its goals, we all benefit. Should you make the personal choice to abstain from involvement in the Summit Trail project, please respect the fact that the project is attempting to bring much needed funding and improvements to Enchanted Rock that would not otherwise be available. Your continued support is valued and very much needed in this effort.

Safe Climbing,

CENTRAL TEXAS CLIMBING COMMITTEE

Mike Lewis, Chair
Denise Wilks, Treasurer
Barry Wilson
Gail Billings
Rick Watson
John Myrick