Poaching Cielo Vista Peaks

[angry]

Last week I had a long conversation with Carlos about people poaching peaks on ranch property. On 6/25 (the day before I arrived to hike the southern peaks), he'd caught an individual on the northern peaks. This person was spotted by a camera. They then used a drone to pinpoint his exact location and rode an atv to intercept him coming off the ridge. The police came out and citations were issued for two different courts based on crossing of boundaries. It would've been cheaper to just pay the ranch climbing fee. Carlos was also aware that someone on this site named Matt Lemke had trespassed earlier that week via ODS.

He went on to tell me several stories of how they've caught individuals. Some were even found camping. He told me about the elimination of weekday climbs due to people breaking ranch rules. With the continued poaching of peaks, they've also considered shutting down climbing altogether because of the constant waste of their time chasing people down. There was also talk of increasing fees.

I understand that some people don't want to pay to hike, and that's cool. Don't pay, but don't trespass. I have intentions of going back for the northern peaks and would like to see continued access for those of us that will legally arrange to do so.

[davebobk47]

I understand poaching when access is completely blocked but if there is a legal means to climb a peak that is the route that should be taken - otherwise don't climb the peak. Poaching these peaks jeopardizes access for all.

@angry - if you're looking for people for northern peaks I'd be interested in joining.

[SurfNTurf]

Whether you agree with them or not, the rules exist and are enforceable. Cielo Vista owns that land, and in America, that means they can control access. I'm sure this thread will devolve into a private property versus public lands debate (my bet is Page 2 for the first person to call another poster a communist), but that's kind of missing the point. It doesn't matter. Right now, it's private property, and if the land owner ever decides allowing hikers isn't worth it, they're entirely within their rights to shut it down. Don't be the a**hole.

[two lunches]

this is why we can't have nice things

[Jon Frohlich]

Kind of curious how they knew about Lemke. It does appear he posted all about it on Facebook publicly so I wonder if they periodically search for it or if someone that saw it told them. Spectacularly dumb thing to do regardless.

[rijaca]

Lemke posted a conditions report here after ODS but it was taken down.

[Jon Frohlich]

Lemke posted a conditions report here after ODS but it was taken down.

Still all over his FB page and his personal website.

[cottonmountaineering]

Lemke posted a conditions report here after ODS but it was taken down.

I remember that, how stupid is it to admit to trespassing on a public site hahaha

[Somewhat of a Prick]

This thread got me curious. I'm not friends on facebook with this guy, but in 3 seconds this is what is available with a public search






Good advice, if you knowingly break the law you shouldn't spray about it all over the internet

[CaptainSuburbia]

I agree poaching these peaks is dumb and posting on FB afted poaching is even dumber. I had a great experience on the Ranch and look forward to going back. I don't understand though how they think ending paid climbing and mid week climbing would equal less poaching?? Wouldn't making the peaks more accessible make more sense?

[timstich]

I never intend to hike that stupid peak and laugh at the extent that billionaire boofer has gone to in order to issue trespassing citations. Ha ha ha. What a moron. Go frack some more oil, cowboy.

It appears the ranch land has some very interesting constraints on its use, anyway. It seems there are historic land use rights attached. I guess it's not so private property after all according to the Colorado Supreme Court!

https://coloradosun.com/2018/09/05/ciel ... LSydikoFTk

[FireOnTheMountain]

lol