Wearing Down the Mountains

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"The impact is more immediate because there is a lot of activity at the base of the rocks," says Scott Fischer, climbing ranger at Joshua Tree National Park. He sees vegetation crushed by crash pads being dragged between sites, multiple trails created across the desert surface and an abundance of "micro trash"--climbing tape, bottle tops, cigarette butts.

The Access Fund, a national advocacy group for U.S. climbers, set up a bouldering campaign last year. It has donated money to clean up campsites and trails around popular bouldering sites, though some continue to be trashed. "We have a real challenge getting the message out to younger climbers," says Access official Shawn Tierney.

By the end of the afternoon in Camp 4, nobody has managed to get up Midnight Lightning. Hack heads back to his tent. "Yeah, climbing is an impact sport, but so is hiking or horse riding," he says. Of course, horses have no desire to conquer cliffs like El Capitan. Only humans do that.