Devils Gap is CLOSED!

4 replies [Last post]
sbaclimber
sbaclimber's picture
Offline
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Posts:

If this was in fact due to the actions of a climber, and someone would like to own up to it and try to make it right, that would be much appreciated....

I just got off the phone with the farm manager for Devils Gap, and he has had some serious problems over the past few weeks. The same few weeks I have not been there, so I have no idea who has been causing this trouble.
Gates have been left open, and an even worse betrayal of trust that I am not at liberty to divulge has occurred. Unfortunately, because climbers are the only members of the public who would have any reason to be on his property, he suspects that is who has been up there and not respected his wishes and just general farm courtesy.
Therefore, Devils Gap is OFF LIMITS to climbers until further notice! I told him I would present this to the community and we would approach him again regarding access only after lambing season is over (end of October).
This is inexcusable behavior, and has cost the climbing community access to one of the better crags on the Banks Peninsula. Needless to say, I am very upset that we have lost this resource, and access to Peraki Valley has also been jeopardised, simply because someone couldn't close a gate. A number of us have put a tremendous amount of time, energy and money into this crag, to make it a really good climbing destination, and the actions of one inconsiderate person have destroyed all of our efforts. I will be extremely disappointed, and quite angry if I discover that it was in fact a fellow climber!

socialclimber
Offline
Joined: 9 Nov 2004
Posts:

I only know what Gabe knows. I'd like to think it's not climbers who would be stupid enough to leave gates open, even if they might have been stupid enough to head up there without getting Grants permission. ( to date, Gabe and I are the only people to ever contact him in regards to accessing his land) I'm hugely disappointed about this. The bummer is, it is almost impossible to prove one way or the other who was responsible so this seed of distrust will be around for a while.

The loss of access is one thing but The manager is pointing the finger at climbers at present and Gabe and I represent the climbing community as far as he is concerned. Alot of the good will and trust we built with him has gone down the drain. It makes me think twice about making other discoveries public in future.

gary.k@paradise.net.nz
(H) (03)960 3702
(M) 027 2888 602

sbaclimber
sbaclimber's picture
Offline
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Posts:

........access has been regained, but only on the condition that climbers call the farmer first.
PM me if you need the number.

Frith
Offline
Joined: 31 Jul 2010
Posts:

Hi,

Do you have the number for the farm manager at devils gap? Looks like a great place to climb. Sorry to hear of the access issues.

Cheers,

 Frith

sbaclimber
sbaclimber's picture
Offline
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Posts:

sent you a PM