10.27.2012

BLM CONSIDERS ENDING A RED ROCK BOLTING BAN

La Madre Mountain
In 2000, the placement of new bolts was banned in the La Madre Mountain and Rainbow Mountain sectors of Red Rock Canyon, effectively chilling the development of new routes within an area comprising 48,000 acres of the park.

Now the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is overseen by BLM, is considering a change in the rules to open La Madre and Rainbow Mountains to bolting.

The BLM is currently soliciting comment on the matter, and is holding a series of public workshops for climbers to express their opinions.  The comment period ends on November 18.  Officials say the new rules could be in place in early 2014.