JT Bolter Pleads Guilty

As some of you already know, a climber was caught bolting in JTNP Wilderness in February 2014.

In JTNP Wilderness replacing bolts does not require a permit, but new bolts do. nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…

This climber did not have a permit and did not realize he was in designated wilderness. He established his route with a hand-drill from the ground up.

Since February, and and on his own accord, the climber pulled and patched his route.

Today, in court, he pleaded guilty to a Class B Misdemeanor. The max penalty could have been 6 months and / or $5000 fine. Instead, the judge went with the recommendation of the arresting officer and the fines amounted to $135.

The Wilderness boundaries in Joshua Tree National Park aren't always obvious. For example, the upper tiers of Saddle Rock are designated Wilderness while Walk on the Wild Side is considered non-wilderness. As climbers, especially climbers looking to establish new routes, it is your responsibility to know where these boundaries are and to acquire the proper permit before permanently altering the rock.

And on a side note, there are over 8,000 established routes already in the Park. How about we replace more of those old manky bolts and bring some routes back to life?

Bernadette Regan
JT Climbing Ranger

BRegan wrote:And on a side note, there are over 8,000 established routes already in the Park. How about we replace more of those old manky bolts and bring some routes back to life? Bernadette Regan JT Climbing Ranger

Ryan Watts wrote: So if I were to ADD bolts to an existing route, with a hand drill, I don't need a permit right? Because you know Double Cross....could use some bringing back to life....

Totally agree with Bernadette. There is enough 1/4" button heads out there to fill a dump truck. Please don't drift this into yet another double cross debate.

Cheers,

BRegan - thanks for the heads up! and going easy on the climber that had "no clue".