Smiths closed

Thats sad sad news. There goes a great crag for the mass middle grade climbing population!

I have a big problem with the situation...if its true. I have always had concerns with large organisations using crags and in some ways I really understand the owners reluctance to allow access. Instructional groups are legendary for monopolising crags aesthetically and environmentally, and often blamed for eroding the state of the envirnment by dirtying or polishing lower footholds with muddy street shoes, and are possibly the culprits of leaving rubbish (i assume innocently, because the ignorance is often managed only by one or two instructors).
In addition, these large groups are often part of 'private' profit making institutions (does a non-profit organisation even exist in todays capitalist climate?) and access areas without express permission and without paying commission to the landowners. Commision based access is standard for commercial and tourism users on DOC and private lands. Why should these crag users proclaim themselves exempt and increase the burden on recreational climbers?

On the brighter side, if this is the primary access issue in the eyes of the new Smiths owners than maybe access negotiation is still possible. Go NZAC!