Comment from Maya Mandyam

My name is Maya Mandyam. I am writing to comment on the climbing-related provisions in Director’s Order 41 and Reference Manual 41. I appreciate that these documents recognize climbing as a legitimate wilderness use. I am a climber, but it is more apt to say that climbing is who I am. It is the most fundamental, pure thing I know how to do. Going to the mountains is going home, to put it in words used by so many. I, therefore, want to protect my privilege to express my creativity and life in these mountains I love so much. As such, I am providing feedback on the aforementioned documents, and I hope you will use it constructively, knowing that my words are written with my soul at the keyboard. First, there is no guaranteed review timeline for Special Use Permit (SUP) approval. Adding red tape without establishing anything to promote efficiency will likely lead to unsurmountable delays. As you know all too well, weather is fickle in our national parks. Seasons change quickly which could prevent permits from being approved in time for the work to be done. It is unreasonable to expect climbers, who are putting in their own time and money to create anchors for community use, to have to overcome bureaucracy on an unknown timeline. We can all agree that wilderness preservation is paramount. If I didn’t think that was true, I would climb in a gym and not have to deal with the hassle of driving hours, camping, hiking miles and miles, and submitting this comment to you. That being said, bolt-intensive face climbs are not incompatible with wilderness preservation. Have you ever received feedback that somebody felt they weren’t in wilderness because they saw too many bolts? I certainly have not. (I have only received positive feedback upon seeing climbers; comments like “that’s so cool!” and “I want to try that!” are the norm.) Further, there is no standard for bolt-intensive face climbs. Policies should be clear and consistent. Finally, people will find a way to climb. If you do not allow sufficient bolts, they will still climb, but now it will be dangerous – possibly, deadly. It is unreasonable to require fixed equipment such as fixed lines and crevasse ladders to have a Minimum Requirements Analysis (MRA). This fixed equipment is easily removable, so it does not make sense to have to undergo significant red tape to place it. Again, these items are services to the community that are out of sight of most park visitors and not disturbing the wilderness environment for those who do see them. I truly appreciate the effort that is going into protecting climbing in our wild areas. I believe North America, particularly the American West, is unique and magical in its vast, untouched landscapes. I want it to remain so. Allowing climbers, who care so much about this land, to continue climbing in the way they must, is vital to the protecting of our lands. Thank you.