Comment from Kelly, Seamus
Seamus KellySupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter, identifying as a conservationist and climber, supports the federal recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors. They request that the final policy simplify the authorization process for new routes and expedite the replacement of existing anchors to ensure climber safety.
I'm a conservationist, climber and lover of the outdoors. I'm glad there will be federal recognition and guidelines for climbing. These should be clear, common sense and minimize red tape.
I support the recognition that climbing is an appropriate Wilderness activity and that fixed anchors, critical pieces of the climbing safety system, are allowable in Wilderness. I also support provisions to allow climbers to place or replace fixed anchors without authorization in the event of an emergency. I appreciate that the policy protects existing climbing routes that were developed before the PARC Act was passed into law. Legacy Wilderness climbs should remain available in order to preserve America’s rich climbing legacy.
Please improve policies to expedite timely replacement of fixed anchors in order to avoid unnecessary barriers to climber safety. The authorization process for new climbing routes that require fixed anchors should be easier to navigate. Please provide a clear path for programmatic authorization, or preauthorization, at climbing areas that do not necessitate case-by-case special use permits.