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Libbster
Jan 10, 2013, 2:09 PM
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Registered: Oct 16, 2012
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There was a discovery of some awesome boulders in Missouri. There are small spots of Lichen on some of the rocks. Should this lichen be avoided to prevent damage to the biology of the area. Or should it be scrubbed away?
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BillyCrook
Jan 10, 2013, 3:10 PM
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Missouri is a big place. Where in Missouri?
This Earth exists for man to enjoy. Unless you see a bunch of people visiting to admire the lichen, I'd say it's open season to lean that rock. Thanks for putting forth the effort.
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viciado
Jan 10, 2013, 3:53 PM
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BillyCrook wrote: Missouri is a big place. Where in Missouri? This Earth exists for man to enjoy. Unless you see a bunch of people visiting to admire the lichen, I'd say it's open season to lean that rock. Thanks for putting forth the effort.
I've heard of enhancing a climb's difficulty, but that might be taking it a bit far. 
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happiegrrrl
Jan 10, 2013, 4:49 PM
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Follow the local custom.
I have seen people wipe down every inch of beautifully many-thousands-of-years flora growth boulder before they even began trying to climb lines - once.
It was enough for me to realize that just being one of the best climbers in an area doesn't make the one of the brighter stars in the constellation....
If it doesn't need to be cleaned in order to do the line, why remove it?
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BillyCrook
Jan 10, 2013, 7:24 PM
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There are leaders, and there are followers. I think climbers are more the leader type, but I only know a few dozen personally. Define your local custom.
Would anyone think twice about removing gum? Leaves, snow, bird shit? lichen is a fancy word for land algae.
It must be super to 'be one of the best climbers in an area' if such cathartic epiphanies lower your sense of self worth below algae.
It seems entirely likely that it would ruin a project if every where you tried to stick, you gunked up your shoes with it. I'd personally try and find another boulder before I ruined a shirt or towel to clean it up, but the selection is slim in MO. If you want to talk about local customs in rural Missouri, get some meth addicts out there with wire brushes and bleach.
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happiegrrrl
Jan 10, 2013, 10:33 PM
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BillyCrook wrote: Define your local custom.
Every area which has a history of climbing has established customs as to how routes get put up. "My" local custom isn't relevant to the area the OP refers to.
If there truly has never been any history of climbing there, and the Op is the first, then - they get to develop an ethic. It would be great if they considered the various issues surrounding the development of a new area instead of taking a carte blanche attitude, of course.
In reply to: Would anyone think twice about removing gum? Leaves, snow, bird shit? lichen is a fancy word for land algae.
Umm...land algae - that's great. But what does that have to do with litter and naturally temporary things such as leaves and snow? As for bird shit - if there is enough bird shit on a climb to be considering it's removal - the chances are pretty good that a bit higher up on the rock is a nesting habitat. Removing the shit may seem like no big deal, but how would YOU like it if you had a home and one day the government came through with a new road that cut off most of your yard?
Lichen can actually be an important part in miscroscopic ecosystems. Lichen is a living organism, and a piece the size of a quarter may have taken 75 years to grow to that size.
In reply to: It seems entirely likely that it would ruin a project if every where you tried to stick, you gunked up your shoes with it.
That was why I suggested cleaning only what was necessary. Most boulder problems are pretty delicate, and not a feet-flailing experience.
In reply to: I'd personally try and find another boulder before I ruined a shirt or towel to clean it up
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Libbster
Jan 11, 2013, 12:25 AM
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Registered: Oct 16, 2012
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Bell Mountain
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sbaclimber
Jan 11, 2013, 10:20 AM
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Registered: Jan 22, 2004
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Libbster wrote: Bell Mountain
Otherwise, depending on what the ranger (and other recreational users of the area) considers "vegetation", you might get in trouble: http://prdp2fs.ess.usda.gov/.../stelprdb5123000.pdf
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