Bolter Pleads Guilty in JTree

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FreeCoffee

Trad climber
Joshua Tree, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - May 2, 2014 - 04:50pm PT
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. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/fixed_anchors.htm

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. About 94% of JTNP is in the Wilderness.

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


zBrown

Ice climber
Brujo de la Playa
May 2, 2014 - 04:53pm PT
All this without one hint of the militia. Admirable.
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
May 2, 2014 - 04:58pm PT
So name them. It's a matter of public record.

How about we replace more of those old manky bolts

We? Out of curiosity, how many have you personally replaced this season?
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
May 2, 2014 - 05:18pm PT
It sounds like all three parties (NPS, the climber and the judge) reacted fairly and proportionately.

I sympathize with the climber for not knowing (and yes, I think he/she really didn't know).

But FreeCoffee does have a legitimate point: in Joshua Tree, in the modern age, would-be first ascentionists have to be be careful about how and where they're putting in routes.
FreeCoffee

Trad climber
Joshua Tree, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 2, 2014 - 05:28pm PT
"Out of curiosity, how many have you personally replaced this season?"

I'd have to ask KP, who keeps a proper log, but I'd guess I've helped replace around 30 bolts this season. How about you?
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
May 2, 2014 - 05:33pm PT
Seventeen.

Now who got popped?
FreeCoffee

Trad climber
Joshua Tree, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 2, 2014 - 05:36pm PT
I'm sure there are more people than just me who will appreciate the seventeen bolts you replaced. Thank you.
chill

climber
between the flat part and the blue wobbly thing
May 2, 2014 - 05:38pm PT

FreeCoffee

I'd guess I've helped replace around 30 bolts this season. How about you?



Elcapinyoazz

Seventeen


FreeCoffee wins pissing contest. Congrats.
overwatch

climber
May 2, 2014 - 05:38pm PT
Where did it occur, Saddle Rock? So the guy was arrested? Any more details? I am obviously not one of the "in the know".

Thanks for the bolt replacement
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
May 2, 2014 - 05:41pm PT

FreeCoffee wins pissing contest. Congrats.

The climbing public wins from the 47 bolts that they've replaced.
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
May 2, 2014 - 05:44pm PT
How 'bout you "Chill", how many have you replaced this year? Stainless fatties ain't free brah.
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
May 2, 2014 - 05:44pm PT

Pissing contest? Sounds to me like they're flirting.

Not so sure Dave. Elcapinyoazz has never struck me as the type to flirt.
chill

climber
between the flat part and the blue wobbly thing
May 2, 2014 - 05:49pm PT
How 'bout you "Chill", how many have you replaced? Stainless fatties ain't free brah.

I haven't replaced any. I drilled a few 1/4 inchers about 30 years ago and it made me tired.

I do appreciate the hard work of others.
mhay

climber
Bishop, CA
May 2, 2014 - 05:51pm PT
Thank you both for the bolt replacement. Now about those cracks that need some bolts....
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
May 2, 2014 - 05:56pm PT
He should have used a power drill and cut down on time to make a quick escape.
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
May 2, 2014 - 06:02pm PT

He should have used a power drill and cut down on time to make a quick escape.

Clink, no-one here knows who you are and they don't know that you're joking.

I know him (I admit it) and I can assure the Supertopo public that, while Clink does put in bolts, he does it ONLY on lead, and ONLY by hand (and for that matter, he only bolts from stance, not from hooks and the like). And he doesn't bolt in Joshua Tree.

Sh#t man, comments like that are going to cause an explosion of unneeded, unwanted indignity here. Be more careful.
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
May 2, 2014 - 06:10pm PT
Sh#t man, comments like that are going to cause an explosion of unneeded, unwanted indignity here. Be more careful.

Your right, wilderness power drill bolters should be buried with their drill on site. Deep enough to not end up as food for local wildlife.
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
May 2, 2014 - 06:18pm PT
Ron A, where have you been? Were you the bolter, incarcerated?.
Tried my best to keep things interesting during the interim.
Glad your back
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
May 2, 2014 - 06:36pm PT
Your right, wilderness power drill bolters should be buried with their drill on site. Deep enough to not end up as food for local wildlife.

Deep, sooo Deep.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
May 2, 2014 - 06:43pm PT
can totally appreciate the difficulty of knowing where a boundary is, especially in areas where maps conflict.

freecoffee, do you have an online map that can be posted to show the boundaries in JT, and how to go about permitting?

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