advocacy program

The vision of the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance is that Wasatch climbers will have ongoing access to well-managed and sustainable climbing areas. We are the climbers voice with land managers and owners to keep access open and serve as a stakeholder in land use planning processes.

Advocacy News

Save Little Cottonwood Canyon

The Utah Department of Transportation decided in 2023 to support an 8-mile gondola to alleviate congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

The process started five years ago, when UDOT announced an environmental impact study to determine what transportation options would be most efficient in the canyon. And in July — after many meetings, public comment periods and alternative discussions — the department announced its phased approach to introducing the gondola.

But it won’t be in operation until sometime between 2043-2050, according to a planning schedule from the Wasatch Front Regional Council. - Salt Lake Tribune

This constitutes the greatest threat to climbing in the Wasatch region in decades

Transportation infrastructure that physically and permanently alter the canyon should only be considered after less impactful options have been implemented and shown not to be effective.

Regional expanded electric bus and shuttle service coupled with tolling and other traffic mitigation strategies must be tried in earnest that include dispersed recreation transit needs before any permanent landscape changes are considered.

The gondola proposal…

  • Has unacceptable impacts on Little Cottonwood Canyon's iconic natural character and aesthetic 

  • Threatens the historic significance of the Lower LCC Climbing Area Historic District. This is a locally and nationally recognized site of early recreational climbing and bouldering that will be irreparably damaged. Decades of climbers have and continue to experience the solace, connectivity, and community of this historic district, which has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places by UDOT and is currently in the process of nomination.

  • Is designed to serve only ski resort users, ignoring dispersed use recreators and other year-round canyon users

  • Does not fix the traffic problem. The red snake will not disappear as single occupancy vehicles will still be allowed to drive to the resorts

  • Is fiscally irresponsible, and will cost over $1 billion

  • Is not an equitable solution and perpetuates environmental marginalization and injustice in the Wasatch Front