Retread Posted April 22, 2003 Posted April 22, 2003 Have you ever climbed the 15 or so routes that are located on Sam Hill and the Underhill at Lower Icicle Canyon near Leavenworth, Washington? If you have been there recently, you may have noticed that these routes are located on private lands that are currently for sale. Sale of this acreage will likely preclude future climbing access. I am prepared to fund half of the purchase of this land, but need additional help to fund the other half. The property totals 40 acres and can be segregated into two 20 acre parcels to allow for ownership by two separate purchasers. The 20 acre parcel that is adjacent to the National Forest, which includes the climbing area, would be acquired by the co-purchaser I am seeking through this posting. The co-purchaser could retain this parcel, or possibly sell it to the Forest Service at some future date. The Forest Service has an interest in acquiring this parcel, but will not likely have funds available for such a purchase for several years. Now the key issue... price. Land around Leavenworth and in the Icicle Valley has become very expensive. Particularly this kind of land-- it is bordered on two sides by National Forest, a third side by U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Icicle Creek is across the road, and it has outstanding views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Although price is yet to be negotiated with the seller, I estimate that, as part of the larger parcel, the 20 acres could be acquired for slightly more than $100,000. I know... a lot of money. Please message me if you are interested in joining in buying this land to protect this premier climbing area. Quote
Charlie Posted April 22, 2003 Posted April 22, 2003 And let me know if you need any help with financing. (seriously) I would do it for free- (as long as I could climb on it). Quote
priapism Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 I seriously doubt 20 acres in the Icicle is going to go for anything close to $100,000; try three or four times that...... Quote
dalius Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 I was there just the other day and the sign said around $225k for the entire 40 acres. Doubt no more. Quote
ryland_moore Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Has anyone talked to the Access Fund about it? The local land trust? What about the owners at the Sleeping Lady Resort? They hold our annual Northwest land trust conference there each year and support land conservation by donating millions of dollars each year. Hariet Bullitt (the Bullitt Foundation) is the owner and has lived in the area since the 1940's. May be worth contacting her. She may be able to buy it and donate it to the National Forest. Call the Methow COnservancy as well and talk to them. Best of luck! Quote
Charlie Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Are there any real estate attorney's out there? What about buying it as a co-op? Where everybody buys a "share". This would be an excellent investment. Might be kinda tough logistically. You could count me in. Buying a share of something that would actually appreciate-imagine that. Quote
Retrosaurus Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Perfect location for a climbers' bunkhouse/hostel. I would love to pay for that before I pay a forest circus campground host. Quote
slaphappy Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Retrosaurus said: Perfect location for a climbers' bunkhouse/hostel. I would love to pay for that before I pay a forest circus campground host. Truest thing you ever said. Quote
chucK Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 slaphappy said: Retrosaurus said: Perfect location for a climbers' bunkhouse/hostel. I would love to pay for that before I pay a forest circus campground host. Truest thing you ever said. Is this a call for privatization of USFS campgrounds? Quote
chelle Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 I like the co-op idea. I saw the for sale sign this weekend and thought how cool that would be as a backyard. Too bad corporate America and I parted ways last year... We've been joking about doing the same with the Index Tavern. We could have two really cool spots to climb and hang. Quote
leithal Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 There's been a ton of good advice about ways to keep this area open-- has anyone followed up on it? Access Fund, Harriot, Chelan Co. land trust, co-op... I think they're all good possibilities, and don't want to see this slide into oblivion. If no one wants to make contacts, I'll put an effort into it--- but it can't happen till I get back into town at the beginning of May. Quote
richard_noggin Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 slaphappy said: Retrosaurus said: Perfect location for a climbers' bunkhouse/hostel. I would love to pay for that before I pay a forest circus campground host. Truest thing you ever said. Retro and slap agreeing WHOA!! I like it I'm still climbing granite at my double secret crag in icicle canyon and you two havn't found me yet Quote
Szyjakowski Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 WE DO NOT NEED A BUNK HOUSE IN THE ICICLE>>>>BAD IDEA>>>>NO NEW BUILDINGS AT ALL>>>>FUK THAT IDEA IN THE THERE are PLENTY of free places to camp....just need to be creative....my friends and i through my highschool days used many of them.... Quote
fern Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Is there a real estate listing for this property somewhere? Maybe a map? Quote
Szyjakowski Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 fern said: Is there a real estate listing for this property somewhere? Maybe a map? PRudential West Reality in Leavenworth across from the forest circus complex... REMEMBER NO NEW BUILDINGS IN THE ICICLE>>>>> Quote
