From Deseret News archives:

Arch climb a selfish stunt

Published: Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:21 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
The National Park Service regulation is abundantly clear: "Climbing is prohibited on any arch identified on current USGS 7.5 minute topographical maps."

Delicate Arch is on the map. Thus it is off-limits.

But for some reason, Dean Potter, a world-class climber and ambassador for outdoor equipment company Patagonia, climbed the arch in the predawn hours of last Sunday. National park officials have since clarified the regulation prohibiting the climb and a review is under way to determine whether Potter damaged the famous landmark. There is a reason why the word "delicate" is part of the arch's name.

Potter's free climb appears the stuff of a publicity stunt. The climb was photographed and filmed, copies of which were distributed to the media.

Last fall, Potter and two companions strung ropes between the Three Gossips, another popular formation in Arches National Park. The group left their ropes tied to the tops of the formations for several days, which was brought to the attention of park rangers.

Story continues below
Many people use the national parks for recreation. That's all well and good. But the primary function of a national park is to protect natural resources so they can be enjoyed by all in this and future generations. Any recreational activity that compromises natural resources in these settings cannot be permitted.

This is particularly true in a place as breathtakingly beautiful as Arches National Park. The arches and other rock formations there were formed over thousands of years of exposure to wind, water and weather. They cannot be replaced. To scale these formations on a whim — or worse yet, a shameless publicity stunt — can compromise their structural integrity. Worse, it demonstrates a lack of respect for an arch that Utahns, if not most Americans, consider a natural wonder and a national treasure.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

House passes health care bill

CUBA VS. USA Stats for all countries available at the World Health...

E-mail illegally sent for Bridgewater

Do we really want people to simply say it was an oversight? Laws are created...

both of the head coaches are outstanding, easily the top five in the state...

The private school whining is typical. Ask Cottonwood about their baseball...

TCU in good hands with Dalton

Agreed 100%: Utah didn't win last year's game as much as TCU lost it. Had TCU...

Hall closing in on victory milestone

I am looking forward to watching Hall play a few more times. The last few...

Letters: Sex ed is Pandora's box

@yeah When my kids wanted to know, they asked. Then I told them. They also...

Elk Ridge eyeing late payments

Oh is that what that tiny trickle is coming out of my Tap when I turn it on?...

If he is a citizen, lock him up. If he isn't a citizen, deport him with the...

The kid kicks a sweet spiral. Amazing that the cougs can cover punts - they...

Advertisements
Advertisement