[Bonjoy]

No I did not cut down the tree at the start of Indecent Exposure! (Have had two queries already asking if I was responsible)

To me it seems a bad thing to do. One reason being that the tree was a mature Ash Tree i.e. attractive and of wildlife value. Secondly because the tree was the start of several routes. And three because these routes seep at the start and climbing the tree allowed the wet section to be bypassed.

[Serpico]

That's gonna be a real pain, anybody care to own up and justify it?

[north_country_boy]

argh....that sounds bizarre?! Why would anyone prefer climbing up that slimey groove instead of the tree?

[Kingy]

Thats a shocker! Thats Body Machine taken out for 10 months of the year until somebody diverts the drainage in the field above the crag. Bummer. I heard it was no change in grade for the moves from the ground but it may well bump BM up to 7c+ and Indecent to 7c, who knows??

[Paz]

I find it hilarious that you have to post online to clear your name!

Maybe someone needed the firewood - there's not been any sooty stains under Ben's roof have there?

[Drew]

there's not been any sooty stains under Ben's roof have there?

What are you trying to say about the poor fella?

[El Mocho]

That tree was my favorite climbing at Raven Tor. For me any route which starts in a tree should get an extra star (that is why all these routes get 1 star?). I vote for installing a rope ladder.

[Johnny Brown]

Whoever did this is a retard.

[Percy B]

Its a damn shame. That tree has had more ascents than any other route at the tor, and was nicely polished to prove it! Although I like rock climbing, and was always a bit distressed at the thought of starting a climb by shinning up a tree, as a means of access to a number of very good routes that tree was essential and now it gone will make BM and Indecent far more unpleasant to start.

[dave]

.....The problem with this is the fact that anyone who visits the crag can see they've been chopped down is publicity enough for other people to then take it upon themselves to cut other trees down that they consider fair game.....

of course it could have just been local skutters (as has happened before there).

[belperpete]

Anybody that could cut down the Indecent tree would shoot a fox... Raven Tor, literally, won't be the same - bummer!
On a lighter note, have you seen the google ads, at the bottom of the page? As I type this, there is a preponderance of tree mulching, landscaping and tree surgeon services on offer!
Am I the only one that senses a conspiracy theory?

[Bubba]

You're right, google did it.

[bigphil]

I was waiting until I felt strong and then that tree was gonna be my first Tor ascent.  Bummer.

On a serious note though, whoever did it your a Tool.

[Bonjoy]

 Apparently someone has been suggesting that I must have cut the tree down based on the logic that I cut down the immature sycamore tree under Kudos wall and that I then subsequently removed a UKB thread about it to cover my tracks.
 As some of you might remember the reason that thread got removed was on Grimer's suggestion. He thought the thread and any subsequent brouhaha it may have triggered on UKC might be seen by someone connected to the landowner and that there was potential for this causing access problems. This was several days after the thread first appeared and the whole issue had had a good airing amongst many UKB users. I was more than happy to leave the thread up and argue the point as I think chopping down a small Sycamore tree that gets in the way of a good route, is a good thing to do, before it becomes a large Sycamore tree that gets in the way of a good route. However preserving access seemed more important than justifying my position. I'm pretty sure it was actually one of the other moderators who deleted the topic anyway.
 Just in case anyone is in any doubt. Yes I cut down a tree at Rubicon and it is not something i wish to hide from the world. Well considered active management of crags is a subject i'm always happy to argue the point on. This does NOT mean I am from that point onward the person responsible for every tree/branch felled in the Peak District, especially not this particularly brainless action!

[Bonjoy]

 People, especially the person/s suggesting I tried to brush the Rubicon thread under the carpet might care to recollect that as soon as I saw the thread which Dave started I posted up straight away taking responsibility for the action and stating my reasons why. Nobody knew I'd done anything and I could have totally ignored the thread if I wanted to keep my doings a secret. Hardly the actions of someone wanting to bury the subject.

[Serpico]

Just seen your UKC post, I think you should delete it. It's obvious you're unhappy that you're being fingered for this felling, but (I think) everyone on here accepts your word that you weren't involved. Over on UKC I think you're just going to attract a lot of unwanted attention from the great ill-informed.

[account_inactive]

I had a conversation with Simon Lee at the Tor on Saturday about the felling at Rubicon.  I didn't even know that one had been removed from the Tor!  Hope he didn't think that I meant the Tor one...........

I think it was a good idea to blitz the last thread too btw

[Bonjoy]

Just seen your UKC post, I think you should delete it. It's obvious you're unhappy that you're being fingered for this felling, but (I think) everyone on here accepts your word that you weren't involved. Over on UKC I think you're just going to attract a lot of unwanted attention from the great ill-informed.

I have deleted now.
If I come across as rather defensive about this it's because I've just come back from Chee Dale where all and sundry kept asking me if/why I chopped the tree down under Body Machine.

 Dylan - Simon Lee emailled me asking me about the tor tree. I guess he did get the wrong end of the stick.

[Jim]

can I have my stihl back now please Jon.....




sorry

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

can I have my stihl back now please Jon.....

Jim, Jon doesn't have your Stihl....

[GCW]

Jon,
Unfortunately this may well be one of those incidents where noone owns up and you may be left as a scapegoat on toss sites like UKC.
For what it's worth, I have no doubt in my mind that you're innocent.

[shark]

Jon- Sorry you got so wound up but at least the rumour got 'nipped in the bud' !. It seems I got crossed wires with Dylan - he hadnt noticed the absence of the Indecent tree!! and I knew nothing of this Rubicon tree so its not surprising there was a misunderstanding - and I am very old and get easily confused.

All- The reason I emailed Jon was because I know how chinese whispers work and because I thought it was highly unlikely that a climber did this, let alone Jonboy - I was asking not accusing him just asking.   

Best, Simon

ps Liked your 'wrong end of the stick' pun - only just picked up on it. 

[Jaspersharpe]

Surely the likelehood is that this was not the action of climbers. Why the fuck would a climber do this? It doesn't make any sense.

[Bonjoy]

 I know you were only asking Simon. I appreciated the straight forward question. Had you not asked me I wouldn't have been aware of a potential misunderstanding which might have led to a less easily nipped bud. I was wound up yesterday, I'm sanguin today.

[account_inactive]

Specsavers gave me a ring today to up my prescription