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James Canyon sport climbing

Original Post
Dillon Metcalfe · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 0

I have an opinion to share which might be unpopular. I hope it does not create enemies, but I feel strongly about this and so need to share my thoughts-
James Canyon is one of my favorite short day hikes around Flagstaff. I enjoy travelling through there to marvel at the colorful, sculpted sandstone, and the lush vegetation. I go there often to observe the change of seasons. I went through there a few days before this post and was dismayed to find one area marred by manky old fixed quickdraws, and chalked-up holds complete with tick marks.
I am an avid climber. I have no objection to crag development. In fact, and I am deeply appreciative of the efforts that Joel, Bloom, and others have put into the areas around Flagstaff to make the GNAR the climbing mecca that I love and enjoy. I am writing this to advocate restraint in the particular instance of James Canyon. Again, James Canyon is an area that I visit often, in part because of the pristine natural feel that is present there.
It makes me uncomfortable to write this post, because it brings into conflict two value systems that are important me: the love of climbing, and the love of wild places. I intend this post only to voice my own opinion as a partial owner of this piece of public land. I am not trolling for reactions, or hoping to incite a tired old discussion of sport vs. trad. Thanks for reading and hopefully considering my point of view.

Kevin Kent · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 1,526

I don't have strong feelings about this issue and I haven't been down James in over a year but for what it's worth I've talked to avid climbers who went down there a week or 2 ago and were keeping an eye out for the couple routes they knew were somewhere in there but never even saw them because they were too focused on the canyon!

Manny Rangel · · PAYSON · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 4,788

Good luck with erasing tick marks. Age old problem. It has gotten worse not better in the years that I've been climbing. Can't say I've never left my mark on a hold but it would be nice to remove the stripes on a crack or a hold that you just couldn't remember. But then it would be difficult to see the perfect holds you've been unable to use.

I find lost routes all the time, some of them worthy but not always. As was said before, they will end up someone's lost treasure.

I have made it a mission to visit certain spots I cherish and clean them up. Most folks get it after a short explanation and I hope not to offend those that don't. In the long run, it's been a futile exercise.

. · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 30

James canyon is far from remote, the canyon is a very popular day hike, it is very close to town and the climbing is very visible. Please be discrete and courteous to other user-groups. Draws left hanging for months on end is littering in my book.

K Weber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 15
Dillon Metcalfe wrote:I have an opinion to share which might be unpopular. I hope it does not create enemies, but I feel strongly about this and so need to share my thoughts- James Canyon is one of my favorite short day hikes around Flagstaff. I enjoy travelling through there to marvel at the colorful, sculpted sandstone, and the lush vegetation. I go there often to observe the change of seasons. I went through there a few days before this post and was dismayed to find one area marred by manky old fixed quickdraws, and chalked-up holds complete with tick marks. I am an avid climber. I have no objection to crag development. In fact, and I am deeply appreciative of the efforts that Joel, Bloom, and others have put into the areas around Flagstaff to make the GNAR the climbing mecca that I love and enjoy. I am writing this to advocate restraint in the particular instance of James Canyon. Again, James Canyon is an area that I visit often, in part because of the pristine natural feel that is present there. It makes me uncomfortable to write this post, because it brings into conflict two value systems that are important me: the love of climbing, and the love of wild places. I intend this post only to voice my own opinion as a partial owner of this piece of public land. I am not trolling for reactions, or hoping to incite a tired old discussion of sport vs. trad. Thanks for reading and hopefully considering my point of view.
Did you clean up that trash or just leave it like everyone else?
K Weber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 15

Would you like to rethink stealing "manky old fixed quickdraws"?

j mo · · n az · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 1,180

Oddly truncated list of local developers should at minimum include jj& Wade Darren Colin. I know it's not your point but when you climb at peaks higher and lower solitude waterfall volunteer hobo jungle don't forget the work $$$ and passion it took to create the routes you love

Paul Davidson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 607
Insta Graham wrote:Moved here 5 weeks ago from the front range.... just found some boulders that haven't been climbed...)
Bwaaaa ha ha ha
nice troll
Bill Lawry · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 1,812
Insta Graham wrote:why don't you climb them and clean them?
Can I have your girlfriend before you do?
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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