Question 7.

David Brower, founder of the Sierra Club, recently passed away.

Brower, among other things, is credited with being the intellectual force behind the (U.S.) Wilderness Act of and campaigning succesfully to make it law. The Wilderness Act is considered by many conservation supporters to be one of the most enlightened laws ever created. It is the law under which some portions (not all) of U.S. Forest Service and B.L.M. lands are designated "Wilderness Areas" and protected from development.

Permanent structures, including fixed anchors and bolts, are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas. There is now a major dispute between the recreation and climbing industry (represented by the Access Fund) and public land managers regarding this so-called "Bolt Ban".

Brower is less well known for the fact that he drilled the first climbing protection bolt in America (during the first ascent of Shiprock). Below is this month's survey question:

If it came down to an unqualifiable choice between completely revoking the Wilderness Act, or completely banning all bolts in designated Wilderness Areas, which would you choose, and how would you defend your choice to David Brower if you met him in person?