Comment from Takemori, Gil
Gil TakemoriSupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter supports the proposed recognition of climbing as a Wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors, particularly for safety and legacy routes. They request further improvements to expedite anchor replacement and simplify the authorization process for new routes and programmatic preauthorizations.
The recent proposed reduction of federally protected lands is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to move forward. Selfish interests that will irreparably harm this precious land will forever scar these public gems forever and will keep future generations from their enjoyment and access.
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.