Climbing, Access Issues and Conservation

While climbing is getting more and more popular, at the same time, and yes, there is a causal relation, the problems either catalyzed or at least fuelled by climbers and their behavior are increasing as well. Recently I have been told about access troubles in Gorges du Tarn and will be most probably affected since I´m heading there in about three weeks. There is the ever ongoing clash between climbers and farmers, the increasing problem of littered parking lots, fireplaces show up in meadows and it all bears witness to the impact human beings leave when indulging in spending their leisure time in nature.
Let´s be frank foremost, there is no such thing as "leaving no trace", at least in a strict sense of the word. A footprint in Siberian snow can be visible for years, an example that might be a tad exaggerative but in the end is relevant inasmuch as it showcases that whenever we step into an untouched place, we render it. Travelling in America, I was struck by how well managed access issues are by the access fund. In Europe, things are unfortunately a bit different.
Five consequtive trips to Frankenjura this year have all brought home the following: people in general don´t give a damn, sleep everywhere since that is the cheapest option, don´t give something back to the local community but rather live on crackers, tuna outta the can and home bought beer while at the same time using facilities provided. Add that the majority of climbers is a notoriously lazy bunch and you have parking issues, trespassing problems and soon a vicious circle of ego and identity politics at play.
So what does it boil down to? A consumerist attitude. Recently I had to take part in a multi pitch workshop and in the evening, a lively discussion began as to how bolts should be spaced outside with the suggestion coming up that some sort of board should be installed, taking care of business, that is, making sure that bolts are placed according to rules comparable to the ones applied when planning a climbing gym. Excuse me, no! If you can´t deal with things, stay inside. Nature is not a leisure time facility, it´s foremost nature. Instead of demanding more and more (how´s about Latte Macciatos sold at popular crags instead of bringing your thermos) it´s high time to more aggressively promote the idea of leaving as little a trace as possible. And yes, that means getting a foot into the door at times. People need to be told off! If all the gym kids and wannabes, rambling on about going "a muerte" outdoors just because they´ve seen some climbing flick are not brought to sense, then we´ll all face closed or at least horribly littered crags. Interested in that? Go figure...
All we need is simple common sense applied. That is of course better said than done, take a look at the general state of the planet and again, go figure, but we have to start at some point soon.
Out!