Article paints rock climbing in unnecessarily negative light

Editor:

I was disappointed to read the article in Friday’s Echo that was so staunchly anti-rock climbing. The article and headlines such as Rock climbing traffic exposes impact on rare cliffs and Neighbour witnesses destructive behaviour paint climbers in an overwhelmingly and unnecessarily negative light.

Unbeknownst to many, our backyard in Creemore has some of the best rock climbing in Eastern Canada. Places like Devil’s Glen, The Swamp near Kolapore, as well as Lion’s Head further afield on the Bruce Peninsula, have world class rock climbing and attract climbers from across the country. While we are lucky to live in a place that allows us so many different recreational pursuits such as hiking, road biking, mountain biking, downhill skiing, nordic skiing, snowmobiling, etc., each of these activities places demands on the local environment and its ecology, on its roads, and infrastructure. Normally, we accommodate these activities because their benefits to the local area and its economy outweigh their impacts. Climbing is just one of these. Rather than try to limit climbing and access to it, we should be celebrating the fact that we have some of the best climbing east of the Rockies by putting in parking and washrooms and signage and the support other outdoor recreation activities in this area already enjoy.

Rock climbing is only growing in the years to come. Films like Free Solo and The Dawn Wall and rock climbing’s recent debut as an Olympic sport have inspired new generations of climbers.

Climbing gyms and climbing interest has mushroomed across the country. While this means increased pressure on roadsides and access trails for the foreseeable future, it also means more money and vitality injected into local economies and the communities that support it.

I urge The Echo to use three pages of the next issue interviewing climbers about the sport, its impacts, and its benefits to local areas.

Bianca Perren,

Creemore.