ST. GEORGE – The Southern Utah Climbing Alliance was in full workout Saturday morning when it hosted a cleanup of a local bouldering area known to climbers as “Garth” or “Garth Rocks.”
The area, which rests neatly to the south of Washington Fields, was sorely in need of a cleanup but not from use by climbers. Years of deliberate work by some thoughtless citizens in Washington County has left thousands of pounds of rotten furniture, broken glass, and vehicle tires spread over the area in what appears to be a concerted effort to not care.
The Southern Utah Climbing Alliance is no newcomer to hosting cleanups like the one Saturday at Garth.
On Feb. 23, the organization will host the fourth annual Moe’s Valley Maintenance and bouldering competition with support from Access Fund Adopt a Crag, as well as local sponsors, The Desert Rat and The Spot Bouldering Gym.
“We want to do our part to keep the areas as clean as possible,” Tyler Webb of SUCA said, “and leave them for future generations to enjoy.”
Webb also said the climbing community has fostered an important relationship with Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration to use the land for the climbing areas.
SITLA owns the land where both Moe’s and Garth sit and allows the community to access it for recreational uses.
The climbing community in Southern Utah is doing its part to foster good “leave no trace” principles and good stewardship of the land.
The competition on February 23 will start at 9 a.m. and run until dark. A 10K race and a bouldering competition will take place in addition to the clean up, with awards and bonfire at day’s end.
(event recap and resources follow photo gallery below)
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The Southern Utah Climbing Alliance dedicates their Satuday morning to cleaning up years worth of trash at a bouldering area known to rock climbers as "Garth Rocks" south of Washington Fields, St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2013 | Photo by Greta Hyland, St. George News
Tyler Webb and Chris Healy of the Southern Utah Climbing Alliance hoist a couch to the trailer on a Satuday morning dedicated to cleaning up a bouldering area known to rock climbers as "Garth," south of Washington Fields. St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2013 | Photo by Greta Hyland, St. George News
Event recap and resources for Moe’s Valley Maintenance
What: Moe’s Valley Maintenance
When: Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to dark
Where: Moe’s Valley, southwest of Tonaquint Intermediate School, St. George. See Map.
Facebook for Moe’s Valley group
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @dallashyland
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
