Wet Sandstone Jerks- Garden of the Gods

While walking around Garden of the Gods on Saturday with a bunch of family from out of town, it was saddening to see sevaral parties climbing since it had been raining there every day for at least four days. The very next day when the dirt was still visibly wet on the ground, folks were still climbing right in front of the signs that say not to climb if it is wet. Even worse, a local guiding company was guiding people. I mentinoed in passing to a few parties that they shouldn't be on the rocks and the implications and they didn't really care. What would you have done?

Please tell me it wasn't the Colorado Climbing Company.

Nope David, it wasn't. Didn't have any trips scheduled there and when it rains we move to Cheyenne Canyon or reschedule. Not sure why that would be your first thought. Anyone local knows who it probably was.

Micah, it's tough because generally suggesting someone is doing something wrong brings in the ego and obviously some people just prefer to act like dicks.

So how do you let someone know they're doing something wrong without making them defensive? I try to explain what I would of done in the hopes that in the future they think about what they're doing. Actual evidence is always helpful. For example Silver Spoon used to be easier before someone pulled off the big hold by the third bolt. West Point Crack and Credibility Gap have both had big holds pulled off.

Maybe expressing that their selfish actions may mean they get hurt. They may prevent other climbers from enjoying that climb and just because it looks dry doesn't mean it is.

It is hard to believe a guiding company who knows the garden and makes their living there, would risk so much in safety and preservation to make a buck.

The Garden may not be up to some climbers standards, but it is great to some of us. And it's good to see people still care.