Little Cottonwood Canyon Historic Nomination Recognition

Salt Lake Climbers Alliance Celebrates Historic Nomination Recognition: A Milestone for Utah’s Climbing Community and Climbing History in the United States.

On September 25, 2024, the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance (SLCA) held an inspiring and momentous event celebrating its historic nomination recognition for Little Cottonwood Canyon. The event marked a significant achievement not only for the SLCA but also for the broader climbing community in Utah.

The nomination celebrates years of history being made in Utah’s iconic climbing landscapes, including the Wasatch Front and Little Cottonwood Canyon, which have become internationally recognized climbing destinations. The event, held at the Little Cottonwood Park and Ride, brought together climbers, conservationists, public land managers, and local leaders to honor this major accomplishment.

Highlights from the Event

The celebration featured speeches by key figures in the outdoor industry and local government. Mayor Jenny Wilson spoke on behalf of her father, Ted Wilson, one of the early First Ascensionists in the area and 3-time mayor, and how these canyons impacted her life growing up.

We also were able to hear from Tallie Casucci and Kirk Huffaker of Kirk Huffaker Preservation Strategies, who spoke on how the idea came about (it was thanks to John Flynn!) and how important it was to be able to work with UDOT and USFS to make this possible. Kirk also emphasized on how we aren’t done yet - we are working towards nominating Big Cottonwood Canyon in the hopeful near future!

Chris Merritt from the State Historic Preservation Officer for Utah came up and spoke on what this process looked like and what this recognition means.

We then ended the recognition talk with a few of the first ascensionists coming up and sharing their stories of these canyons and how they came to be the Alpenbock Club. We were so thankful to hear from legends like George Lowe, Bob Springmeyer, and Milt Hokanson. After those moving stories from the Alpenbock members, we held a walk through the Alpenbock Loop to show the community why this beautiful place was nominated.

The Impact of the Nomination

This nomination marks great history not only for the Wasatch - but for climbing in the United States. This nomination recognizes the importance of these precious areas, and helps us continue to show the importance and work towards protecting and preserving them.

Looking to the Future

As the event came to a close, the focus shifted toward the future. The SLCA is always working towards advocating, protecting, and stewarding for climbing in the Wasatch. We believe in the power of rock climbing to enrich lives. Keep an eye out on our website, social platforms, and emails on how you can get involved in future projects with the SLCA as we are always working towards a larger goal. With the continued support of climbers, conservationists, and local leaders, the SLCA is poised to further its impact on the outdoor recreation in the Wasatch while preserving Utah’s iconic landscapes for generations to come.

This article recaps the event and highlights the SLCA's contributions, its ongoing mission, and the future of Utah's outdoor recreation landscape.