The Tors is closed
29 October 2008 - 10:22pm
The owners of The Tors in the Port Hills (the Stevens) do not allow access to their land, and therefore the crag is closed.
This has been the situation for many years. Port Hills Climbing (1998) stated that the crag is closed, but recent guidebooks have overlooked the issue. Recently the farmer seemed to mellowing and there was an expectation of the closure being lifted.
Apparently there was a large instruction group at the crag a few weeks ago, and it has been suggested that this may have hardened the farmer's attitude towards climbers.
I suspect that he may be happy enough with small groups of private climbers turning up occasionally, but they should realise that they are there against the farmer's wishes and are trespassing. Obviously no professional organisation could accept operating in this situation.
CPIT did have an agreement to run small courses there occasionally, and they are not at fault.
Lindsay.
3 November 2008 - 9:22pm
#3
No, the walkway is not affected.
Hhhhmmm, wonder how that is supposed to work, from a legal standpoint. :?
I don't know what sort of agreement the CCC or DoC have with the landowner, but it would be interesting to find out if it specifically restricts access to "walkers" and/or if there is some sort of right-of-way involved.
(not implying climbers should do anything further to piss-off the farmer, just curious...)
3 November 2008 - 11:41pm
#4
true, a strange situation. i didn't realise there was an access issue. I always just thought the fact that a track ran bellow it was enough to convince me that it was open. Really like that crag to :(
4 November 2008 - 9:40pm
#6
Hhhhmmm, wonder how that is supposed to work, from a legal standpoint.
It's not that mysterious. Walkways have a particular legal status. If the farmer bought the land after the walkway was established, he would not be able to get it revoked.
True.....walkways in NZ are a uniques beast! But there still must be a written agreement between the land owner and the "Controlling Authority".
DoC Reference
I realise the owners have never been particulary well disposed towards climbers, but wouldn't it be worth a shot to try to arrange something via the CCC/PH Rangers!? They would have access to the arrangement with the owners, and at the end of the day, the only ones that could arrange an "official" change in status.
I would be more than happy to at least attempt to get the ball rolling......if I were still there, but unfortunately I am not :(
5 November 2008 - 9:48pm
#8
Yeah, the Walkways Policy is what I linked to. From my quick read through it, it sounded like any official change would have to be on paper, and arranged between the CCC and the Stevens.
I figured you would have already talked with PH Rangers at some point :D
(and fully realise that any attempt at making anything official would probably be an exercise in futility anyway..... :( )
5 February 2009 - 7:32am
#9
People are still climbing there and have , to date, had no issues with the landowners
19 February 2009 - 9:47am
#10
Hi folks
I've been in touch with the landowner (John Stevenson), and as far as he is concerned the Tors are closed. From what I can gather the landowners seem to have interpreted the relevant health and safety legislation in the "worst possible scenario", which need not be the case.
As with other crags, signage placed in appropriate locations (popular access points where people move from public to private land) warning people of the hazards they may encounter, should offer a solution.
So in conjunction with the Port Hills Rangers, we're trying to find a solution, most likely by way of signage. Will keep ya posted.
cheers
OLLIE
NZAC
19 February 2009 - 8:42pm
#11
Great to hear that there is some dialogue happening with the landowner on this - I saw 2 vans of west coast polytech students at the Tors yesterday which concerned me!
Hehe, nipped that one in the bud, you did! :wink:
That is a serious bummer though :cry: I knew access was always a bit of a :?: , but due to the fact that the Crater Rim Walkway was open, and runs directly below the crag, it was always kind of assumed that we were De Facto hikers, or something.... :?
Speaking of which, what is the situation with the CRW? Is that closed as well?