This excellent location is unique among climbing areas for several reasons: because of its south-facing, yet sheltered position, it serves rock climbers year-round, something not found at other local climbing crags. 

 

October 23, 1997 
 
 
 
 

Commissioner Bill Kennemer 
Clackamas County Board of Commissioners 906 Main Street 
Oregon City, OR 97045 

Dear Commissioner: 

We wish to alert you of an issue of extreme importance to the rock climbing community.  For years the old Hardscrabble Rock Quarry 2.2 miles east of Carver on Highway 224, known among climbers as Madrone Wall, has served as a year-round climbing location for the local Portland area.  This excellent location is unique among climbing areas for several reasons: because of its south-facing, yet sheltered position, it serves rock climbers year-round, something not found at other local climbing crags.  Also, it has a large number of beginning and intermediate level climbs, making it a popular and safe place to learn the basics of climbing.  In addition, the routes are easily accessible, which facilitates both safe and recreational climbing.  Finally, it is conveniently located near the Portland metro area. 

All of these factors contribute to make Madrone Wall a highly valued-and highly visited-climbing crag.  On a warm weekend day it is typical that upwards of 50 climbers will visit Madrone's walls, with perhaps as many as 200 climbers visiting during a normal summer week.  This high volume of visitation and use indicates Madrone's importance to the climbing community. 

We here at SportsNation are committed to maintaining and improving our local crags.  For instance, on July 6 th, 1997, a group of volunteers from SportsNation cleaned up the access to Madrone Wall, which apparently had been mistaken as a dumping ground.  Our efforts removed three truckloads of trash and provided a much-needed clean-up and removal of unsightly and potentially deadly trash.  In the future, we plan to continue volunteering our time and effort towards preserving our natural climbing resources. 

It was therefore very disconcerting for us when we learned that Madrone may be re-activated as a quarry to serve Clackamas county's gravel needs.  This is entirely possible given Madrone's current zoning status, which is that of forest. 

We are asking you insure Madrone's future as a local climber's paradise by taking the necessary action to change the status of its zoning to that of protected park or primitive park.  Doing so would preserve Madrone's unique and important place among the local climbing crags which many Oregonians now thoroughly enjoy. 

We are very interested in help making this possible.  Please feel free to contact us with whatever questions or concerns you have.  Included is a business card of our Rock Gym Director, Ty Milford.  Thank you very much for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!