Comment from Skyler Singleton
AnonymousSupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors, particularly for safety and legacy routes. They request improvements to expedite anchor replacement and advocate for a clear path to explore and develop new routes in areas without specific climbing management plans.
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. New routes can enhance the climbing experience and should be allowed on National Forest lands, consistent with existing regulations, even where no climbing management plan has been adopted. Please provide a clear path for new route exploration at areas that lack plans that specifically address climbing.