SummitPost.org

I heard a rumor that there was talk about this.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/lifesty ... -waterfall

jesu, joy of man's desiring wrote:I don't see how the closure will really affect canyoneers--don't think I recall a single incident among them, and it's a very popular technical canyon.

"Once the Upper trail is closed, officials told Hopper, if hikers try to access the restricted area they could be fined up to $5,000 and sentenced to six months in jail."

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/06/ ... his-summer

I hope you are right, but for some reason I doubt you will be, and I have heard of canyoneers needing rescue up there.

Yes, local canyoneers are organizing and hoping to have fruitful talks with the authorities responsible for the closure. One possibility is a permit system for canyoneers. I anticipate it won't be easy dealing with the forest service bureaucracy though. I've never heard of canyoneer rescues in this canyon, but even if there had been, it's not the canyoneers that are the problem.

Augie Medina wrote: I've never heard of canyoneer rescues in this canyon, but even if there had been, it's not the canyoneers that are the problem.

I agree, but there have been canyoneers requiring rescues.

http://sangabrielmnts.myfreeforum.org/a ... _3797.html

Norco, well now I know there has been at least one rescue of canyoneers there. The poster noted that in the group rescued it was his impression that about half had never rappeled (one person took half an hour to get down a drop). I gotta say, in my view, a recreational canyoneer leader taking people with no rappeling experience down this canyon courts danger and verges on irresponsibility (and no headlamps!).

Yah I thought the same thing, it is definitely not a place for a total noob, but even the most experienced have issues sometimes.
I know you canyoneer alot, and I didn't know if you are involved with any of the groups talking to the forest service. If so I wanted you to have that info.

Thanks Norco. It was a good thread. Yes, I am involved in efforts to talk to the Forest Service about some sort of exemption/permit system for canyoneers. According to this morning's L.A. Times, the closure will be above the first waterfall starting August 1. The writer refers to the situation as one of "carnage in the San Gabriel Mountains gorge...." While I believe that even one death is too much, using the term "carnage" is clearly sensationalism.

Good luck on the talks and thanks for putting in the effort. If you need any help let me know.