Rock Solid Steps: Partnership Results in Great Project in North Cascades National Park

Washington Trails Association recently partnered with Vertical World Climbing Gym, The Wilderness Society and North Cascades National Park to improve access to a popular climbing area just outside of Newhalem in North Cascades National Park.  This special Adopt-a-Crag event is developing quite a following.

Twenty volunteers, including six youth who are members of Vertical World’s Climbing Team, met in Newhalem on National Public Lands Day to move rocks and debris that had obliterated a trail in last winter’s weather madness.

Alan Carter-Mortimer, WTA Crew Leader, said of the event “I was really impressed with the amount of rock these kids moved and they built some rock solid steps.”  Not only did they move rock, they moved huge logs, re-established tread and installed those awesome rock steps. 

Vertical World Climbing Gym recruited families from their youth Climbing Team, and several of the families were repeat volunteers from previous Adopt-a-Crag events.  National Park Service staff was on hand to teach the families about the impact invasive plants have on the environment and to help pull Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum).  This plant, also known as Stinky Bob, has taken hold in this area and is pushing out native vegetation.  After all that hard work, the kids took some time to demonstrate their amazing climbing skills. 

WTA is excited to continue this partnership with hopes of future work parties for the Vertical World Climbing Team.  Several of the team members are already anticipating the day they earn their own green hard hats.  As Washington Trails Association grows and develops our youth programming, we’re reaching out to a variety of youth organizations to help get more kids outdoors and enjoying our trails. 

Stay tuned early next year for more information on WTA’s youth program “Steps into Wilderness.”