fern Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 http://www.prudentialmikewest.com/mwimages/L2676.htm what's a 1031 tax exchange? I will build many buildings and I will not let you gapers climb on MY crags Quote
Winter Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 I thought it was something like you don't pay capital gains tax on your property sale, because the money back into another property or somtin like that. Quote
slaphappy Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 richard_noggin said: slaphappy said: Retrosaurus said: Perfect location for a climbers' bunkhouse/hostel. I would love to pay for that before I pay a forest circus campground host. Truest thing you ever said. Retro and slap agreeing WHOA!! I like it I'm still climbing granite at my double secret crag in icicle canyon and you two havn't found me yet Don't get your panties all moist there, dickhead, you won't catch us agreeing on much, rest assured. and what makes you think I haven't already been to/know about your "double secret" crag? Suzy-blahblahpolishsound- For the most part I agree that the Icicle doesn't need more buildings. However, it would be nice to have a cheaper climber/boater/mt.biker venue that offered primitive camp sites and a small bunkhouse with showers, that was privately owned and run. The property doesn't lend itself to any huge structures, if it did, it would have been snatched up long ago. You are right, there are seemingly endless ideal spots that can be camped at for free (I have utilized many), but do you really think that is such a great idea? How many spots like the recently improved one at Mad Meadows (four huge benches, LARGE fire pit, stacks of firewood, tarps) do you think it will take before we aren't allowed to camp for free at all? It wasn't that long ago that it was "ok" to camp anywhere you wanted to up the Icicle. I know your from there and I understand your desire for no more new buildings but not all of us can live there and make ends meet so we have to rely on different means. The current established camping sucks. Quote
erik Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 i am going to remove that mad meadows deal this weekend. fucking bullshit. tarps...stacked firewood?! benches.. bullshit... fucking boulderers. Quote
Szyjakowski Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 erik said: fucking boulderers. FUcking Tribe is more like it... SLAPyourmonkeytillitsHAPPY- Please remember that it is not "OK" to camp whereever but, they have to "catch" you.... How much is the KOA campground? Bunkhouse with showers....come on....the icicle isn't the Valley and never will or should be.... Perhaps if you befriended some locals they may let you camp on their property...but, don't ask me as I camp in my parents garage. the truth is, "if you build it THEY will come..." and then the icicle won't be the prestine and vacant place it is.... Sheesh! Quote
klar404 Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 I've crahed at the turnaround at the "forest land" boulders many times.Three times this year. It's over now, the enforcment is there. I go elsewhere. I WAS VERY BUMMED to see people having camp fires there a couple of weeks ago. It was like a beacon to the man saying FUXOR ME! Bury your shit, be polite if busted and move on to higher ground when the snow melts. Quote
Crackbolter Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 (edited) Szay-toomuch-jackoffski, If you will, there are a few folks in Leavenworth who have been all too kind to open thier home to a few climbers but the term "wear out your welcome" is what comes to mind when I think about where to stay in Leavenworth every weekend. I really appreciate those who have let us park in their driveways or eat dinner with the family or better yet, let us sleep on the couch when it is puking snow outside. For the Leavenworth clan, for you...Thanks. You could poach the climbers parking lot but give it another year and they will be cracking down on it. You could also pull off at Mad Meadows or pull off somewhere up Mountain View Road but eventually the homes will be built around the bouldering area and climbing bums will be overrun by newlyweds. You are also correct that the Icicle is not the Valley, better yet it is the Canyon. Eventually it will need a nice place like Branbury Greens or Smith Rock SP for girls who like to shower after climbing and guys who need to shower after being in the mountains for a week. I think someone should buy the property and hire me to caretake the place. I would love to settle down in Leavenworth some day and if I can't do it now, I will settle for later. Having a place to provide campsites next to a few select climbing spots seems inviting. I think a developed private campground hosted by CLIMBERS would be the best thing that ever happened to the Icicle. They coiuld even charge a few dollars less than 8-mile CG and put them out of business. That place is overrated and hosted by the Parks and we all know how everyone feels about The Park Circus. my 2 cents. Edited April 24, 2003 by Crackbolter Quote
slaphappy Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 Szyjlnvbknstyurbski- I utilize a number of locals oh-so-often, but they do have families and I am a dirtball. Quote
Szyjakowski Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 slaphappy said: Szyjlnvbknstyurbski- I utilize a number of locals oh-so-often, but they do have families and I am a dirtball. Is a dirtball like a dirtbag or is that like Beckey? Quote
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