The Teton Climbers’ Coalition recently announced its Climbing Area Modernization (CAM) Project, an effort to monitor, inspect and replace aging climbing hardware at climbing areas throughout the Jackson Hole area to ensure a safe climbing experience for this and future generations.
Alerted of the project, the American Safe Climbing Association has provided the TCC with state-of-the-art equipment that can be used for the project’s first phase at Blacktail Butte.
The contributions align with the ASCA’s “Lower-Off Initiative,” the goal of which is to equip popular cragging anchors with durable lower-off hardware that lessens the chances for accidents.
As evidenced by the reports compiled annually in Accidents in North American Climbing, belay miscommunication and error at the top of single-pitch routes is one of the leading causes of climbing accidents and fatalities.
“Durable lower-off hardware at the anchors solves this problem by allowing fast, efficient, and safe descent without having to untie or retie the lead line,” the ASCA states. “The ability to clip and lower to descend and clean a route greatly increases the safety margin for all climbers, preventing climbers from going off belay and preventing mistakes from happening while at the anchor.”
As part of its donation, the ASCA provided a dozen lower-off anchors and 100 glue-in bolts to the CAM Project, and will resupply more as needed. Additionally, they are supplying the TCC with drill bits, brushes and blowers, all of which will be used to assist with the project.
“We’re excited to work with a national leader in crag safety as part of our CAM Project,” said TCC Board Member Garrick Hart. “The ASCA’s goals align with ours: to keep Teton climbers safe on sport climbs throughout the Jackson Hole area.”
Those interested in supporting the CAM Project may make donations to the TCC via Old Bill’s Fun Run. Please click here to donate now.