Deanne Buck, Programs Director
The Access Fund
Boulder, CO 80302
September 15, 2006
Deanne,
As a 12 year member of the Access Fund and occasional rock and ice climber I would like to request that our organization provide all possible support to the purchase for public use of the Owls Head Cliff property in Benton, NH. This unique 384 acre property is presently for sale. It is almost entirely surrounded by the nearly 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest.
This unique and scenic property includes a large cliff and long ledge outcropping that is of interest to climbers. In the past a previous owner would not allow climbing. Thus the area has seen little climbing activity and is relatively unknown. It is now ripe for exploration and route finding by climbers.
This portion of New Hampshire is on the eastern edge of an area that is seeing significant development pressure. The present stabilizing of real-estate prices in the region has not cooled the market in the Hanover - Haverhill area. Prices continue to escalate and developers are looking for suitable property to sub divide and develop. Land bordering the National Forrest is considered premium property. This property has frontage on a major state highway, is surrounded by National Forrest and includes a large area of flat and gently sloping land that would be easy to develop. About 3,000 feet of the Oliverian Brook traverses this flat area and adds to its desirability for development. A large quantity of gravel and loose rock could easily be removed from the property. The Town of Benton has minimal zoning restrictions. Among other issues is the concern that a new private owner may not allow climbing.
Other points of interest that may relate to Access Fund support for the project include the following:
The tremendous success of the Access Fund project to convert the near by Rumney climbing area from private property to a world class publicly owned climbing destination.
This large size of Owls Head Cliff, about 500 feet high and about one half mile from side to side, lesser ledge outcroppings for over one mile.
Only a 20 minute drive from the Rumney climbing area.
Only a 45 minute drive from Hanover and the Dartmouth Outing Club.
Four season climbing use, including winter rock climbing and ice climbing.
Southern exposure allowing excellent spring and fall climbing conditions.
Some routes protected from sun and wind.
Easy access from a major state highway that borders the property.
The property already has an easy to find access road, ample parking, woods roads and trails to the base and top of the cliff.
Other existing and frequently used trails on public property lead to the top of the cliff and its beautiful views.
The Appalachian Trail passes only a few hundred feet from the property, and about 2500 feet from the cliff.
Almost all of the land on all four sides is already part of the National Forest (including across the state highway).
Due to previous ownership issues the property has seen minimal climbing activity. Owls Head will undoubtedly be the site of many new routes.
For these many reasons I encourage the Access Fund to provide all possible support to the grant request being presented by The Trust For Public Land. This organization deserves our support in its present effort to remove the Owls Head Cliff property from the market and facilitate its purchase by the White Mountain National Forrest. This property has the potential to become an equally important sister site to Rumney.
Yours truly,
Tom Richardson, AF member
Tom Richardson
Durham, NH