Recreational uses of cliff resources in the New River Gorge National River (NERI)

OMB Control Number 1024-0224
Expiration Date: 6/31/2011

[Hiking Survey]

New River Gorge National River

A survey of visitors:
Your opinion matters!
Conducted by:
Dr. Dave Smaldone
Recreation, Parks & Tourism Program
Division of Forestry & Natural Resources
West Virginia University
In cooperation with the New River Gorge National River
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Survey Directions:
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. The results of this study will
help resource managers better understand visitors like you, as well as develop education and
interpretive programs for park visitors. This survey is only being given to a select number of
visitors, so your participation is very important. Your participation is voluntary, and your
responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. This survey should take about 15
minutes of your time. Please read the instructions for each question and answer to the best
of your ability.
First, we would like to find out a little about your current visit to the New River Gorge
National River.
Topic Area 1 – Trip/Visit Characteristics (Questions 1-2)
1. Is this your first trip to the New River Gorge (NRG)?

† Yes

(please check one)

† No

2. How long is your current trip to the NRG? (please check one, and write in number)

† Less than one day. Æ If so, how many hours? _____________
† More than a day. Æ If so, how many days? ______________
Topic Area 3 – Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources
3. What activities are you doing today while on the trail? (check all that apply)
† hiking/walking
† rock climbing
† bird watching
† photography
† viewing wildlife (other than birds)
† viewing the scenery
† visiting historic sites
† picnicking
† other: _________________
ÆNow, from the activities that you checked above, please write in the one that was
most important to you: ______________________
Topic Area 5 – Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences (4 and 5)
4. How did the number of people you saw during your visit compare with what you expected?

†  A lot less than what you expected
†  A little less than what you expected
†  About what you expected
† A little more that what you expected
†  A lot more than what you expected
† You did not have any expectations
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5. How crowded did you feel on your visit to the New River Gorge today? (circle one number)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
______________________________________________________________________________________
Not crowded at all

Slightly Crowded

Moderately Crowded

Extremely Crowded

Topic Area 6 – Individual Evaluation of Park Services (6 and 7)
6. How important to you are the following features at NRG hiking areas? (please circle one
response for each question)
Not important

Restrooms at trailheads……………………1
Parking Areas………………...……………1
Signage at Trail Access Points ……….. ….1
Trail Quality……………………………… 1
Visitor Center……………………………...1
Ranger presence on trails ………………….1
Suitable campsites in park ………………..1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Very Important

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7
7
7
7

7. How would you rate your satisfaction with the quality of these features at NRG hiking
areas? (circle one response for each question)
Very
Dissatisfied

Restrooms at trailheads…………………….1
Parking Areas………………...…………… 1
Signage at Trail Access Points……………..1
Trail Quality………………………………..1
Visitor Center………………………………1
Ranger presence on trails … ………………1
Suitable campsites in park ………………..1

Neutral

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4

Very
Satisfied

5
5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7
7
7
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Now, we’d like you to tell us about your background: (circle or fill in as appropriate):
Topic Area 1 – Individual Characteristics (Questions 8-13)
8. How many years have you been hiking? (please write in number) _______
9. How many years have you been hiking at the New River Gorge? (write in number) _____
10. When was your first visit to New River Gorge? (write in the month and year)
Month: _________________ Year: ________ † Don’t know/can’t remember
11. Approximately how many times a year do you participate in hiking? (check one )
† <10 days/year
† 31-40 days/year
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† 11-20 days/year
† 21-30 days/year

† 41-50 days/year
† >50 days/year

12. Approximately how many times a year do you participate in hiking at the New River
Gorge? (check one )
† <10 days/year
† 31-40 days/year
† 11-20 days/year
† 41-50 days/year
† 21-30 days/year
† >50 days/year
13. What category best describes your overall ability as a hiker? (check one )

† Novice

† Intermediate

† Advanced

† Expert

Topic Area 2 – Trip Planning (14 and 15)
14. From your home, how many hours did you travel to reach the New River Gorge? (please check
one box)
† Less than 1 † 1 to 2
† 3 to 4
† 5 to 6 † 7 to 8 † more than 8
15. What would you be most interested in learning about, in regards to the cliffs and their
ecosystems at the NRG? (please write in your answer)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Topic Area 6 – Preferences, Motives and Attitudes - variation (Questions 16-20)
The following questions deal with the cliffs at the NRG and your opinion of their
importance. Please place a check under the column that best describes how strongly you
agree or disagree with each of the following statements. (check one box for each question)

16.

