The American Alpine Institute just received this letter from the American Mountain Guides Association:
Boulder, Colorado——- In response to the National Park Service’s
recent draft proposal to prohibit guided climbing in the Black Canyon of
the Gunnison National Park, Senator Mark Udall (D-CO), Senator Michael
Bennet (D-CO), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), and Representative Scott
Tipton (R-CO) recently urged the National Park Service to reconsider the
proposal.In a joint letter written by Udall, Bennet and Baucus
the Senators wrote, “While most climbers in the park choose not to
climb with a guide, many do utilize guides, and we believe that given
the extremely challenging nature of climbing in the Black Canyon, the
option to climb with a guide should be available.” This sentiment was
reinforced by Rep. Tipton, who wrote in his letter, “…if adopted, the
Proposal will reduce opportunities for safe, facilitated wilderness
recreation and education not only at the Black Canyon but also in other
areas of our country’s great National Park System.” Betsy Winter,
Executive Director for the AMGA, applauded the congressional
intervention and renewed the organization’s request for a suitable
Wilderness management plan.“The AMGA is grateful for the
support of Senators Udall, Bennet, Baucus and Rep. Tipton, and shares
their goal to protect the unique wilderness character of the Black
Canyon. Like our partners in Congress, the AMGA believes that sound
wilderness management policy for the Black Canyon does not require
elimination of a service that enhances safety, enjoyment, and personal
growth for the countless visitors that choose to partner with a licensed
guide when enjoying the legendary vertical challenges found only in the
Black Canyon. Consequently, the AMGA looks forward to working with our
partners in Congress and in the National Park Service to ensure that
visitors to the Black Canyon continue to have access to guided climbing
in 2012 and beyond.While the proposal to eliminate guided
climbing access in the Black Canyon is still on the table, I am very
encouraged by the support and attention our Senators and Congressmen
have given to this very important issue. By far, this is one of the most
consequential proposals our profession has faced, due to the potential
negative impacts it could have on AMGA membership and the mountain
guiding community at large. The AMGA and our constituents, therefore
thank the members of Congress for taking notice of the concerns
expressed by the climbing and guiding profession, and look forward to
working with the National Park Service to reverse their draft proposal.”About
the American Mountain Guides Association
For over 30 years,
the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) has inspired an
exceptional client experience as the premier source for training,
credentials, resource stewardship and services for professional mountain
guides and climbing instructors in the United States. A national
non-profit, the AMGA is committed to enhancing the quality of outdoor
services provided to the public, while serving as a resource for
accessing and protecting the natural environment. The AMGA is our
nation’s exclusive representative to the International Federation of
Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), the international governing body
responsible for guiding standards and education around the world. For
more information please visit www.amga.com.To access the full text from
the congressional letters as well as video of Representative Tipton
questioning NPS Director, Jon Jarvis on the proposal, please visit http://amga.com/about/BlackCanyon_Response.php.