Near Paicines in San Benito County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Climbing at Pinnacles National Monument
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 28, 2007
1. Climbing at Pinnacles National Monument Marker
Inscription.
Climbing at Pinnacles National Monument. . Pinnacles has seen the birth and growth of modern rock climbing over the past 80 years. The early accents of the rock spires, often done with basketball sneakers and braided hemp rope, were dangerous and intensely challenging. The crackless faces of loose, crumbly rock at Pinnacles required a non-traditional means of protecting climbers against a fall. Four climbers, including David Brower, who later became the first Director of the Sierra Club, established what is believed to be the first climbing route in the United States to use solely bolts for protection. These pioneers led the way for climbers today. Since those first ascents in 1933, climbing has become a popular sport that draws thousands to Pinnacles each year. The climbing community and National Park Service are working together to promote safe, responsible climbing. The climbers that visit Pinnacles today use low-impact techniques, setting the standard for balancing recreation and preservation. Just as we look at the historic first ascents at Pinnacles, future generations will look back at today’s climbers as pioneers of responsible climbing.
Pinnacles has seen the birth and growth of modern rock climbing over the past 80 years. The early accents of the rock spires, often done with basketball sneakers and braided hemp rope, were dangerous and intensely challenging. The crackless faces of loose, crumbly rock at Pinnacles required a non-traditional means of protecting climbers against a fall. Four climbers, including David Brower, who later became the first Director of the Sierra Club, established what is believed to be the first climbing route in the United States to use solely bolts for protection. These pioneers led the way for climbers today.
Since those first ascents in 1933, climbing has become a popular sport that draws thousands to Pinnacles each year. The climbing community and National Park Service are working together to promote safe, responsible climbing. The climbers that visit Pinnacles today use low-impact techniques, setting the standard for balancing recreation and preservation. Just as we look at the historic first ascents at Pinnacles, future generations will look back at today’s climbers as pioneers of responsible climbing.
Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location.
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36° 29.523′ N, 121° 12.596′ W. Marker is near Paicines, California, in San Benito County. Marker is on California Route 146. The marker is near the Chaparral Ranger Station at Pinnacles National Monument and the Juniper Canyon Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paicines CA 95043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.