Hickenlooper leadership; Senate committee vote an important step toward protecting America’s climbing

Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously adopted an amendment to the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA) that would protect rock climbing on public lands, including Wilderness, around the country. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) offered the proposal, which was then approved by his committee colleagues.

“We’re thrilled that Senator Hickenlooper’s proposal to protect Wilderness climbing was accepted by the full Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,” says Access Fund Executive Director Chris Winter. “Climbers across the country answered our call to action and helped to make this happen. Now, let’s get this over the finish line and to the president’s desk.”

The amendment does three important things to protect climbing on America’s public lands and maintain support from the climbing community for future Wilderness designations:

  • Recognizes that climbing and its safety systems—including fixed anchors—are appropriate uses in federally designated Wilderness areas;

  • Protects Wilderness climbing in National Parks through consistent management guidance across federal land management agencies; and,

  • Provides for the continued use and maintenance of existing climbing routes.

“Outdoor recreation is enormously important to Colorado—for our communities, our economies, and our way of life,” says Hickenlooper during the vote. “A critical part of this was recognizing fixed anchors […] as appropriate for use in Wilderness areas, as they have been for years upon years.”

Neither AORA or its House companion, the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, would enable sport climbing-style bolting in Wilderness areas, or change the prohibition on using power drills to place fixed anchors. Access Fund created an easy-to-use letter-writing tool and encourages rock climbers from across the country to make their voices heard on sustainable Wilderness climbing.

“Colorado climbers asked Senator Hickenlooper to be a champion for outdoor recreation and rural economies, and the senator answered that call,” says Erik Murdock, Access Fund vice president of policy and government affairs. “Thanks to his vision and support, we’re one step closer to protecting rock climbing in Colorado and around the country.”

America’s 8 million climbers are a powerful climbing advocacy movement. Access Fund works to empower climbers with the tools they need to be effective advocates for the lands and sport they love—whether that’s elevating their voices to lawmakers, connecting them to volunteer opportunities, providing training and grants for local access and conservation projects, or helping them minimize their environmental impacts. Every climber has an incredible opportunity to influence the future of climbing and the greater conservation movement.