Rebolt the Compound: Week 2 of 2: 2023

October 09/23 - 13/23

Maple Canyon

Recap by Anchor Maintenance Coordinator, Andrew Brodhead

The Compound

October is a special time for climbers, including us climbers here in the Wasatch. The fall colors are peeping, temperatures are perfect for sending those unfinished projects and new bolts! The anchors crew made its last visit to Maple Canyon during October 9th - 13th. While there, the crew was able to finish rebolting the Compound. Nearly every bolt at the Compound was rebolted or inspected by the SLCA’s anchor maintenance crew.

During out last day at The Compound, representatives from the Manti-La Sal National Forest came out to check out the program. This type of partnership with land managers and local climbing organizations (LCO) is key to successfully keeping access open, updating old hardware and working on climbing infrastructure such as trails and parking areas.

A visit with the Forest Service - The Compound

This 1.5 week project went extremely well given the complex terrain and intricate rope work needed in such demanding terrain. Overall, the crew replaced 199 bolts and maintained 48 bolts. Thank you to everyone who donated to this project. These donations help keep this program moving forward. Also thank you to the individuals who participated in supplying the area with fixed draws and offering their insight on bolt locations. Without this community engagement, projects like this would not be successful.

Oxygen Wall

After finishing up The Compound and battling some wet snowy weather, we went to the Oxygen Wall in Right Fork. While we were there, we replaced all the lead bolts and anchors for the classic Key Lime Sky (5.8) and Lungshot (5.9). Lungshot is a perfect example of our Observation Form at work. When the community helps guide the anchors program to bad bolts, we can help improve the areas that YOU like to climb at.

While at Oxygen Wall, we replaced all the anchors and maintained all lead bolts for the routes to the left of Lungshot. In total we replaced 30 bolts and maintained 36 bolts at the Oxygen Wall

Rock climbing is an inherently dangerous activity and we encourage anyone who participates to obtain the appropriate education and training in order to minimize accidents.  We also encourage participants to consult resources including but not limited to guiding outfitters, SAR, Utah Avalanche Center, ranger stations, and weather reports. Nevertheless and although tragic, accidents can happen even when the participants have the proper training and have consulted authorities on conditions. Participants in outdoor climbing are assuming a risk, just as they do in skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, or other outdoor activities. Anchors once maintained by the SLCA are not guaranteed to be in the same state or condition as when they were maintained.