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USFS shuns climbers - By Mark Heinz

This document was published online on Wednesday, February 14, 2007

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A Cody man says his company continues to receive a cold reception from Shoshone Forest officials regarding its request to guide ice climbers on the South Fork.

“The South Fork has the largest concentration of frozen water falls in the U.S.,” said Kenny Gasch, the Cody representative of Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.

That attracts many “do it yourself” climbers every winter, he added. The South Fork also is the site of the annual “Waterfall Ice Festival” - going on this weekend - which draws climbers from around the country, Gasch added. (See related story on page B-1.)

Still, his firm's efforts during the last five years to obtain a permit to guide paying customers to scale the waterfalls have been “fruitless,” he said.

“They (Shoshone Forest officials) haven't done anything in the last five years to educate themselves about the sport of ice climbing,” he said.

Rock climbing is Jackson Hole Mountain Guides' main source of revenue. The company is interested only in a small venture into guided ice climbs, at least at first, Gasch said.

“We're asking for 50 user days per season,” he said.

A “user day” is the equivalent of one person using a resource for a full day.

If the venture proves lucrative, the company might seek additional days.

Still, the idea can't get off the ground until the USFS signs off on it.

The agency has cited concerns about environmental effects and the well-being of bighorn sheep herds wintering on the upper South Fork, Gasch said.

Shoshone Forest Supervisor Becky Aus declined comment and referred questions to Wapiti District Ranger Terry Root who could not be reached for comment.

Gasch said JHMG has offered to pay for an environmental assessment to determine the possible impacts of guided ice climbing. Toward that end, he said Wednesday, a Feb. 23 meeting has been scheduled with Root.

“We're not asking for any time or effort on their part,” he added. “All we want is for them to give us the nod.”

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