Summit County Citizens Voice

Group says wilderness peaks an important part of climbing culture

A climbing access group says proposed new wilderness in Colorado would protect backcountry climbing areas.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Despite a few debates here and there on the ethics of bolting, climbers in general have always taken a progressive stance on land conservation, and the Access Fund this week continued that tradition by announcing its support for two pending Colorado wilderness proposals in the San Juans and on public federal lands in Summit and Eagle counties.

“The Access Fund is happy to join with recreation and conservation groups across the state to support these public land conservation initiatives that preserve backcountry climbing and recreation opportunities,” said Access Fund executive director Brady Robinson. “We support all types of climbing experiences, from the remote wilderness peaks to urban crags and bouldering areas. The opportunity to climb in protected wilderness areas is a key value that many climbers cherish. We hope our Colorado membership will contact their federal legislators in support of these proposals.”

Congressman John Salazar’s San Juan Wilderness Act that would protect over 61,000 acres in San Juan, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties (also sponsored by Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet).

Congressman Jared Polis’s Eagle and Summit County proposed Wilderness Preservation Act would designate 90,000 acres of public land in Summit and Eagle Counties as wilderness and special protection areas. Both proposed laws protect recreational access and respect private property rights.

The Access Fund sees both bills (S. 2762/H.R. 3914 and H.R. 6280) as responsible measures that appropriately balance recreational access with conservation. The wilderness proposals have received considerable vetting from climbers and Access Fund partners in the recreation and conservation communities.

In a release, the Access fund said, “These bills will provide permanent protection for some of Colorado’s most renowned views and mountains, including the slopes of Mt. Sneffels, Wilson Peak, and Hoosier Ridge. The Access Fund urges all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to support these vital conservation efforts and help pass this legislation.”

About the Access Fund
Since 1991, the Access Fund has been the only national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 2.3 million climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and bouldering. Five core programs support the mission on national and local levels: climbing management policy, stewardship and conservation, local support and mobilization, land acquisition and protection, and education.

Filed under: Environment, recreation, Summit County Colorado Tagged: | climbing, Colorado Wilderness, Hidden Gems, Public land, Summit County Colorado, Summit County News, The Access Fund, The Wilderness Act, White River National Forest