EXPLORE Act Mandated Wilderness Climbing Guidance FR Notice

The commenter supports the USFS's recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the inclusion of fixed anchors, while praising the focus on collaboration with Local Climbing Organizations. However, they urge the agency to provide more clarity on the specific processes for creating and implementing Climbing Management Plans (CMPs).

Jarad Frey, a combat veteran and law enforcement officer, supports allowing professionals to bolt climbing routes to improve safety. He argues that safer routes provide important mental health benefits and accessibility for intermediate climbers who cannot risk injury.

An experienced rock climber supports the proposed guidance but suggests specific modifications to protect existing routes, allow power drills for maintenance and rescues, and adjust bolt density requirements. The commenter also proposes a fee system for wilderness rescues to discourage frivolous calls.

The commenter supports the recognition of rock climbing on public lands but advocates for specific provisions regarding the installation and modernization of fixed hardware. They also request that these provisions be universal and express concern that communication requirements with park staff may be overly burdensome.

The Leavenworth Mountain Association supports the proposed guidance but urges the Forest Service not to make comprehensive climbing management plans a prerequisite for routine maintenance or new route authorization. They advocate for protecting legacy routes and anchors, clarifying definitions for small-scale hardware, and emphasizing the safety role of anchors outside wilderness areas.

The commenter supports the USFS draft regarding climbing management in National Forests and Wilderness areas. They specifically advocate for the use of fixed anchors for safety, the creation of local management pathways, and the preservation of legacy wilderness climbs.

Noah Dailey, a rock climber from California, opposes the EXPLORE Act Mandated Wilderness Climbing Guidance. He argues that the proposed guidance would infringe on climbers' personal freedoms and safety by restricting their ability to place life-saving bolts in the wilderness.

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.

David Adams, a volunteer national parks ranger and experienced climber, supports the proposed guidance. He argues against the use of bolts in wilderness climbing, stating that bolting is unsustainable and violates the "forever wild" ethos of wilderness areas.

The commenter, a climber, supports the recognition of climbing as an appropriate wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors. They advocate for streamlining the authorization process for new routes and the replacement of existing anchors to improve climber safety.