What is different about me? I will not propagate trespassing idiots. I will show my friends the true Hunters, also known as Rocky Ridge Natural Area. The area that is in majority, out of public lands. An area that is so underdeveloped because trespassing to the illegal area is all anyone knows.

So Yes, I do spit and piss on the local ethics. I think it's bullshit. I will side with the land owner any day and say that people should not be climbing where it is illegal. Thats the law, sorry if you don't like it, but you can move outside the US to sweden if you can't. Sweden has no private land, you are allowed to climb, hike, camp, bike anywhere. Of course this means you can't "own" land and the government can take it back anytime you want. Fortunately we live in the US, where you can own land. If it was me, I would allow people to climb on my private land. It's not me, so we have to respect the owners wishes. Well, as we have seen in the past, the local climbers do not respect the owners wishes. In fact, I think that locals are so worried about being caught trespassing, that the introduction of anyone new to the area could throw off their secret expeditions.

I want to clarify "locals" too. From what I know, most of the "locals" are not from huntington area, or even McAlveys Fort. They are from State College, better known as Penn State! These punks come here in their 20's and think that they are some sort of gift to the area. They climb in the area and then when schooling is done, they leave. In fact, most of the people arguing to keep it secret no longer live in the area. Please, by all means let me know if I'm wrong, anybody

Rob, sorry to reply so late I was out of the country. I'm a recent Physician assistant grad and orthopaedic associates seems like a real class organization.

On the subject at hand thespider wrote


First thing, the ridge is not underdeveloped. I have hiked the entire ridge as has most people who frequent the area. Yeah, we find some new stuff...mostly lowballs or highballs with bad landings.

Secondly, your view of who the locals are is wrong. I went to Penn State and found Hunters from my brother in law who has a buddy whose parents own one of the cabins nearby. I went, explored, met some locals, they showed me some other areas and we all became friends. I moved back to where I grew up, an 1 1/2 hours away but still go fairly regularly. Some people have moved on, others have been in state college for 20 years. Chances are you haven't run into many people out there due to the fact that most of us are into exploring for new areas, cleaning boulders, and climbing with friends.

Now here's the real issue, the main area of hunters is the most concentrated and happens to be on private land. There is a hunting cabin at the bottom, I believe that the owner really has no problem with climbers on his land. What he does have a problem with is people going up there during fall/spring turkey and deer season. There have been times when he was hunting and got pissed when climbers/other hunters were there. He also does not want people down by his cabin due to a break in a few years ago(certainly not by a climber).

There was a drTopo guide to Hunter's that was up about 2 weeks, it was pulled due to private land issues. Around that time I noticed a lot more trash (human feces and TP under MDSF and along trails) and some large youth groups camping around the fire pit at the top of the trail(tons of trash around the pit) and then setting up topropes around Mojo. Coincidence, maybe, I don't know. I doubt the landowner would like it if he knew about it.

Climbing on private land is fact of life on the East coast, there's hush hush areas in PA, WV, New York, CT, Mass, the rest of New England, NC, and through all of the deep south. All you can do is be friendly to the landowners, work with them, and recognize when not to be there.

I just hope that people who go to Hunter's realize that there are access issues and not do anything that could piss off the landowner. like I said I don't think he has a problem with climbers, but that's not to say he wouldn't if people start doing things they shouldn't be.

Spider, I'll probably run into you at some time at hunter's and I'll be the first to through my pad down and give a spot or share some info. It seems like you mean well, but I believe your approach is off. IMHO, I wouldn't screw up access to some boulders just to document all the others.

Brian