Access Fund has teamed up with the University of Utah to conduct a survey of climbers who visit Indian Creek in Southeast Utah. This critical survey effort will help define strategies to ensure a sustainable future for climbing. We want to hear your hopes and dreams for the future of the Creek.

Indian Creek is located on ancestral lands of Ute (Nuu-agha-tuvu-pu) and Pueblo. © Ben Crawford

Home to world-class crack climbing, Indian Creek is one of the most popular climbing areas in the West, and it also sits within Bears Ears National Monument, which is culturally significant for the region’s Native American tribes. Access Fund has been working for more than 20 years to make sure this fragile and irreplaceable landscape is protected—from trail work to helping craft management plans to suing the Trump Administration over its decision to slash Bears Ears National Monument by nearly 85%.

Access Fund is working toward a long term vision where current and future generations of climbers will enjoy sustainable access to this incredible landscape and develop a deep appreciation for its truly unique cultural and ecological values.

As part of that vision, this survey will help Access Fund gauge visitation and outline key ways that climbers can work together with other partners to promote sustainable climbing practices and protect the Creek. The survey is being administered in partnership with Dr. David Carter from the University of Utah and is open to all climbers aged 18 and older.

“We encourage all Creek climbers to take this short survey as we develop a shared vision for the future of sustainable recreation and conservation in this iconic and sensitive landscape,” says Access Fund Executive Director Chris Winter.

Climbers who take the short, 12-minute survey will be entered to win a set of new Black Diamond C4 cams, size 0.75 to 3. Take the survey now >