Rock Climbing, Bouldering, and Hiking
US Department of the Interior safety and information guide for rock climbing, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: climbing & camping, 1992. Courtesy of the University of Minnesota via HathiTrust.
The Mountain West region provides rock climbing and bouldering opportunities on a variety of surfaces including shale, sandstone, granite, and redrock. And, rock climbing isn’t anything new. The cliff dwelling Ancestral Puebloans, or Anasazi, were thought to be excellent climbers.
Rock climbing is separated into several styles because of the range and variety of rock formations. Some of these different styles and techniques include free climbing, aid climbing, bouldering, solo, crack, face, and slab climbing. The most popular form of the sport today is free climbing, which uses holds entirely of natural rock and gear only for protection. Aid climbing uses a variety of specialized climbing techniques and equipment.
Although most climbers adhere to minimal impact or leave no trace practices, climbing can be damaging to the environment: erosion, chalk accumulation, bolts and ropes, and introduction of foreign plant seeds are just a few of the effects humans can have on the landscape. Climbing can also interfere with the nesting of raptors. Climber efforts to reduce impact on the environment ensure the continued use of lands for this popular sport.
