Chris Moratz new Regional Coordinator for the Shawangunks
Chris Moratz new Regional Coordinator
for the Shawangunks
What is a Regional Coordinator?
From the Access Fund Web site:
The Access Fund's Action Network, comprised of volunteer Regional Coordinators, is the
cornerstone of our support for grassroots climber activism, and is one of our primary
resources utilized in keeping climbing areas open. As trained experts in access-related
issues, Regional Coordinators are the Access Fund's principal liaisons to local areas
and represent climbers' interests on both public and private lands. In addition,
Regional Coordinators can provide expertise on a wealth of related subjects, from
organizing conservation or trail-building projects to the acquisition of a threatened
climbing area. The dedicated volunteers who serve as Regional Coordinators are committed
to providing climbers with solutions that will preserve America's diverse climbing
resources for future generations. When access issues arise in your area, please
contact your regional coordinator.
Who is your Regional Coordinator?
Recently Chris Moratz, who has been involved with the GCC since its inception, was
designated Regional Coordinator for the Gunks and Catskills. Here is some
information about him:
William Christopher "Chris" Moratz born in Pasadena, California in 1961 grew up with
many moves and changes all around the US and Europe. Chris started rock climbing in 1980,
discovering the Shawangunks from his home base of Ithaca, NY at the time. After a traditional
"old school" apprenticeship of a few years, he was a regular at the cliffs. Over the years
Chris kept a fairly low profile and climbed with only a few regular partners, with his Gunks
climbing career interrupted first in 1986 when a foreign assignment took him to live in
Germany for an extended period of over two years -fortunately right "next door" to the
Frankenjura- then returning in 1989 when his life took another turn with marriage and
life in Western NY followed by the Boston area. After a divorce in 1994, he decided to
settle permanently in his beloved Shawangunks, after all, this sense of place has never
been equaled for Chris in any other region in which he has lived. In 1995, his long
standing dream came true when he purchased a house on Sandhill Road in the Town of
Shawangunk with a beautiful view of Skytop. His corporate engineering job again took
him away to Germany from 2001 to 2002 but since then he has enjoyed the local mountains
more than ever. Favorite climbing area outside the Gunks? Red River Gorge in Kentucky,
since his sister Karen (a professional flautist) resides in Indianapolis not far away
and the family was at home in southern Indiana for a few years growing up.
In addition to rock climbing, Chris also boulders frequently at a moderate level. His
favorite cliff is Millbrook, which admittedly both terrifies and fascinates like no other
climbing area. "It reminds me of a remote mountain fastness or citadel, shrouded in mystery,
with unique, unparalled imposing beauty and wildness, a place where the climbing gods dwell."
Chris along with the GCC, Access Fund and other organizations is currently working on a
access project there.
Since this is one of the greatest climbing areas anywhere and a great community, Chris feels
lucky to serve and "give back" to a place that has given him so much.
When not climbing rock, ice or bouldering, Chris is an avid road cyclist in the summer and
a cross country skier (member of the ski patrol at Minnewaska State Park) in the winter.
First and foremost an artist and creative person, he also maintains a small art pottery
studio out of his house on Sandhill Road. His profession in mechanical engineering has
turned into a 15 year career with the same company and a staff-level position.
How was the Regional Coordinator selected?
When the GCC was formed in 2002, a Steering Committee was meeting regularly to hash out the
structure and mission of the group. This has been a fluid group as with most small, all
volunteer organizations. From the beginning, Chris was active in the Steering Committee
during the formative period but Lizz Bartlett opted to take the Regional Coordinator
position. During the last winter, Lizz resigned her position as RC due to time and
personal constraints. Since that time, the GCC have been looking for a new RC with
Chris as interim RC. After some conversations recently between Dave Rosenstein and
Shawn Tierney of the Access Fund, Chris was encouraged to apply as full time RC.
Thanks to all the other formerly and currently active members of the GCC Steering Committee
(look for more info on these personalities to come...)
The GCC welcome involvement from all members and non-members in the climbing
community at large. If you have questions about the GCC, getting involved
or any climbing access related question call 845-895-8978.
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