Strongly
Disagree

a. The cliffs in the NRG are the same

as cliffs anywhere else.
b. Cliffs are a fundamental resource to

the NRG National River, and
essential to its national significance.
c. The cliffs in the NRG provide
habitat for rare plants.
d. The cliffs in the NRG provide
habitat for rare animals.
e. The cliffs in the NRG support
unique habitats and ecosystems.
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Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly
agree

Don’t
know

f. The views of natural landscape

from the cliffs in the NRG are
worth protecting from human
development.
g. The views from the cliffs in the
NRG are one of the Park’s most
important and unique resources.

This next section has questions about your behaviors and opinions regarding hiking
practices. Please place a check under the column that best describes how strongly you
agree or disagree with each of the following statements. (check one box for each question)
17.

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

a. I always pack out waste.
b. I always use official trails.
c. I respect revegetation efforts.
d. I avoid trails that have been
closed.
e. I practice Leave No Trace when I
hike.
f. I try to keep my noise level down.
g. I park my vehicle in designated
areas.
h. Soils & plants along the Park
trails are hardy and not easily
damaged.
i. I respect seasonal closures at
certain trails for wildlife needs.
j. The park provides clear
indications about which trails
should not be used.
k. Compared to other people I saw
on this visit, I am causing less
damage to the soils & vegetation.
l. I feel a responsibility to help
protect the plants and ecosystems
in the Park.
m. The continued use of unofficial
visitor created trails is a serious
threat to plants and soils along the
Park trails.
n. It is OK to walk off the official
trails, if I stay on unofficial trails
already created by visitors.

5

Neutral

Agree

Strongly
agree

Don’t
know

The next question deals with potential resource impacts at hiking areas in the New River
Gorge, and if you perceive them to be a problem. Please place a check under the column that
best describes to what extent each of the following is a problem for you when hiking at the
New River Gorge. (check one box for each question)
18.

Not a
problem

Minor
problem

Neutral

Moderate
problem

Serious
problem

Don’t
know

a. Bare soil at the top or base of
cliffs.
b. Trampled vegetation at the top
or base of the cliff.
c. Dead or damaged trees at the top
or base of the cliff due to use as a
climbing anchor, or rappel site.
d. Erosion at/near the cliffs due to
multiple trails.
e. Vegetation damaged or being
removed from cliff face.
f. Pieces of litter/trash at the cliff.
g. Human waste visible along cliff
lines or trails.
h. Chalk tick marks on routes.
i. Vandalism at NRG.
j. People that do not control their
dogs adequately.

Climbing is another popular activity in the NRG. This series of questions ask you to
think about your opinions about management preferences, as well as how hiking and
climbing is currently managed at the New River Gorge. Please place a check under the
column that best describes how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements. (check one box for each question)
Definitions:
*Fixed Anchor: Presence of fixed bolts/webbing/pitons on cliff, used for anchor/rappel stations.
*Bolts: Permanent bolts used on sport routes, and as anchor points.

19.

Strongly
disagree

a. The impact of bolts & anchors on the
natural resource is minimal.
b. There should be official regulations
concerning where, when, and how bolts
and fixed anchors should be used.
c. The presence of numerous bolts &
anchors negatively affects my climbing
experience.
d. The National Park Service managers at
the NRG share my values.

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Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Don’t
know

e. All climbing guide services should be
required to be certified or accredited.
f. I am familiar with the climbing
regulations at the NRG.
g. Climbing is not treated fairly in the
management process when compared to
other recreation activities at the NRG.
h. Climbing group sizes should be limited
at NRG.
i. I was not offended by seeing climbing
bolts or anchors.
j. I trust that the National Park Service
managers at the NRG will do what is
right for the Park.
k. Climbers need to be educated
concerning their role in the management
process.
l. Large groups of climbers detracted from
my experience at NRG.
m. Most climbing areas need an official
management plan in order to provide
sustained use.
n. The National Park Service managers at
the NRG have the same goals as me.
o. Park managers do not have adequate
knowledge of climbing to properly
manage it at the NRG.
p. Climber’s practice of land stewardship
is not adequate.
q. Poor communication of rules &
regulations is a problem at NRG.
r. Climbers have a negative attitude
toward management at the NRG.

