Acker Rock_SW Oregon

[g orton]

I'm trying to get out the word that we are helping to organizing a rappel day to inventory a rare buckwheat that has only been found on Acker Rock. Anyone with a drill to place bolts on rappel with in encouraged to join us on July 16 and 17 or the following weekend depending on when the Peregrine closure is lifted this year. Rappels will range from 300 to 600 feet. You will see some great views of a lot of yet unclimbed rock.

If interested, please contact me at gorton@q.com

[Kletterhund]

Greg -

 

I may be in that area in a few weeks - I have some trips planned near there at least.

 

I have a drill and spare bolts and some L O N G cords.

 

Keep me in mind if you still need the help!

 

Jamie Peterson (David Peterson's nephew...)

[g orton]

Jamie,

We're deffinitely interested in your help.

I'll ask Dave for your number and give you a call.

greg

[g orton]

The Peregrine on Acker are fledging later than expected this year. Therefore we are rescheduling the rappel monitoring to the first weekend in September.

Sorry for any inconveniences.

greg

[g orton]

The closure at Acker has been lifted.

[g orton]

An update on the Acker Rock Monitoring this September 3 and 4.

 

Friday, Sept 2: Camp at Ash Flat Campground or an alternative campsite if Ash Flat is not available.

 

Plan: who ever gets to Ash Flat will pay for and reserve 2 campsites in the campground. Directions: Drive to Tiller Ranger Station. From the Tiller Ranger Station cross the South Umpqua bridge and turn right onto Road-49. Stay on road 49 heading north along the South Umpqua for about 18 miles. Ash Flat campground will be on your right next to the river.

 

If no sites are available the next option will be a remote campsite on Buckeye Creek. Drive about a mile upriver from Ash Flat campground, before reaching the South Umpqua Falls swimming hole to Road-29 (Buckeye Creek Road). Turn right from road-49 onto road-29 and follow road-29 for 0.6 miles to the first bridge crossing buckeye creek. Just before crossing the bridge you will see a side road blocked by boulders on your left that access two remote campsites next to the river.

 

If this site is taken the next option will be a dry camp on the 800-spur (there is no road number sign). To locate the 800-spur continue up Road-29 (paved) to Road-2839 (there will be a sign directing you up the 2839 to Acker Rock Lookout). Once you've located the 2839 turn around and head down Road-29. The first road you will come to from the junction of Road-29 and 2839 will be the 800-spur (right side). Follow the 800-spur until Acker Rock comes into view where you will find some camping areas to the right under the trees.

 

We'll plan on placing a sign at the turn off where camp is finally set up. If you are coming from I-5 your last cell phone reception will be from the town of Days Creek.

 

Saturday, Sept 3: Drive to the trailhead and hike into the Acker Rock Lookout. From there we will make a short climb (5.6) to the end of the Peregrine Traverse, rappel down the chimney, scramble up to the false summit where the register is located, and then rappel and downclimb to predesignated rappel points along the south ridge. We will then make 60m rappels down the southwesterly side of the ridge counting the buckwheat and the distances down then placing the next rappel anchors and repeating until we reach the main walkway were we will regroup and walkout. My hope is that we will be able to make several rappels down both the Southwest and Southeast sides of the ridge.

 

Equipment to bring:

Drills,

12mm bits (I have 5 extras if anyone needs to borrow one),

accenders,

Motorola walkie talk(s)

 

I'd like us to rappel in teams of two so please bring a partner if you can. Let me know if you still need a partner.

 

We can also use more climbers without drills to help out as well, so please pass this along.

 

Thanks,

greg

 

Edited August 26, 2011 by g orton

[g orton]

For anyone coming to Acker this weekend to help with the monitoring. We've reserved the Lookout for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There are flat places to pitch a tent at the trail head and on top near the lookout. The Forest Service has asked us to maintain a locked gate so walk the trail or find the channel we are monitoring on the Motorola walkie talkie and we'll make sure you get in. Bring water.

greg

Edited September 1, 2011 by g orton

[g orton]

Thanks you to Willie, Zack, and Adam who came up from SOU in Ashland and Bobbie and Harold who came down from Roseburg to help us with our dsitribution monitoring of the rare Acker Rock buckwheat. Also, thank you to WIllie and Zack for bailing Harold and I off one or our rappels when our topes became stuck. Three nights in the lookout, swimming at the South Umpqua Falls, and two days on the rock exploring new walls was awesome. Let's plan on doing it again! Thanks to the Forest Service and The Access Fund for their support to the effort. greg

The Rare Acker Rock Buckwheat (Eriogonum villosissimum)

is the grey plant pictured below.

Edited September 12, 2011 by g orton

[billcoe]

Uhhh, not to argue with anyone, but I'm fairly sure I've seen that stuff in other places Greg. What makes it rare? Did someone find one in a spot and haven't looked around: thus - it's rare.

 

Oh, picture below of the rare Clarks Nutcracker. Saw a shitload of these rare birds Saturday. Hadn't seen any for a while, thus, they must be rare.

 

 

 

[g orton]

Bill,

I was hoping you would make it down.

We could have used another drill on the rock.

I had a chilled bottle of Bobbie's homemade Ripple waiting in the Lookout to share with you.

 

greg

[corvallisclimb]

Sorry I missed free reign in placing USFS bolts! Next time! See ya soon Greg!

[g orton]

Great!!!

 

So that's Tyler, Bill, Justin Pattison, Gordy, Jim Hammerly, Jamie, Harold, and myself. With 8 drills working we can really cover the rock! Anyone else??

 

How's, October 10 or 22? Send me an email.

[billcoe]

Bill,

I was hoping you would make it down.

We could have used another drill on the rock.

I had a chilled bottle of Bobbie's homemade Ripple waiting in the Lookout to share with you.

 

greg

 

Man, that's mouthwatering enticing Greg, thanks for the offer. I'd love to hang with you folks but my dance card is full till the rains come. Keep up the good work, be safe and have fun!