Recreational Climbing (Explore Act) 91 FR 35996 6.15.26

Wild Montana supports the proposed updates to BLM Manual 6340 regarding recreational climbing in Wilderness areas, noting that climbing is a compatible quiet recreation. They suggest clarifying definitions for "fixed equipment," recommending flexible thresholds for casual-use anchors, and requesting a national template for Climbing Management Plans.

The commenter, a conservationist and climber, supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors. They advocate for streamlining the authorization process for new routes and expediting the replacement of existing anchors to improve climber safety.

The commenter supports the recognition of climbing as an appropriate wilderness activity and the use of fixed anchors for safety. They advocate for streamlined authorization processes for new routes and programmatic preauthorization for certain climbing areas to improve safety and accessibility.

An individual climber opposes the proposed updates to BLM Manual 6320 regarding "casual use" definitions for multipitch climbs. The commenter argues that the five-pitch limit is unreasonable and unsafe, as it may discourage the installation of necessary two-bolt anchors for rappels and descents.

The commenter supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors, specifically for safety and legacy routes. They request improvements to expedite anchor replacement and advocate for easier, programmatic authorization for new climbing routes.

The commenter, a long-time climber and youth climbing coach, supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the use of fixed anchors. They advocate for streamlined processes for replacing old anchors and programmatic authorizations for new routes to improve safety and accessibility.

The commenter supports the recognition of climbing as an appropriate wilderness activity and advocates for the inclusion of fixed anchors in wilderness areas. They specifically request streamlined processes for the replacement of existing anchors and programmatic authorization for new routes to improve climber safety and accessibility.

The commenter supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors, but argues that the proposed policy complicates new routing and safety. They request that the BLM simplify the authorization process for new routes and provide programmatic authorizations for specific climbing areas.

The commenter supports the recognition of climbing as a wilderness activity and the allowance of fixed anchors, specifically for safety and legacy routes. They request improvements to expedite anchor replacement and advocate for easier, programmatic authorization for new climbing routes.

The commenter supports the proposed updates to the BLM Manual regarding climbing in wilderness areas, specifically praising the inclusion of fixed anchors and collaboration with Local Climbing Organizations. However, they request more clarity on the specific processes for drafting and adopting Climbing Management Plans (CMPs) and handling new routing.