Cleaning Boulders

So i’m relatively a beginner as ive only been climbing for just under a year now, and im starting to get into finding new boulders to clean. I live in VA so there are a ton of boulders but covered in vines and various plant-life. Is it detrimental to the environment if I am to cut ivy and pull it off boulders? I know dead ones are ok but im talking about taking a machete to clear topouts. Any input/personal experience is welcome as I just want a relative idea of how I should go about cleaning when it comes to vegetation.

This sort of thing is pretty location-specific. You should talk to a developer in your area for specifics

I definitely agree you should educate yourself on the local ethic. Also, cleaning boulders isn't a science, any method that removes the material without harming the rock should suffice.

Some other things to consider before cleaning are:

1. Is the rock chossy? If so probably find some better rock.
2. What kind of rock is it? Wire brushes are really great for cleaning granite and other igneous rocks, but do terrible things to sandstone.
3. Is the line worth it? Lichens, mosses, and other "cliff dwelling" plants often are very old have extremely slow succession patterns that you will be disrupting when you scrub your climb clean. If your climb is a 1-star V2 that takes 50 minutes to hike to do you really need to destroy the plant community on that boulder that will probably never be climbed again?

Leave no trace!

Mark Frumkin wrote: Leave no trace!

I'm confused. Please explain which of the seven LNT principles applies to cleaning boulders.

I live in WA and the moss and foliage dies every year in the winter then comes back in force in the spring. So cleaning lichen and moss off the boulders never really bothered me.

I do, however draw my line somewhere. For example, I wouldn't cut down a tree to make room for a climb. But, maybe a branch? It's contextual.

On a different note, try not to scratch the rock with a brush that's too hard. I have seen people rip off big, lose, flaky parts of climbs to clean it up, but I don't know how I feel about that...

And as far as Leave No Trace! goes, I don't know if I agree. Rock climbing doesn't really follow this ideal very well... But a good goal to have in mind, for sure!

if it is ivy, it is most likely non-native English ivy. cutting down can benefit the environment.

Like Kyle, I don't get hung up on removing some moss or lichen and trimming branches.  I avoid cleaning off epiphyte plants on rocks.

Will provides some good advice and personal rules to abide by.

Check with the Central Appalachian Climbers Coalition for local developer opinions 

Agreed with everyone above: it depends on your local ethic AND the impact it will have on flora/fauna.  If something grows back when left unattended and isn't endangered / a critical habitat for endangered critters, it's probably ok to rip it all off.  Having an eye for this kind of thing takes time, and really depends on your awareness of the natural world around you.

Aggressive cleaning always looks bad if its on a trail that civil people use. 

Will O wrote:

I'm confused. Please explain which of the seven LNT principles applies to cleaning boulders.

I think if you just clean the route you’re using and do no damage to the rock or environment, the plants will grow back on their own, rinse and repeat

I was wondering the same thing myself, but the rock I'm trying to clean is quartz sandstone covered.  The area doesn't get a lot of traffic so it's covered in lichen.  I understand wire brushes are a big no-no, but I've yet to find a good answer as to what is an appropriate replacement.  I've contacted the person who developed the area way back when, but haven't gotten an answer.  

Some dense brush that's not made of metal should work great for working on sandstone. Something like a dense grout brush or a nylon brush could be good, but depending on the type of sandstone even that could be damaging.

Pick up some no-tool hose clamps from an auto parts or hardware store, and you can attach any brush you want onto an extension pole