Rock climbing at Arches National Park may see some new rules in the near future. Park officials are taking another look at the regulations governing rock climbing inside the park near Moab.
The National Park Service says they want to look at expanding the regulations, but would like to hear from the public before making any decisions. The public comment period for the new Climbing and Canyoneering Management Plan runs through August 10th.
Federal officials are combing through the rules four years after new regulations were put in place in 2006 in response to the controversy surrounding rock climber Dean Potter’s free-solo climb of Delicate Arch.
The climbing rules back then were too vague to prosecute Potter, so the current rules make it clear that rock climbing is prohibited on any arch or natural bridge named on the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 topographical maps.
In addition, canyoneering will be closely scrutinized as the activity has seen a recent explosion in popularity, and sometimes requires the use of climbing gear for rappelling and ascending up difficult terrain.
According to the project scope document issued earlier this month by Superintendent Kate Cannon, park managers will evaluate the effects of increased use, the development of new routes, the use of fixed hardware, the designation of climbing and canyoneering routes, the development of approach trails, the visual impacts and the effects of climbing and canyoneering on visitor safety and experience.
Commercial guiding will also be examined as well as the need for a possible permit system, group size limits and the policy on installing or replacing bolts, anchors and software.
To read the project scope document for the Arches National Park Climbing and Canyoneering Management Plan and to comment on it, visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov/arch. You can also mail your comments to: National Park Service, Attn: Planning and Compliance, 2282 W. Resource Blvd. Moab, UT, 84532.
Comments accepted until Aug. 10.