Section 352-32-085. Technical rock climbing.

(1) Whenever used in this section, technical rock climbing shall mean climbing while using such aids as pitons, carabiners or snap links, chalk, ropes, fixed or removable anchors, or other similar equipment. Technical rock climbing includes bouldering and free soloing (respectively low and high elevation climbing without ropes).

(2) Technical rock climbing will be allowed in state parks except it is:

(a) Not permitted in natural area preserves;

(b) Conditioned in heritage areas, natural areas and natural forest areas;

(c) Not permitted where the director or designee has closed the area pursuant to subsection (3) of this section;

(d) Limited in state park areas without climbing management plans pursuant to subsection (6) of this section to the use of routes with established fixed protection, new routes that do not use fixed protection, nor require gardening/cleaning with any type of cleaning tool;

(e) Not permitted in state park areas closed to public use.

(3) The director or designee may, permanently or for a specified period or periods of time, close any state park area to technical rock climbing if the director or designee concludes that a technical rock climbing closure is necessary for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public, park visitors or staff, or park resources. Prior to closing any park or park area to technical rock climbing, the director or designee shall hold a public meeting in the general area of the park or park area to be closed to technical rock climbing. Prior notice of the meeting shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area and at the park at least thirty days prior to the meeting. In the event that the director or designee determines that it is necessary to close a rock climbing area immediately to protect against an imminent and substantial threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public, park visitors or staff, or park resource, the director or designee may take emergency action to close a park area to rock climbing without first complying with the publication and hearing requirements of this subsection. Such emergency closure may be effective for only so long as is necessary for the director or designee to comply with the publication and hearing requirements of this subsection.

(4) The director or designee shall ensure that any park area closed to technical rock climbing pursuant to subsection (3) of this section is conspicuously posted as such at the entrance of said park area. Additionally, the director or designee shall maintain a list of all parks and park areas closed to technical rock climbing pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(5) The director or designee shall establish a committee of technical rock climbers, to advise park staff on park management issues related to technical rock climbing for each state park area where deemed necessary by the agency.

(6) Each state park area with an established advisory committee of technical rock climbers will have a climbing management plan which will specify technical rock climbing rules concerning overnight stays on climbing routes, bolting, power drills, stabilization of holds, group size and activities, gardening/cleaning of routes pursuant to chapter 352-28 WAC and RCW 79A.05.165, chalk, special use designations for climbing areas, protection of sensitive park resources, and other such issues required by the director or designee. Climbing management plans that relate to natural forest areas or heritage areas must be approved by the commission. The director or designee shall ensure that any technical rock climbing rules contained in a climbing management plan are conspicuously posted at the entrance of the affected park area.

(7) Bolting will be allowed as specified in climbing management plans.

(8) The use of power drills will be allowed only if the park climbing management plans specifically permit under specified conditions for bolt replacement and bolt installation on new routes. They are otherwise prohibited.

(9) The addition of holds onto the rock face by any means, including gluing, chipping, or bolting is prohibited.

(10) Except as provided in WAC 352-32-310, any violation of this section and rules contained in the park management plan and posted at the park is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW. WSR 07-03-121, § 352-32-085, filed 1/22/07, effective 2/22/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW, including RCW 79A.05.030, 79A.05.035, 79A.05.055, and 79A.05.070. WSR 00-13-070, § 352-32-085, filed 6/16/00, effective 7/17/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040. WSR 98-04-065, § 352-32-085, filed 2/2/98, effective 3/5/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.180. WSR 96-02-015, § 352-32-085, filed 12/21/95, effective 1/21/96.]

Chapter 79A.05 RCW. WSR 07-03-121, § 352-32-085, filed 1/22/07, effective 2/22/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW, including RCW 79A.05.030, 79A.05.035, 79A.05.055, and 79A.05.070. WSR 00-13-070, § 352-32-085, filed 6/16/00, effective 7/17/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040. WSR 98-04-065, § 352-32-085, filed 2/2/98, effective 3/5/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.180. WSR 96-02-015, § 352-32-085, filed 12/21/95, effective 1/21/96.

Rules

352-28,352-32-310,