There is no doubt that recreation impacts the environment, but does it not also build an appreciation for it?

Rock climbers are fortunate to experience nature’s amazing features and qualities in a very deep way, and I would dare to say that many of the most environmentally conscious people I know are those obsessed with playing in nature.  Climbers, bikers, kayakers and the like don’t just see nature or visit it, but take part in it.  They live within and communicate through it in a physical and kinesthetic way. They spend money, consume time, pour energy and sacrifice their bodies for their sports and the environments that gave rise to them.

I am not saying that rock climbing doesn’t in some way harm the environment just like every other recreational sport, but I do think many climbers care about the environment and do what they can because of their great appreciation for these places. Of course some are more passionate about preserving nature than others. I have seen climbers scrub off every tick mark and knock down every cairn. I also know many climbers who stop their leave-no-trace ethics at trash removal and others who believe in a “White Wilderness,” where LNT principals apply to even the publicity of areas.

Opinions about the appropriate amount and types of acceptable impact are as varied as climbers themselves, but it is important that climbers at least think about their impact on rocky environments and take the time to decide what impact is acceptable and what they are willing to do to limit and mitigate their impact on the areas they enjoy so often.

Here is a link to explore  The Impact

Here is a link to explore The Restoration