Dean Potter is ready to crawl under a rock.
Potter, a part-time Moab resident, inspired Arches National Park officials to rewrite the rules forbidding climbing of any “named” feature in the park after claiming the first ascent of the iconic Delicate Arch without ropes. And now Potter can’t seem to escape the ensuing criticism after the feat. This time, it’s his former friends at Outside magazine.
In a story titled “How Delicate Was Dean?” on the Outside Online website this week, writer Tim Neville alleges Potter employed ropes during his climb and might have scarred the sandstone formation.
In an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune last Friday, Potter said photographers accompanying him used ropes – but he denied allegations that rope scars on the sandstone formation were left by his party.
“I have climbed for 18 years and know how to climb rock in the most environmentally sensitive way,” he said when asked about the allegations. “We did have a rope up there, but we positioned it in a crack and the rope was padded with my jacket.”
On May 7 after his climb, Potter told The Tribune he was the first to make the ascent without ropes.
“I’m definitely the first person who’s ever free-climbed it,” he said at the time. “When I got up there, there was really no sign of anything, and I’ve found no record (of anyone else climbing it).”
But Friday, Potter said he has subsequently learned that two other men had said they climbed Delicate Arch. Any damage to the sandstone could have come from them, he said.
A National Park Service investigation is ongoing, according to Arches superintendent Laura Joss.
“We are taking this very seriously and are investigating all aspects of it,” she said. “Delicate Arch is a Utah icon, but is also revered by the whole country.”
Shortly after Potter’s ascent, Park Service officials strengthened regulations aimed at keeping climbers off all named arches in the park. The new rules have angered many in the climbing community, according to Outside.
Potter said that should be the issue.
“The National Park Service continues to limit environmentally minded user groups without talking to the public,” Potter said. “I do regret the negativity that surrounds this climb, but if it opens people’s eyes to the diminishing use of the parks, then the negativity will be worth it.”
