Rock climbers from around the world have signed a letter voicing their concern over the proposed cable car on Mt Wellington. The letter, addressed to the Premier, Minister Groom, Bryan Green, Kim Booth, Mayor Thomas and Dr Christine Mucha, has been signed by 20 world-famous climbers.
The signatories include Andrew Lock, the first Australian to climb all 8,000 metre peaks; Tim Macartney-Snape and Brigitte Muir, the first Australian man and woman to climb Everest; Lynn Hill and Louise Shepherd, pioneering women climbers; Sir Chris Bonington, one of Britain’s most famous mountaineers; and Dr Simon Parsons, one of the strongest, most experienced climbers to come out of Tasmania, now based in Canada.
The letter states: “There are very few places in the world where there is a climbing venue of this quality, on an imposing mountain with an amazing sub-alpine ecosystem, easily accessible by road and serviced by all the amenities of a major city. Cable cars are far from unique and in our experience can and do have a marked negative impact on the wild environment, as we have seen happen in so many other locations.”
Local climbers Tony McKenny, Doug Bruce and Stu Scott worked with ROCC (Residents Opposed to the Cable Car) to contact climbers and explain the threat from the proposed development.
“We were stunned by the support we’ve received from such an extraordinary group of climbers,” said Stu Scott, a Hobart resident and himself an experienced climber. “Many of them have climbed on The Organ Pipes and are passionate about its protection.”
“Tasmanians may not realise that The Organ Pipes is a top-class climbing venue and on the “to-do” list for climbers from around the world. Importantly, climbing is now the reason for a significant number of visitors to the state and The Organ Pipes is one of the best climbing venues attracting climbers from around the world.”
Tim Macartney-Snape OAM, the first Australian to climb Mt Everest, said, “A cable car would completely change the character of the mountain, not just for climbers but for all tourists. It would send a message to the world that the famous ’Tasmanian Wilderness’ is really just a marketing slogan with no actual basis in reality.”
Louise Shepherd, a leading Australian climbing guide and author said, “A cable car will do a grave disservice to the many visitors who enjoy and relish the mountain as it is.”
Henry Barber, an American climbing legend who climbed on the Organ Pipes in 1975, said, “Mt Wellington is a precious place as there are very few areas in the world where you can climb right near a major city. In the 35 countries I have climbed, there are crags close to the cities only in Britain, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and a couple of others.”
“Tasmanians are not alone in enjoying Mt Wellington,” said Mr Scott. ”We hope the Premier, Minister Groom and Mayor Thomas will read the letter closely and consider the issues raised by these remarkable climbers when the decision time comes for developments such as the cable car.”
The letter has also been endorsed by a total of 127 experienced climbers from Tasmania, the Mainland and other parts of the globe.
For climbers biographies and full list of signatories, go to http://rocchobart.com/
Stu Scott
