Yosemite Valley boasts some of the best bouldering in Yosemite and the sport continues to grow in popularity every year.  With increased popularity comes increased impacts.

Here are some things you can do to help out:

• Take the time to find and follow established approach trails when hiking to bouldering areas.
• Never cut or break tree limbs, remove excessive lichen, or damage vegetation to establish a boulder problem.  Maybe some problems weren't meant to be climbed… and there are many more still left that don’t necessitate gardening.
• Keep bouldering areas clean.  Pick up your trash, even the little stuff (cigarette butts, tape, wrappers, etc.)
• Think twice before putting down the pads.  Bouldering pads protect our ankles but trash fragile plant life.  If the area looks fragile, maybe find an extra spotter and skip the pad.
• Do you really need to chalk up again?  Try to minimize chalk use and clean off chalked holds when possible, especially on overhung routes where rain doesn’t hit.  If you tick holds, clean the marks when you're done.