There’s no question that there’s some real rivalry between those of us who live in South Lake Tahoe and those who live in North Lake Tahoe. We climbers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts are protective and prideful about our local crags, boulders, mountains and beaches. “Which side is better?” is a question that routinely gets volleyed around at BBQs and bars around the entire Lake.
And of course, everyone knows that it’s South Lake Tahoe that’s best. Or maybe that’s just what I hear because I live there …
Anyway, as a rock climber, I must say, if there is one major plus that North Lake Tahoe has going for it, it’s the trad and sport climbing up on Donner Summit. The road that winds its way up this pass crosses some of the best granite cragging in the region, drawing folks from all over the greater Tahoe basin, and all the way down to the Central Valley, Sacramento and even the Bay Area.
And there’s a good reason why so many people come here. The climbing is sick!
We have a really unique opportunity right now to purchase the land on which several of the climbing areas sit, placing them in the hands of the climbing community and ensuring responsible management and responsible users for years to come.
The Access Fund has partnered with the with the Truckee Donner Land Trust to protect the world-class climbing on Donner Summit. The Access Fund has reached an agreement with the landowner to acquire the popular and historic Black Wall, Peanut Gallery, and Road Cut climbing areas, as well as the access trail to the popular Space and Stealth Walls. To do this, we need to raise $280,000 by December 1st to make the acquisition, stewardship, and trailhead improvements happen.
I just made my pledge and for any climbers who have visited or visit this area, I encourage you to chip in a few bucks and help save Donner. After all, if Donner Summit closed to climbing, that would be a huge blow for the North Lake community, and then there really wouldn’t be a rivalry between North Lake and South Lake any longer … And what fun would that be?
Check out all the details here: www.savedonnerclimbing.org
