Needles Lookout Rebuild!!!

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Messages 21 - 40 of total 52 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
ec

climber
ca
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 1, 2014 - 11:50pm PT
I never wanted input here. Input to the Feds.

 ec
j-tree

Big Wall climber
Classroom to crag to summer camp
Mar 2, 2014 - 04:00am PT
I've been there. Couldn't care less if it was there or not.
justthemaid

climber
Jim Henson's Basement
Mar 2, 2014 - 09:05am PT
Randisi kinda brings up a good point I hadn't considered. It was a really cool structure. It really sucks that it got destroyed, but I don't understand rebuilding it. It's not the '20s any more. We have satellites to monitor fires these days, and don't need lookout towers. In light of the complaints about a lack of $ for road maintenance... it seems a bit wasteful to put money into it.

MikeL

Trad climber
SANTA CLARA, CA
Mar 2, 2014 - 11:57am PT
Never had the cookies, but Margee was a class act and a wonderful person to visit the times that I climbed there.

If forgoing the rebuilding of the structure will threaten future climbing, then rebuild. If not, then no matter other than losing a piece of nostalgia. Everything is impermanent . . . even memories.
ec

climber
ca
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 2, 2014 - 08:20pm PT
BJ, I wasn't crying, buddy. Yeahs public forums have their moments.

Whatever...thx for the apology.

 ec
TGT

Social climber
So Cal
Mar 2, 2014 - 08:32pm PT
Yes,

Let's get rid of these blights on the landscape too.





Margie's house somehow had more of this feel minus the crowds.


Hope they can find a vintage firefinder to equip it with.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
May 7, 2014 - 03:02pm PT
It boggles my mind that climbers would be the main proponents of installing a tourist attraction on top of some of California's finest rocks.

While there's a vocal segment of climbers who support the rebuild, climbers are nowhere near the main proponents. I've been to meetings of the Giant Sequoia Nat. Monument Association, hardly a climbers group, and the numbers of hikers clubs, school and church groups, scout groups and so forth who have pressured the FS to rebuild the lookout dwarfs the numbers of climbers. Basically climbers have zero clout in this decision.

I agree with the decision, and as my friend I respect your point of view. The Needles Lookout was unique among such structures, and just because I would favor seeing it restored does not mean I support building new lookouts all over the place. I think that is a straw man argument.
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
May 7, 2014 - 03:14pm PT
Generally, I am opposed to structures in the wilderness. But the Needles Lookout was unique as far as I'm concerned. And, other than replacing this particular one, it's not like the Forest Service is going to implement a new policy of building new ones where there were none before.

While I can't say that I'd cry bitter tears if all evidence of the lookout and the stairs were removed, leaving it somewhat pristine. That would be remarkable frankly. At the same time I would be happy if it was rebuilt and I could take my family there for cookies and simply enjoy yet again the vibe from that structure. How can you reconcile the crowds, the bolts, the rap anchors, the trails, the litter, yet take offense at a structure that was there before all of those other things?
The Larry

climber
Moab, UT
May 7, 2014 - 03:17pm PT
I'm forgainst it
Flip Flop

Trad climber
Truckee, CA
May 7, 2014 - 07:10pm PT
They could build a Mountain Hut complete with Coffee Shop and Spatzli.
EdBannister

Mountain climber
13,000 feet
May 7, 2014 - 09:09pm PT
Looking forward to the rebuilt lookout, and the nice new hefty fire extinguisher in the corner.

: )

the lookout was a wonderful place to have a friendly discussion with a federal employee...
maybe even bring lettuce, or a steak... helped them like the climbing community...

and it was a wonderful place to bring those who did not climb.

access? yes.

and for those who chop, just think of it as one big nasty bolt! Haha Ha

but if you have never been, and want to complain, how about just go complain at places you already go?
Yafer

Trad climber
Chatsworth, California
May 7, 2014 - 11:43pm PT
I agree/ Don't rebuild that thing..
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
May 8, 2014 - 08:29pm PT
Yafer my friend, I'll bet you that if the "thing" hadn't burned down and you hung out up there burning in your way, you would be saying "man this is so cool..."
rwedgee

Ice climber
canyon country,CA
May 8, 2014 - 09:22pm PT
The great irony is that she is put there to watch for fires but couldn't find one in her own house...really ? The price tag for a new on is going to be in the millions and then pay someone to sit the and sleep all day is a colossal waste of money for something that is useless but "cool". Better off just using it on the road or just sack up and hike in if they close it.
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
May 8, 2014 - 09:39pm PT

F*#k the stairs, they're putting one of these in.

ec Bump!
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
May 8, 2014 - 11:07pm PT
"Fire lookouts are things of the past."...JMO, all the more reason to rebuild and preserve.
Last fall, Timid and i hiked 10 miles to the fire lookout in our area.

Colby Mt. Fire lookout
The Fire lookout dude, manning the lookout for over 25 years.
The view, Mt Brokeoff and Lassen pk.
rincon

climber
Coarsegold
Sep 27, 2015 - 08:34am PT
"Needles Lookout gets funding"
http://www.recorderonline.com/news/needles-lookout-gets-funding/article_27da564a-6075-11e5-8854-cb9f3a37026e.html

Personally I had hoped that they had forgotten about this, but apparently not. It seems like a misappropriation of funds, since a lookout does not do any of the things that "title II RAC projects" are supposed to do.

"The money is from Title II RAC projects to enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health and water quality on the Sequoia National Forest and other nearby lands in Tulare and Kern counties"

$30,000 isn't going to pay for much though. Where's the rest of the money coming from?
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Sep 27, 2015 - 02:41pm PT
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
Sep 27, 2015 - 05:18pm PT
I thought government building were supposed to conform to ADA?
ec

climber
ca
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2017 - 07:28am PT
Any UPDATES out there on the rebuild? 2014 is the last reference I could find: http://www.buckrock.org/Needles2.pdf


 ec
Messages 21 - 40 of total 52 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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