Photo from AIA Blog.
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All of us have seen roads gated and access to both public and private lands cut back for a variety
of reasons. The specific pressures driving these events include a complex set of factors such as
the simple cost of maintaining roads and trails, environmental regulation for specific goals such
as salmon recovery and, in some cases, political efforts by environmental groups concerned that
recreational use may be inherently destructive. Washington climbers are a diverse group with
varying opinions on all of these issues but one thing is for sure: we should all take part in those
discussions that will indirectly if not directly affect our access to the cliffs, crags and boulders
that make Washington such a great place to climb.
Current conservation efforts that will affect access include a proposed expansion of the Alpine
Lakes Wilderness in the Pratt River drainage. A little backgrouund information can be found in an August 8, 2007 Seattle Post
Intelligencer article. In addition, there is a Highway 2 Greenway Initiative being promoted by
a local conservation group, the Cascade Land Conservancy. For some background on this group, see their web page. Supporters of both these
efforts have recently contacted the Washington Climbers Coalition, asking for our endorsement. In
addition, there is a current Federal legislative effort to designate more areas around the state as "roadless
areas." Some information on this can be found at this website.
Washington climbers have an opportunity to get involved in these discussions and others like
them. Lets talk.
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