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USFS ‘goes slow' on ice climbing - By Mark Heinz
This document was published online on Monday, February 19, 2007
Shoshone Forest officials aren't completely opposed to guided ice climbing on the South Fork, but want to approach the issue with caution, an official said.
The agency can't put commercial interests ahead of public needs, Wapiti District Ranger Terry Root said.
“A desire by a private enterprise does not rise to the level of public need,” he said.
“Do it yourself” climbers are allowed on the upper South Fork's array of frozen waterfalls, but the Forest Service has yet to allow professional guides permits to lead paying clients there.
Kenny Gasch, the Cody representative of Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, has complained that his company has for five years lobbied the USFS for a permit to guide ice climbers.
The agency has not been responsive, Gasch said. He noted there's yet to be an answer to a detailed proposal JHMG sent Dec. 7, 2006, to Shoshone Forest officials.
The company went so far as to offer to pay for an environmental assessment of the effects guided climbing might have on the South Fork, he added.
Among the main concerns is the welfare of bighorn sheep herds that winter there.
Root said his office has received JHMG's proposal, and acknowledged they have yet to respond.
Giving the idea full consideration is going to take time, Root said.
“We here at the forest are giving it a hard look,” he said.
Meanwhile, much of the public seems satisfied with ice climbing as it is, he added.
“We have said we're not really in a position yet to determine if this is a commercial activity we want on the forest,” Root said. “We haven't had a public need demonstrated to us that this is an activity that requires a commercial outfitter.”
Regarding bighorn sheep, Root said the USFS plans to consult with the Game and Fish Department and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep.
FNAWS spokesman Neil Thagard said sheep need undisturbed range, but guided ice climbing wouldn't necessarily cause a conflict.
“We don't oppose the idea of organized climbing,” he said. “What we'd like to see is that organized climbers are educated about the sheep, how to avoid them and how to teach their clients to avoid them.
“We're not going to go out and vote for organized ice climbing, but we're not going to stand in their way either,” Thagard added. “If a permit ever is offered, we would be willing to provide education to guides and their clients.”
One thing FNAWS would stand firmly against is any mechanized use of sheep winter range.
“We wouldn't want this to open up other avenues, such as to the heli-lift industry (for skiers or climbers),” he said.
Still, guided climbs, if conducted properly, could be less stressful on sheep than unorganized climbing, he noted.
“One big problem we have now is with some climbers bringing dogs and letting them run loose,” Thagard said. “I don't think guide companies would allow that to happen.”
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