Young Climbers Not Afraid to Get Hands Dirty

By Andrea Imler on October 23, 2008 - 9:33am

If you think today’s youth are up to no good, you obviously haven’t been at Newhalem Crags in the North Cascades National Park recently. A group of 8 young climbers and 16 others volunteered a coveted Saturday in September to build an access path to the Crags in Washington.

The new path helps maintain the health of the vegetation by encouraging climbers to stay on the path, rather than create numerous social paths, which harm the delicate vegetation in the area. This event was a great way to unite the climbing community around a stewardship project that directly affects the well-being of the Newhalem climbing area.

After having a voluntary moratorium on new route building at the Newhalem Crags for the past five years, this event also marked the full reopening of the Newhalem Crags for all to enjoy! This event was part of the North Cascades National Park’s 40th Anniversary events.

The event was part of the Access Fund’s Adopt-a-Crag program, and was sponsored by The Wilderness Society, Access Fund, Washington Climbers Coalition, North Cascades National Park, Washington Trails Association and Vertical World.