EXPLORE Act Mandated Wilderness Climbing Guidance FR Notice

Maya Mandyam, a climber, opposes the proposed regulations because she believes they introduce unnecessary "red tape" and bureaucratic delays for Special Use Permits and Minimum Requirements Analyses. She argues that these requirements will hinder community-based climbing improvements and could lead to dangerous climbing conditions if sufficient bolts are not allowed.

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 the policy to expedite anchor replacement and simplify the authorization process for new routes through programmatic preauthorization.

The commenter, identifying as a recreational climber, supports the proposed guidance and the Protecting America's Rock Climbing Act. They argue that fixed anchors are essential safety equipment that preserve climbing heritage and request streamlined processes for anchor replacement and programmatic authorization.

The commenter supports the proposed climbing management guidance and the PARC Act, noting that the current draft is a significant improvement over previous proposals. They advocate for a balanced approach that protects climbing access and safety while maintaining Wilderness character, and they suggest specific refinements regarding fixed-anchor definitions and streamlined authorization processes.

Stephanie Kalish opposes the Department of the Interior's review of wilderness policies across the BLM, NPS, and FWS. She argues that current policies provide a proven framework for protecting public land values, recreation, and ecological resources, and urges the Department to maintain the status quo.

Skyeler Congdon, a professional climbing guide with Cliffhanger Guides, supports the NPS efforts to provide guidance on wilderness climbing while advocating for specific improvements. The commenter argues for broad preauthorization of routine anchor replacement, a definition of "replacement" that includes modernization, and the maintenance of current practices until specific management plans are finalized.

The commenter, a wilderness lover and climber, supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors. They request improvements to expedite anchor replacement and advocate for a clearer, more streamlined programmatic authorization process for new climbing routes.

A recreational climber from Southern California supports the recognition of climbing as an appropriate wilderness activity and the preservation of legacy routes. The commenter requests improvements to expedite the replacement of fixed anchors and seeks a clearer, more programmatic authorization process for new climbing routes.

Patosha Y. Reece, a private citizen and experienced climber, supports the guidance's approach to replacing old anchors but requests more streamlined, pre-authorized processes for new low-impact anchors. The commenter also advocates for more discretion regarding "bolt-intensive" designations and emphasizes the need for clear timelines in the permit process.

An Idaho climber and mountaineer supports the NPS's recognition of recreational climbing and fixed anchors but argues for specific revisions to the guidance. The commenter advocates for preauthorized routine maintenance, flexible "one-for-one" replacement rules, and programmatic authorization for low-impact anchors to ensure safety and resource protection without creating administrative burdens.