The climbing season will kick off soon in JTree, and this is an incredibly meaningful season in the history of climbing. Why? Well for one, JTNP has embarked on forming a Climbing Management Plan, the first time since the last millenium to address challenges, opportunities and management of climbing in the Park. CS21 will be an important touchpoint for the entire climbing community to interface with the Park staff, show our strength not only in numbers but in our commitment to stewarding public lands, preserving natural and cultural resources, and sharing our needs. Policy and procedures for managing climbing will resonate nationwide once Joshua Tree implements a Plan, since JTNP is one of the premier climbing parks in the World.

There is still time for you to be part of it! This year’s event will stage 100% in the Park for the first time in a few decades, and slots are 80% full already. We aren’t putting posters in gyms, or outwardly marketing this… we aren’t trying to pack the campgrounds with people! We ARE trying to have a safe, exciting and education + stewardship celebration of the climbing community in this legendary and sensitive high desert treasure.

REGISTER HERE https://climbsmart2020.eventbrite.com

Climbers transport rocks as part of the Climb Smart service project on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Joshua Tree National Park, Calif. The Climb Smart stewardship project, in partnership with the National Park, focuses on lining specific desired paths with rocks to discourage the creation of new use-paths in the heavily impacted area. (Photo by Suzanne Steiner)