Roger Robinson - Denali National Park’s Clean Climb Program

Denali National Park and Preserve Clean Climb Program

Education, Climber Management, Removal of Waste: An Historical Overview

Early management policies 1950-60’s ： safety and proper equipment are the main concern

Early Impacts 1940-60’s ： Equipment abandoned, all garbage and waste left behind

Abandoned Garbage

Burned Garbage Human Waste

Early grassroots efforts 1970’s ：Burn and pack out garbage

Voluntary compliance 1970’s ： Private groups conduct clean-up efforts

Pit Latrines were recommended

Deep holes dug for portable toilets weresuperior to pit latrines

Environmental shift to Leave No Trace (LNT) and Clean Climbing 1980’s

Increasing education 1980-90’s ： Park expands environmental practices and mountaineering rangers

Volunteerism plays a significant role 1980-present ： Three mountaineer volunteers for every ranger, volunteers provide safety and resource protection

Keeping the costs down: Limited budgets enhance volunteerism and creative thinking

5,200 meter high camp toilet using removable bags

Development of new strategies and technologies 2000-present ：Garbage and fuel cans are checked upon return,

Biodegradable bags required for human waste that is crevassed, remove human waste through development of Clean Mountain Can, invention of packable disposable toilet bags for shorter trips

Clean Mountain Cansare now required in certain locations

Clean Mountain Cans are required at high campColey Gentzel image

Clean Mountain Cans are the responsibility of each climber. They are transported with the climbers by aircraft.

Climbers return used CMC’s in

biodegradable bags. Strict cleaning requirements

mandated before reissue.

Climber acceptance and stewardship 1980-present ：Americans are among the first to understand and accept good environmental practices, many younger climbers today want nothing left behind

Moving toward general public education and worldwide climber acceptance of sound environmental practices