20. These questions ask you to indicate how important the NRG is you. Please indicate to what
extent you agree or disagree with the following statements about the New River Gorge area.
(please check one box for each question)
Strongly
Disagree

a. This place means a lot to me.
b. I feel like this place is a part of me.
c. I feel no commitment to this place.
d. I get more satisfaction out of climbing
at the New River Gorge than anywhere
else.
e. The New River Gorge is the best place
for doing the kind of climbing I do.
f. There is NO substitute for the type and
quality of climbing at the New River

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Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly
agree

Don’t
know

Gorge.

Topic Area 2 – Trip Planning
21. How do you usually obtain information about climbing in the NRG? (check all
sources that you have used)
† Local guidebook
† Climbing websites
† Friends/word of mouth
† Through personal exploration &
discovery
† Outdoor/climbing stores around the NRG
† National Park Service information (website, brochure, etc.)
† Other: ____________________________
Topic Area 1 - Individual Characteristics
22. Have you ever taken a course on, or been trained in, Leave No Trace (LNT) practices?
(check one)

† Yes

† No

Topic Area 2 – Trip Behaviors
23. Did you encounter any National Park Service rangers on the trails today? (check one )
† Yes
† No
Topic Area 6: Trust in the NPS (variation)
24. How much do you trust or distrust the following as a source of information about cliff
resource management? (please check for each item)
Strongly
distrust

Somewhat
distrust

Somewhat
trust

Strongly
trust

Family & friends
Environmental organizations
Businesses (outdoor related)
Outdoor related organizations
Scientists in general
National Park rangers in general
National Park rangers at the New River
Gorge National River
Mainstream news media
Of the sources listed above, which do you most strongly trust, and WHY?
List source: ______________
Why trust?: _____________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

Of the sources listed above, which do you most strongly distrust, and WHY?
List source: ______________
Why distrust?: ___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Topic Area 1 - Individual Characteristics
25. To which of the following organizations affiliated with the outdoors or the environment do
you currently belong? (please check all that apply)

† Leave No Trace
† Nature Conservancy
† Sierra Club
† Wilderness Society
† National Audubon Society † National Parks Conservation Association
† Other (please write in) _________________________________________
Topic Area 6 – Evaluation of Services and Management
26. Did you know that volunteers undertake trail maintenance projects at NRG?
(check one)

† Yes

† No

Topic Area 3 – Trip Behaviors – variation (Questions 27and 28)
27. Have you ever volunteered for a trail maintenance project at NRG (trail construction, trash
clean up, etc.)? (check one)
† Yes
† No
28. Have you ever volunteered for trail maintenance project anywhere else (trail construction,
trash clean up, etc.)? (check one)
† Yes
† No
Topic Area 6–Opinions of Services and Management
29. Do you think visitors should share responsibility for park resource (trails, etc.)
maintenance? (check one)
† Yes
† No

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Finally, we would like to know a bit more about you.
Topic Area 1 - Individual Characteristics (Questions 30-38)
30. What is your gender? (please check one)

† Male

† Female

31. What is the highest grade of school or year of college that you completed? (check one)
† Less than high school
† High school graduate or GED
† Some college or associate degree

† Four year college degree
† Masters, doctoral, or professional degree

32. Are you Hispanic or Latino? (check one)

† Yes

† No

33. Which racial groups do you identify with? (check one or more)

†
†
†
†
†

American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
White
34. What is your age? (please write in number) ________
35. Are you a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S.? (check one and fill in)

† No ― What is your country of origin? ______________________________
† Yes ― What is your zip code, city and state of residence?
Zip Code _____________________________
City _________________________________
State _______________________________
36. How many people (including yourself) are in your party on this visit? (write in number)__
Which of the following best describes your personal group you are traveling with?
(check one) Myself alone
† Myself with family (including spouse/partner and/or other family
members/relatives)
† Myself with family and friends
† Myself with friends
† Outfitter guided
Specify_________________________________
† Club/organization/school
Specify_________________________________
† Other (Please specify)
_______________________________________________
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37. Do you consider yourself to be a leader or organizer for your group?

† Yes

† No

38. Are there any children under age 18 in your group? (check one & write in number as
needed)
† No
† Yes Æ How many children are in each of these age categories?
______ Number of children under 5 years old.
______ Number of children age 5-12
______ Number of children age 13-17

Thank you for your help!
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