WRITERS ON THE RANGE MOUNTAINS DON’T NEED HARDWARE

BY DANA JOHNSON

Editor’s note: This syndicated opinion column follows the tragic death of Boulder local Bailee Mulholland, 26, who died on Sunday after falling during a free-solo climb in Rocky Mountain National Park. Boulder Weekly staff sends our deepest condolences to her family, friends and fellow climbers who are reeling from this incalculable loss. Watch this space for future stories on the evolving sport, and share your thoughts at letters@boulderweekly.com

We humans want the most out of life, so why shouldn’t we push to get more of what we want?

That’s what some rock climbers must be thinking. They want to enter designated wilderness in order to drill permanent anchors into rock faces, turning these wild places into sport-climbing walls.

When the Wilderness Act became law in 1964, it put wildlife and wildlands first, decreeing that these special places should be left alone as much as possible. This unusual approach codified humility, arguing that some wild places, rich in fauna and natural beauty, needed as much protection as possible.

So far, the act protects less than 3% of what Congress called “untrammeled” public land in the Lower 48. These are unique places free of roads and vehicles and most man-made intrusions that afflict the rest of America.

The Wilderness Act also prohibits “installations,” but to get around this, a group called the Access Fund has persuaded friends in Congress to introduce a bill that would, in effect, amend the Wilderness Act.

As Boulder County’s only independently owned newspaper, Boulder Weekly is dedicated to illuminating truth, advancing justice and protecting the First Amendment through ethical, no-holdsbarred journalism and thought-provoking opinion writing. Free every Thursday since 1993, the Weekly also offers the county’s most comprehensive arts and entertainment coverage. Read the print version, or visit boulderweekly. com. Boulder Weekly does not accept unsolicited editorial submissions. If you’re interested in writing for the paper, please send queries to: editorial@boulderweekly.com Any materials sent to Boulder Weekly become the property of the newspaper.

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