Forest Service Aims to Recognize Climbing as a Legitimate Recreation in Wilderness Areas
The U.S. Forest Service is taking steps to officially recognize recreational climbing as a legitimate activity on its lands. This groundbreaking move involves the introduction of national guidelines that would also enable the use of more fixed anchors in designated wilderness areas. Traditionally, climbers have relied on drilling bolts into rock formations to secure these anchors, which are critical for safety during climbs.
In 2024, Congress mandated the update of climbing policies by the agency, prompting this proposed change.
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz highlighted the significance of the proposal in a press release, stating, “This proposed directive provides much-needed national policy for climbing activities and gives local decision-makers the ability to work with partners, tribes, climbing organizations.”
Currently, Forest Service lands are the site of about 30% of all outdoor climbing in the U.S. As outlined in a 2022 report by the Outdoor Industry Association, of the approximate 10.3 million climbers in the country, around 2.3 million are involved in sport climbing or bouldering, while roughly 2.4 million undertake traditional ice climbing or mountaineering. The public has until August 14 to comment on this proposal.
This initiative coincides with efforts by the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop its own climbing guidelines for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service.
However, some conservation groups are voicing concerns. They argue that these plans could potentially harm the natural landscapes and increase visitor traffic in sensitive wilderness areas. Kate Groetzinge, Communications Director at the Center for Western Priorities, emphasized the importance of wilderness designations, stating, “Wilderness designations are the most powerful tool we have to protect sensitive and ecologically important public lands.” She further expressed vigilance against any attempts that might undermine protections, saying, “We’ll be watching closely for any attempt by the Trump administration to undercut existing or future protections for America’s wildlands.”
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