I am extremely happy to see…

I am extremely happy to see a proper framework for climbing in a provincial park. I absolutely agree that areas, trails, and climbing routes should be subject to closure based on environmental impact. A day use fee is warranted, especially if it goes towards increased parking, washrooms, and trail maintenance to prevent friction with locals and the environment.

Two notes about the appendix, the term "free climbing" is used where it seems to be the intent of the addition to prevent "free solo climbing". Unfortunately there is no real consistency or system to how different styles of climbing were named. Free climbing refers to climbing with your hands and feet touching the rock, which is what most people imagine when they think of rock climbing, and what the appendix and updates to the management plan seem to be referring to and allowing within approved areas. Free solo climbing is climbing without any rope or protection. I agree that free solo climbing should not be allowed in parks.

The other note is on the part of the appendix that states no rock shall be moved, altered, dislogged, or chipped. Again, I agree with what I imagine the intent is, that climbers should not alter the cliff for their own convenience, but geological time includes the present, and sections of the cliff are constantly weathering due to the freeze thaw cycle of the seasons. Loose and crumbling rock that is likely to come out or off of the cliff on its own should be proactively removed before it falls off any potentially injures or kills, and I believe that an exception should be added for altering the rock for safety.

I believe climbers have a special relationship and responsibility with the parks and areas they climb at, because of how often they go there and their goals in being there. As climbers will revisit the same cliff many times as they try a climb, they will be one of the first to notice trash and other undesired and avoidable human impacts. Because they are repeat users, they have an interest in keeping the area in the state that made them want to visit in the first place. Climbers are also uniquely positioned as a group and with certain skills to perform cleanups of hard to reach steep areas, as done in Hamilton and other climbing areas around the world.

I think the proposed amendment (minus the two small issues in the appendix) is a great change in the right direction to support a wide range of users in Ontario's unique parks while protecting what makes them special.