The number of rock-climbing routes near Ottawa have been significantly scaled down after the National Capital Commission (NCC) released a new conservation plan that will limit climbing in Gatineau Park.
The Ecosystem Conservation Plan, introduced to protect wildlife in the area, will restrict climbers to only three or four cliff faces on the Eardley Escarpment, bringing down the number of climbing routes from about 500 to 40.
The escarpment was deemed a priority conservation area in the plan along with the Pink Lake Plateau because of its high sensitivity to erosion and rare plant species.
Rock climbing in the park has been under scrutiny since 2005, when the NCC threatened to ban it completely. Rock climbing enthusiasts spoke up and negotiated a temporary agreement to only ban climbing in more ecologically delicate areas.
However, now that the agreement has expired, the NCC has chosen to restrict the sport even further.
Backlash has been abundant from Ottawa rock climbers, as Gatineau Park hosts the closest cliffs to the city.
In addition to limitations on climbing, the Ecosystem Conservation Plan also proposes the closure of a hang-gliding site, the relocation of an equestrian path and attempts to monitor unofficial hiking and mountain biking trails more closely.