DENVER (KDVR) — Changes could soon be coming for rock climbers using backcountry areas, including in parts of Colorado.
The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service are looking to update guidance for managing rock climbing in wilderness areas. In Colorado, that includes more than 40 areas west of Interstate 25, like the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness in Estes Park, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness in Aspen and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness near Montrose.
“Just standardize the process and make sure that folks know no matter what park they’re getting into, what is the process of climbing here and potentially placing fixed anchors,” National Park Service spokesperson Cynthia Hernandez said.
Anchors are pieces of protection rock climbers bolt into the natural wall to help catch their rope to prevent a fall. They are left in place for other climbers to use to safely complete the route.
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