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Fixed gear guidelines in the Grampians 1-Jun-2018 At 2:15:08 PM Poppy28

Message

On 15-May-2018 kieranl wrote:
>
>In the Grampians we have a number of frameworks to work within to decide
>how different cliffs and areas are managed. The first, often ignored in
>climbing circles, is the Grampians National Park Management Plan 2003 .
>
>Here are some relevant bits to work out what management applies to climbing
>areas. It's very broad-brush stuff but I don't think we can move anywhere
>without understanding this.
>
>Table 2 : Management Zones and Overlays, Page 18
>Figure 2: Management Zones Map, Page 79
>Appendix 2 : Special Protection Areas, Page 64
>

Just gonna follow up on this with quotes of lines relevant to climbers that haven't read it.

>Visitors’ activities, if not adequately managed, can have significant adverse impacts on the park’s natural, cultural and recreational values.
Some visitor activities that can have significant impacts are: · inappropriate use of equipment (e.g. climbing bolts)
A key approach is to encourage all visitors to adopt minimumimpact techniques and to adhere to codes of conduct appropriate to their activity.

>Aim · Allow rock climbing and abseiling in appropriate areas, consistent with the protection of park values.
>Management strategies · Permit rock climbing and abseiling in the park, excluding Reference Areas or other specified areas, in accordance with Parks Victoria’s operational policies.
>· In conjunction with the rock climbing community, consider, and as appropriate: encourage the use of minimal impact and clean climbing techniques;

PV want us, the climbing community to develop and promote our own codes and guidelines that align with with their values and principles. No code or guideline is ever going to be followed completely, but so long as the greater community support and promote it then we can show our joint commitment to minimal impact practices.

I personally don't want to see more sport climbing. But with the greater community in mind I can see how sport climbing can impact less if we have some regulation and cooperation.
I'd like to see some stipulation in a bolting policy to make any metal disguised/ camouflaged if possible. A disguised bolt is much less visible than a fixed sling imo.
Also to keep fixed gear away from well used tourist or walking tracks.