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Climbing Utah’s Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch Utah feature
Photo from Mike van den Bos/Unsplash

Do not try this at home. In fact, don’t try this anywhere on one of Utah’s named arches since it is now against park rules to do so.

Delicate Arch is part of Arches National Park in Utah and is easily the most famous arch due to its depiction on state license plates. Formed from entrada sandstone, the arch stands 52 feet high.

In 2006, climber Dean Potter made a solo climb of the arch at a time when such actions weren’t expressly forbidden. Due to controversy over his climb and claims that it created advanced erosion, the parks service closed the loophole in the rules, making climbing of any named arch disallowed year-round.

For a moment, however, we can all relive this adrenaline-pumping climbs in one of the United States most picturesque national parks:

What are your thoughts: should climbers be allowed to climb natural structures, or should we act to preserve them for hikers and campers too?

Featured Image from Mike van den Bos/Unsplash