In reply to:
Perhaps we should think that the earth is our mother.
If you love your mother, think she's been nice to you, and deserves some love in return, you could show that you love her back. So, here are suggestions for some Mother's Day gifts.
How `bout...
...keeping areas clean? Offer to take out the trash for your mom. Pick up your trash and just one other piece of trash from each area you visit.
...protecting rock art? You wouldn't destroy your mom's art collection, would you? Or you wouldn't spray paint "Bucky loves Sue" on her dining room wall, would you?
...using a "no trace" ethic in your climbing area? Maybe your mom's guests don't like seeing colored slings and bolt hangers, chips and dents all over the walls of her house?
...carrying toilet paper out with you in a ziploc bag? Don't you think your mom would be pissed if she found .T.P. under the rocks in her garden? While we're at it, how 'bout "unloadin' your truck" a good ways from the cliff?
...asking other guests in your mom's house that you've witnessed littering to please pick up their trash? (especially if there's just one of them and you're with a group of football players, and you're positive they're unarmed).
...keeping climbing areas open? Do you think your mom would like it if she found you locking the doors on her guests?
In the long run, it comes down to this. There are several reasons why you don't want to trash an area:
-because you may get handed a ticket
-because it detracts from the visual enjoyment of others
-because you'll get an earful of grief.
Of course, there is one far greater reason to keep areas clean...
-because you love your mom.
