The debate between environmental groups and rock climbers has been a long roller coaster ride of ups and downs for each side. Little by little the two opponents are beginning to adapt together for the benefit of everyone. Rock climbers want to conquer natures vertical obstacles, but sometimes this leads to mistreatment of the rock faces and the organisms that live on or around the cliffs. The environmental groups want to preserve the beauty of these sheer rock faces along with the ecosystem around the rock cliffs.
Many climbers are very environmentally conscious and practice minimum impact climbing.
The problem is not deciding which side is right or wrong, it is the limited communication between the opposition that leads to confusion and misunderstanding. Climbers and the parties involved in environmental protection need to open a channel between them for communication so that policies can be developed that both sides can be happy with. The placement of bolts on climbing routes defaces the nature of the rock, and in all but a few places is unnecessary. Many organizations involved with the climbers interests in mind agree with this idea and feel that bolt placement must be regulated. Communication between climbers and environmental policy makers has been very limited in the past.