Kevin Arnold
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It's one thing to commune with nature by scampering up rocky walls—with or without a rope. The tricky part is doing so without leaving too deep of a footprint. That's where Leave No Trace comes into play. The crew at Nomadik.com tells us: "In a world of disposable cameras, one-time use razors and pre-packaged snacks that promise to make travel effortless, it's hard to think environmentally. But leaving no trace is essential if you want to have a natural habitat to return to. Fortunately, with a little planning, it's easier than you think."
Popular climbing cliffs can result in trash, impacted vegetation, chalk marks, permanent equipment, and overflowing parking lots. One small step toward greening your climb experience would be to always respect wildlife: "Critical nesting sites are found in cliff faces for many birds. Other animals use rock outcrops for shelter. Be aware of closures, both mandatory and voluntary, and follow them. Keep alert for animals protecting their home and change or abandon your route to leave them space." In addition, those who choose to bring along canine companions, should be certain to keep all dogs leashed and all times.
Part of the "leave no trace" concept as it pertains to rock climbing is to "leave what you find." For example:
- Use removable protection as much as possible.
- Use fixed protection sparingly. Use earth-colored webbing. Use colored bolt hangers. This will help minimize the visual distractions.
- If you plan to place any bolts, check with local land managers first. It may not be legal or it may be required to use a hand drill rather than motorized drill.
- If you are climbing a new route, avoid lichen-covered rock, vegetated cracks, and areas that require lots of cleaning. Leave the rock as you find it rather than force a route that will leave a noticeable path.
David DeFranza suggests climbers consider staying local whenever possible and those that can't, should share a ride. Other green climbing options include: recycling your ropes and adopting a crag.
Related Posts:
How to Go Green: Outdoor Sports
The Action Sports Environmental Coalition
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
