There are many threats to access to climbing and mountaineering areas:
- Fear of lawsuits
- Potential or actual impact on the environment or archaeological sites
- Laws and regulations that limit or prohibit access to climbing and mountaineering areas
- Private properties
- Large urban development constructions – hydroelectric dams, mining zones, etc.
Access is everyone’s responsibility! Take care of your backyard!
How to Fight for Access
- Behave respectfully – respect other visitors and landowners, maintain trails, clean areas of trash and chalk, etc.
- Negotiate between climbers and landowners, whether private or state, to allow access through their lands.
- Support protected areas in their regulations and management of mountaineering and climbing areas.
- Closely follow legislation that may interfere with climbing; advocate against policies that prevent responsible access while encouraging politicians towards pro-climbing laws.
- Promote and take part in efforts to conserve the environment, such as trail construction and maintenance, reforestation, and trash collection.
- Gain and share knowledge on climbing and mountaineering culture, principles, and values.
Tips on Keeping Access Open or Negotiating Closed Access:
- Start by building a relationship, whether with the landowner or the park manager.
- Find out about the legislation of your country and the area you are in.
- Demonstrate that climbers can support and maintain the area, not just use it.
- Listen! Understand the concerns and the other side’s point of view.
- Study! Come prepared with arguments that the other side is likely to listen to.
- Situations change; periodically review and restart, while always maintaining good relationships.
On Private Properties:
- Ask first! Climbing on private land is a privilege in most countries.
- Put yourself in the owner’s shoes: understand their point of view to negotiate better.
- Look at climbing management and risk management tools.
- Common concerns of private landowners: civil liability, safety, loss of control of their properties, land degradation by disrespectful users, noise, trash, pets.
In Protected Areas and Public Lands:
- Study the regulations and laws of protected areas.
- Understand the purpose and reason for regulations within protected areas.
- Be respectful and strive to develop a long-term relationship with protected areas and their governing authorities.
- Many protected areas have councils where citizens can participate. Join one.
- Resources are few and bureaucracy is extensive – understand the relevant processes.
- Negotiate realistic solutions and recommendations.