ADDS DATE AND NAME OF PHOTOGRAPHER – In this photo taken by Vadim Kuklov and provided by the U.S. National Park Service, climbers camp on a big wall on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, Calif., on June 24, 2019. The park said Friday, May 7, 2021, it would require climbers to get permits if they spend the night while climbing the granite walls of El Capitan, Half Dome and other iconic granite features.
FILE – This Nov. 9, 2020, file photo shows a light dusting of snow covering Yosemite Valley following a weekend snowstorm in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The quest to climb El Capitan and the famous big walls of Yosemite National Park just got a bit harder. Yosemite National Park added some red tape on Friday, May 7, 2021, for climbers to cut through before they can begin the physically grueling, mentally demanding feat that takes several days as they inch up the vertical granite wall and sleep at night suspended on tiny platforms thousands of feet above Yosemite Valley.
FILE – This August 2011 file photo shows Half Dome and Yosemite Valley in a view from Glacier Point at Yosemite National Park, Calif. The quest to climb El Capitan and the famous big walls of Yosemite National Park just got a bit harder. Yosemite National Park added some red tape on Friday, May 7, 2021, for climbers to cut through before they can begin the physically grueling, mentally demanding feat that takes several days as they inch up the vertical granite wall and sleep at night suspended on tiny platforms thousands of feet above Yosemite Valley.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Climbing El Capitan and the famous big walls of Yosemite National Park got a bit harder Friday.
The park added red tape to cut through before climbers can begin the physically grueling and mentally demanding feat of inching up vertical granite walls that take days to conquer and require spending the night suspended on tiny platforms hundreds or thousands of feet above Yosemite Valley.
Climbers will need to secure free permits before they can attempt multiday climbs on El Cap, Half Dome, the Leaning Tower and other big climbs beginning May 21.
The long-rumored plan will inevitably cause grumbling in the mecca of American rock climbing and among a culture that embraces freedom. But it could help limit the number of climbers on classic routes that have become more crowded as the sport has grown exponentially in popularity.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of climbers whining and complaining because they were gifted this thing that they think is a right and it was really a privilege,” said Hans Florine, who with 170 ascents has climbed the 3,000-foot (914-meter) face of El Capitan more than anyone. “We were given incredible rag-tag Wild West privileges for the last 40 years in Yosemite. All they’re asking is to let us know you’re there.”
The two-year pilot program will put climbers on par with backpackers who have been required to get wilderness permits for decades to spend the night in protected backcountry areas of national parks and forests. Unlike hikers, though, the climbing permits will not at first be rationed on a quota basis that limits how many people can be on a designated route each day.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
