Think Globally, Climb Locally

Matt Samet wrote a great editorial in the latest issue of Climbing Magazine about climber’s and their impact on the environment. I’ve talked before about how climbers as a group are guilty of being all high and mighty about the environment while at the same time driving large SUV’s for hundreds of miles to Indian Creek every weekend to enjoy a sport that is a luxury much of the world can’t even fathom. Can you imagine talking to a bunch of refugees in a war torn area about rock climbing? You intentionally place your lives at risk…for fun???

Having just got back from the Outdoor Retailer trade show, there was a heavy focus on”being Green” and recycled this and recycled that. It all looks good from the outside, but if the whole bunch really wanted to be green, they’d host the conference virtually, something tech industries are already doing. But I digress…

I realize that folks aren’t going to stop road tripping any time soon, but Matt points out that he could have climbed locally instead of driving 300 miles the last weekend and much of the experience would have been the same, minus the crowds. Which brings me to the whole idea of “think globally, climb locally.” I’ve always felt fortunate to live in a spot with so much good climbing within an hour’s drive. In college we used to drive 3 hours each way to climb at the Gunks, but thought little of it, as gas was barely $1/gallon! With gas more expensive, the local options look better and better, and the adventures further afield are saved for longer trips to get the most out of the mileage.

While I don’t think most climbers are going to change their lifestyle any time soon, these issues are at least worth thinking about.