The trend of rock climbers leaving their mark on national treasures doesn’t appear to be changing for the better. Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Arches National Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are all being marred by participants of this popular sport. Erosion, holes drilled into bare rock faces, cut trees, and abandoned gear strewn through forest floors are just a few of the offenses.
Like Marek Warzawski of the Fresno Bee put it, “As the number of people climbing boulders increases, so too do concerns about the damage they can do to the ecosystems that surround these rocks.”
Some climbing enthusiasts and park rangers believe that much of the disrespect to nature is owed to fact that many city slickers partake in the sport; they learn in artificial rock gyms and then try to transition that man-made environment to the outdoors during weekend getaways. Imparting ethics to this novice group is a challenge rangers and fellow climbers will be facing in years to come.
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