May 11, 2010

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Increasing problem with young men climbing the large basalt headland at the north end of Roads End beach. Two other Coast Watchers have also noticed the problem. They climb up the loose gravelly side to the right of it and continue upward to the top, about 75 ft up. I remind the offenders of how dangerous it is as well as the fact that they are breaking the law but I only get harassed in return (not surprising). On March 26th I noted 3 young men climbing the headland. All were climbing in only their shorts. No shirts, no shoes. One of them had apparently fallen because he passed me on the beach very scraped up, blood dripping from his fingertips. I called 911 that day. Recently contacted Beach Ranger Dave Woody regarding problem. He said, "It appears that the property is privately owned and the issue is a matter of trespassing. The land owner would be the one to post the area for no trespassing. The Lincoln City beaches are lined with very high banks and cliffs that people like to climb and dig into, and even though it is not in my jurisdiction to cite or warn people of the rules concerning this activity I do try to warn them and ask them to come down as a matter of safety and common sense. I have in the past spotted people climbing in the area you mentioned. I usually sit on the beach and watch them in order to call for help when they get stuck or hurt. Luckily for me no one has fallen or got hurt while I was watching. Usually when they see me watching they start climbing down. I make a point of letting them know that it really is not safe to do that and please do not do it in the future." The Roads End headland, including The Point, is federally owned and probably managed by the US Forest Service.