Who put grease on boulders at popular Moab climbing area? BLM, climbers want to know

Federal land managers say they're investigating a puzzling case of who put mechanical grease over handholds on three boulders at Large Bend Bouldering Space in Moab.

Bureau of Land Managment

Federal land managers say they're investigating a puzzling case of who put mechanical grease over elements of boulders in a well-liked climbing space in southeastern Utah.

The Bureau of Land Administration stated Thursday it's investigating the invention of greased handholds discovered on boulders within the Large Bend Bouldering Space in Moab. The world is situated east of Arches Nationwide Park close to the Colorado River and state Route 128.

The invention was first reported on a Moab climbing Fb web page on Feb. 11, in response to the Moab Solar Information. It was reported to the BLM, whereas information of the incident shortly unfold by means of the mountaineering group.

The BLM didn't launch many particulars concerning the incident. Nevertheless, the climbing group Buddies of Indian Creek posted on Sunday that elements of Black Field, Chaos and Punisher boulders within the space have been impacted by the vandalism. They suggested climbers to keep away from all of the affected areas till cleanup could be accomplished.

"We do not but know the long-term results of mechanical grease on the porous sandstone and what — if any — further steps ought to be taken to take away the residue," the publish reads, partially. "Additional, cleansing efforts contain copious use of water and that might briefly have an effect on the integrity of the sandstone holds."

View this publish on Instagram

A publish shared by Steph Davis (@highsteph)

Climber Steph Davis posted a video from the scene to Instagram over the weekend, calling it "very unusual." Within the publish, she wrote that she hopes the individual behind the incident is "apprehended and closely fined" for probably damaging the pure marvel.

As hypothesis grew shortly about who put grease on the rocks and why, the Buddies of Indian Creek additionally requested for folks to make use of "a bit of restraint in the meanwhile" and concentrate on the cleanup first. A board member of Buddies of Indian Creek, instructed the Moab Solar Information on Thursday that the group is working with others to seek out "nonobtrusive methods of cleansing" off the vandalized areas.

A BLM spokesperson didn't say if the federal company believes the grease is damaging to the rocks. Anybody with details about the case is inspired to contact the Bureau of Land Administration at 435-259-2131.