On today’s episode, Access Fund Interim Executive Director Erik Murdock returns to take a deep dive into an issue that Access Fund and the climbing community have worked on for decades: how fixed anchors are managed in Wilderness areas. It’s an issue that requires context, history, and nuance, which is what this episode delivers.

Erik begins with a thorough history of climbing in America’s Wilderness areas, then we get into the finer details of why managing fixed anchors in these places is a big deal right now. As Erik explains, recently released guidance from the National Park Service and US Forest Service will have serious implications if implemented. Join us for a deep dive into this issue, and submit your comment to the NPS and USFS on their management guidance before January 30 here.

Timestamps

5:12- The early conversations around wilderness - are fixed anchors allowable or prohibited?
8:28- Erik's opening on fixed anchors and wilderness
27:04- Why are fixed anchors being managed now?
30:42- Managing fixed anchors outside of wilderness
41:13- Climbers supporting past wilderness designations
51:23- Protect America's Rock Climbing (PARC) Act
59:26- Minimum Requirements Analysis (MRA) in more depth
1:04:35- Will fixed hardware be removed from existing routes?
1:09:27- Where do we go from here?

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