Rock Climbing
For climbers that prefer real rock to rock walls, it’s not just about the climb. It’s about the amazing desert habitat, stunning views and thrilling challenge of a natural slab.

Recreational climbing is another way for you to enjoy your Preserve. While usage is limited to specific areas, there are several good rock climbing areas in the Preserve. Because this is such a specialized sport, please contact the Arizona Mountaineering Club for information about climbing in the Preserve. They can give you the best, up-to-date information. Visit their website at: www.amcaz.org
From the Mountain Lines, Vol 14 (6)

The Contribution of Climbers
By Erik Filsinger and Paul Diefenderfer

Most of us have heard the expression “Leave No Trace.”  What you may not know is that the movement to protect public lands in their natural and unspoiled condition has its roots within the climbing and mountaineering community. 

Paul Petzoldt, founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), was instrumental in creating the Leave No Trace movement. As a climber, mountaineer and back-country guide, he watched the major increase in recreational use of public lands from the 1960’s through the 1980’s and its associated impact on the health of these natural areas.  He set out to create a set of ‘best practices’ to guide the use of natural land in the hopes of preserving the beauty and pristine nature of wild lands for future generations.  This, in part, led him to found NOLS as a way to develop skilled outdoor leaders who could also communicate respect for the land.                                                                                                                              

It was no surprise when in 1994, the United State Forest Service tapped Paul to help develop a national educational program that formalized his best practices for wilderness travel.  The Leave No Trace concept was integrated into programs from the Boy Scouts to the for-profit outdoor adventure companies.  And, as always, it remained a mainstay of the climber and mountaineer educational programs.

The Arizona Mountaineers Club (AMC) rock climbing classes teach novice and expert climbers alike to follow the Leave No Trace ethic.  In the Preserve, the climbing community often assists MSC by picking up trash at rock formations and along to trails.  Representatives from AMC are also working with the Preservation Commission to plan trails to climbing locations in order to reduce the impact of people blazing new trails to reach desirable areas.  Finally, AMC members help monitor that Preserve by alerting MSC when they encounter damaged or other issues that need our attention.

Leave No Trace – 7 Principles for Wilderness Travel

Plan and Prepare
Know the conditions of your destination. Pack in what you’ll need.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Good trails and campsites are found not made.

Properly Dispose of Waste
Pack it in = Pack it out

Leave Nature Her Treasures
Pack out only what you pack in

Minimize Campfires
Fires are not allowed in the Preserve

Respect Wildlife and Treat as Precious
You are a guest in their home.  Be a welcome one.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Leave the city and its noises behind

Join The Team

If you love the Preserve and are spending time in it, why not become a Steward? One key role Stewards serve is patrolling the Preserve, looking for problems and letting us know about them. Mountaineers can see more than foot patrollers on the trails and can therefore, provide vital information. Think about joining this team. You are already in the Preserve – why not help care for it? You will only need to take a 2 day training class. Contact us at volunteer@mcdowellsonoran.org or call 480-998-7971 x 105 today.