Climbing in Wilderness
What you need to know
Climbing in wildernessRock climbing in Wilderness is a valuable privilege that CASA hopes to protect. To maintain that privilege, we must be aware of Wilderness boundaries and the rules used to manage them.
Do you know when you're climbing in Wilderness? Use this map to view the Pusch Ridge boundaries. |
Interactive Pusch Ridge Wilderness map
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Bolting in wildernessFederal law prohibits use of motorized equipment, including motorized power drills, in Wilderness. Also, according to the Access Fund (see infographic below), in Wilderness “bolts are used as a last resort, and must be placed (drilled) by hand.”
Failure to follow these rules has created serious access issues in other Wilderness areas such as the Superstition Wilderness and Joshua Tree. Compliance with these rules can help prevent access issues and protect our ability to climb in Wilderness areas. |
Why the Wilderness Act Matters
Some of the tangible and intangible values mentioned in the Wilderness Act include ‘solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation,’ as well as ‘ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.’
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Bighorn Sheep Closure -- January 1 - April 30
$5,000 fine for violations
This temporary Forest Service closure protects bighorn sheep during lambing season. It applies to all users, including climbers and hikers, prohibiting anyone from being more than 400 feet from an official Forest Service–sanctioned trail. This closure includes such climbs as Void of Form and those on Pontatoc Buttress, Finger Rock, Golden Dome, Leviathon, and others.
Be sheep smart and don't get fined! Consult the map (p. 4) before climbing.
Be sheep smart and don't get fined! Consult the map (p. 4) before climbing.