cleaning loose rock

What are thoughts on removing loose rock on established climbs? Example baseball size rock on ledges one may encounter. At what point am I policing too aggressively and altering the experience too much for others?

As a starter, you might be policing too aggressively when you toss said baseball size rock onto somebody's head.

Agreed. Dropping rock or any dense item of any size on others should be discouraged. Still it is possible to envision a scenario in which rock could be sent down without hitting anyone.

Cleaning loose rocks is great fun, and the reason many people go rock climbing in the first place. Just make sure that there's nobody around, even if your deep in the back country you could hurt somebody. Remember the NOLS instructor who was killed when a hiker threw a rock off the top of the wall in the wind river range? He was at leg lake, I hiked back there last summer and couldn't believe that had happened, that place if fucking way out there! Even in the most remote location you should be very aware of whats below you. As long as you're not using a chisel or pry bar you're probably not altering the experience of others beyond what would happen with routine traffic, besides, those baseball sized rocks can kill. That being said, death blocks should be cleaned even if you need a bar.

If rock is loose and has the potential of someday dislodging and falling to the ground; safely remove it and chuck it in a safe direction where nobody is at. Much better than ignoring it till it falls without warning and possibly hits someone on the ground.

When area developers trundle rock responsibly they have people above, below, up trail, and down trail, all with radios, in constant communication, to make sure that no errant hikers, climbers, and tourists wander into the impact zone and die.

Please be equally responsible.

Jon H wrote:When area developers trundle rock responsibly they have people above, below, up trail, and down trail, all with radios, in constant communication, to make sure that no errant hikers, climbers, and tourists wander into the impact zone and die. Please be equally responsible.

Laf - radios? and other people? are you serious? Roooooooockkkk! I usually tie my dog up so she doesn't get squashed, but its best to develop when no one else is around