EXPLORE Act Mandated Wilderness Climbing Guidance FR Notice

The commenter opposes the allowance of fixed bolts for climbing in federal wilderness, particularly within national parks. They argue that wilderness areas are unique and should be preserved from permanent anchors, suggesting that climbers should instead use removable gear that requires greater skill.

The commenter suggests that the proposed guidance should explicitly include "removable bolts" as a category of temporary protection. They argue that these bolts should be considered distinct from fixed anchors because they are removed after use, allowing for specific aid climbing techniques without leaving permanent hardware behind.