by Bruce Weide, Hamilton
Michael Howell provided excellent coverage (Bitterroot Star: June 9, 2021) regarding the Bitterroot National Forest Service’s public meeting aimed at producing a climbing management plan. I’d like to add a couple of points.
Bitterroot National Forest wildlife biologist Dave Lockman pointed out that eagles monitored in 2014 and 2018 successfully fledged chicks in Mill Canyon with no adverse effect from climbing activity. He also indicated that, in the 30 years since peregrines were successfully reintroduced to the Bitterroot, climbing has not been shown to adversely affect them. This is in large part due to their resiliency and to climbers voluntarily observing climbing closures in nesting areas.
Climbers have a long history of respecting the needs of nesting raptors. Yosemite stands out as a prime example. Peregrines, raptors, wildlife, and the beauty of our public lands are all part of climbing experience and valued by western Montana climbers.