There are always new and exciting things happening around the Chicago Mountaineering Club. From exciting trips reports and other new content being added to the web site to events and outings that are sponsored by the Chicago Mountaineering club, this is the page to checkout what's new. Please check back regularly.

CMC & AAC Annual Dinner
Sat March 6th 6-10 pm
Speaker Stephen Koch
Raffle and Silent Auction
RSVP by Feb 26th

Contact Keith Bielat (cmcprograms@cmcwebsite.org) for more info

Draper's Bluff Closed

As a part of the Southern IL outing the last few years, the club has split their climbing time between Jackson Falls and Draper’s Bluff climbing areas. Jackson Falls is part of the Shawnee National Forest while Draper’s Bluff is privately owned. The southwest face was originally owned by the National Forest before they traded it to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to be part of Ferne Clyffe State Park, who closed the area for climbing. The south face was owned by the Thornton’s till it was put of for sale in 1996. At this time Eric and Kathy Ulner purchased the land. In 1998 they opened Vertical Heartland Climbing School. As part of their terms for the public using their land, everyone must sign-in and out, there is no overnight camping on the property, and donations are greatly appreciated. However over the last few years more rules have been put in place for conduct while on the property. The rules pertained not only to climbing conduct but general recreation conduct as well. Last fall when we were down in Southern IL, a notice was posted that only climbers could use the property. In May the word came of the immediate closure of Draper’s Bluff to the public for any recreational or climbing use. The reason was not misuse of the land but a change in Illinois legislation that allows the Ulner family to be held liable for anything that happens on their property. Now they are faced with the possibility that an injured climber can hold them financially responsible for those injuries or a grieving family can hold them responsible for a death.

Illinois Recreational Use of Land and Water Act

In the 1960’s, the Illinois Recreational Use of Land and Water Act was passed to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational or conservation purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes. In its original form the language was broad based and defined land use as general recreational purposes. The bill survived as originally introduced for over 40 years. This bill enabled hikers, canoeists, kayakers, bird watchers, and rock climbers to use private land for recreational purposes while limiting the liability to the land owner.

For forty years, the act defended Illinois landowners who opened their property to the public for recreational purposes. Since public agencies hold only one percent of all natural areas in the state, the statute permitted public enjoyment of valuable open space that otherwise might be off limits.

In 2005 the law was changed due to a court ruling involving a land owner who INVITED a neighbor onto his land to do some sledding. In the course of this activity someone got hurt and the neighbor sued the landowner. In his defense, the landowner invoked the Illinois Recreational Use of Land and Water Act and the judge ruled that it did not apply due to the land owner INVITING this neighbor onto the property. In response the law was amended to limit the coverage to only landowners who invited individuals onto their property for hunting and recreational shooting. All other forms of recreation were no longer covered. The amendment was brokered without any input from any outdoors or environmental groups.

Up until now, the impact of this ruling on the climbing community was not very great. But as of the last few months, Drapers Bluff has been closed. The owners have cited the fact that problems with this amended statute have not yet been changed as the main reason. Since 2005 various attempts have been made by not for profit Illinois based organizations, such as “Openlands” to negotiate with the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association to agree on legislation which would broaden the wording for recreation purpose as it has been in the past. Many bills have been introduced with little or no success.

The current attempt, House Bill 0494 is now stuck in committee. I talked with the Policy Director of Openlands, Lenore Beyer-Clow, and she stated that up until this point there have not been many land closings due to the changing of this bill, therefore this issue has not gotten much traction. Now, maybe more people will become aware of this issue due to the closing of a very popular private climbing area. Currently the HB0494 is sponsored by State Representative John A. Fritchey. What we are asking that you do is send an e-mail or letter to your local state representative and copy Representative Fritchey.

Here is his contact info:

Springfield Office:
200-7S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-2458
(217) 557-7214 FAX

District Office:
2539 North Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 871-4000
(773) 871-4012 FAX
Cook County

More information regarding your state representative.

The 2009 Chicago Mountaineering Club (CMC) Board of Directors is official. Please visit the Meet the Board page to view the new 2009 CMC Board.

Please be advised: Colorado Custom Hardware (CCH) completed an investigation and extensive testing of their brazed CCH Alien cams and is issuing a recall for any cam bearing the marking described on their website.

The American Alpine Club has accepted a challenge grant from Yvon Chouinard to support the feature length documentary about club member and prolific route opener, Fred Beckey. Every once in a great while an individual lives a life that is so unique and inspiring that their story must be preserved for posterity. The film titled Direct Beckey. Fred spoke at a recent CMC general meeting and is a wonderful person. Please visit this website if you would like to make a donation.

The CMC is honored to accept donations in Memorial of David C. Ireland. (more information). Thank you for your donation!

The Chicago Mountaineering Club is looking for existing members that have a desire to become Rope Leaders. A Rope Leader is responsible for taking out climbing groups during official club outings. If you are interested in becoming a Rope Leader, please contact the Safety Chairman for more information.