Boulderers in Rocky Mountain National Park

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK VISITOR STUDY OMB Control #:

Current Expiration Date:

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT34

1. How many years have you been bouldering? (write in number) _______

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT33

2. How many years have you been bouldering at Rocky Mountain National Park? (write in number) _________

TOPIC AREA 1: VISITHIS4

3. When was your first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park? (write in the month and year) Month: _________ Year: ________

 Don’t know/can’t remember

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT31

4. Approximately how many days a year do you boulder outside? (check one)

 <10 days/year

 11-20 days/year

 21-30 days/year

 31-40 days/year

 41-50 days/year

 >50 days/year

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT32

5. Approximately how many days a year do you boulder at Rocky Mountain National Park? (check one)

 <10 days/year

 11-20 days/year

 21-30 days/year

 31-40 days/year

 41-50 days/year

 >50 days/year

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT31

6. Approximately how many days a year do you boulder indoors in a gym? (check one)

 <10 days/year

 11-20 days/year

 21-30 days/year

 31-40 days/year

 41-50 days/year

 >50 days/year

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT31 (variation)

7. What category best describes your overall ability as a boulderer? (check one)

 Beginner

 Novice

 Intermediate

 Advanced

 Expert

TOPIC AREA 4: PREF (variation)

8. What type of climber are you predominately? (check one)

 Roped (Sport, Traditional, etc.)

 Un-roped (Boulderer)

TOPIC AREA 3: LEARN8 (variation)

9. Where did you learn to climb? (check one)

 Indoors at a rock gym

 Outdoors

TOPIC AREA 3: LEARN8 (variation)

10. Who taught you to climb? (check one)

 Family members (informally)	 Friends (informally)
 Climbing club (informally)	 Took a course from University/College (formal instruction)
 Took a course from outfitter/guide (formal instruction)	 Other: _______________________

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT23b

11. In general, regardless of season, weather, availability of climbing partners, where do you most prefer to boulder? (check one)

 Gyms

 Front country (road-side crags, easy/short approaches)

 Back country (i.e. remote areas, long approaches)

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT23b

12. Which bouldering area in Rocky Mountain National Park do you typically spend most of your time: (please check one box)

 Chaos Canyon

 Wild Basin

 Endo Valley

 Emerald Lake

 Elkland

 Other ___________

TOPIC AREA 3: ITIN7b

13. What specific bouldering problem did you spend the most time on today? (please write in your answer) _________________

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT5

14. When bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park, please indicate the level of APPROPRIATENESS of the following activities. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
Activities	Absolutely Inappropriate	Inappropriate	Slightly Inappropriate	Neutral	Slightly Appropriate	Appropriate	Absolutely Appropriate
Playing music through external speakers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Stashing crash pads near bouldering problems for later use	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Moving rocks, trees, or shrubs at the base of a boulder to develop a safer landing zone	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving tick marks when done bouldering	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Traveling off designated trails to access boulders	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Dropping food on the ground to provide wildlife a food source	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Scheduling a visit during times of high use	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Moving rocks, trees, or shrubs at the base of a boulder for better/easier access	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Placing gear and crash pads on vegetation (grasses, trees, shrubs, moss, etc.)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Keeping a single item like a rock, plant, stick, or feather as a souvenir	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Traveling side by side in a group on existing trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Removing/cleaning lichen, moss, or plants from a boulder to establish a new route	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Spreading out gear and crash pads to establish a “base-camp” while at the crag	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

TOPIC AREA 4: TpB1

15. Please indicate how EFFECTIVE the following activities would be at reducing negative impacts while bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
Participating in the following activities in Rocky Mountain National Park would reduce impact…	Never Effective	Rarely Effective	Occasionally Effective	Sometimes Effective	Frequently Effective	Usually Effective	Effective Every Time
Preparing for all types of weather, hazards, or emergencies before I get on the trail	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Scheduling a visit to avoid times of high use	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Staying on designated or established trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Walking single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Carrying out all litter, even crumbs, peels, or cores	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving all natural objects in the area, even small items like rocks, plants, sticks, or feathers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Avoiding approaching, feeding, or following wildlife	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Taking breaks away from the trail and other visitors	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Keeping the footprint of gear and crash pads to a minimum while at the crag	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Playing music at a level that only you, or your immediate group can hear it	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Carrying crash pads out of the park each time you exit	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving existing rocks, trees, or shrubs intact at the base of boulder problems	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Removing tick marks when done bouldering	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Staying on designated trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving existing lichen, moss, or plants intact at boulder problems	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Placing gear and crash pads on durable surfaces	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Depositing solid human waste in “cat holes”, away from water, bouldering areas, and trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

TOPIC AREA 4: TpB1

16. The same activities are listed below. Regardless of how effective you think each of the following activities are, please indicate how DIFFICULT you think each of the following activities would be for you to do while bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
Activities	Very Difficult	Moderately Difficult	Slightly Difficult	Neutral	Slightly Easy	Moderately Easy	Very Easy
Preparing for all types of weather, hazards, or emergencies before I get on the trail	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Scheduling a visit to avoid times of high use	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Staying on designated or established trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Walking single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Carrying out all litter, even crumbs, peels, or cores	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving all natural objects in the area, even small items like rocks, plants, sticks, or feathers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Avoiding approaching, feeding, or following wildlife	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Taking breaks away from the trail and other visitors	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Keeping the footprint of gear and crash pads to a minimum while at the crag.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Playing music at a level that only you, or your immediate group can hear it	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Carrying crash pads out of the park each time you exit	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving existing rocks, trees, or shrubs intact at the base of boulder problems	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Removing tick marks when done bouldering	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Staying on designated trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leaving existing lichen, moss, or plants intact at boulder problems	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Placing gear and crash pads on durable surfaces	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Depositing solid human waste in “cat holes”, away from water, bouldering areas, and trails	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

TOPIC AREA 4: TpB1

17. The same activities are listed below. In COLUMN A tell us if you DO each activity by circling NEVER, SOMETIMES, or ALWAYS. In COLUMN B, please indicate how likely you are to do the activity in the future. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
COLUMN A				COLUMN B How likely are you to do this in the future?
Activities	Do You Do This Now?			Extremely Unlikely	Unlikely	Somewhat Unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat Likely	Likely	Extremely Likely
Prepare for all types of weather, hazards, or emergencies before I get on the trail	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Schedule my visit to avoid times of high use	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Stay on designated or established trails	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Carry out all litter, even crumbs, peels, or cores	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leave all natural objects in the area, even small items like rocks, plants, sticks, or feathers	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Avoid approaching, feeding, or following wildlife	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Take breaks away from the trail and other visitors	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Keep footprint of gear and crash pads to a minimum while at the crag	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Play music at a level that only you, or your immediate group can hear it	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Carry crash pads out of the park each time you exit	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leave existing rocks, trees, or shrubs intact at the base of boulder problems	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Remove tick marks when done bouldering	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Stay on designated trails	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Leave existing lichen, moss, or plants intact at boulder problems	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Place gear and crash pads on durable surfaces	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Deposit solid human waste in “cat holes”, away from water, bouldering areas, and trails	Never	Sometimes	Always	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

TOPIC AREA 4: TpB3

18. Please indicate how strongly you DISAGREE or AGREE with the following statements. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
Activities	Strongly Disagree		Disagree		Somewhat Disagree		Neither Agree or Disagree		Somewhat Agree		Agree		Strongly Agree
Practicing “Leave No Trace” is time consuming		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
Practicing “Leave No Trace” limits my freedom in the outdoors		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
Practicing “Leave No Trace” protects the environment		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
It is important that all visitors practice “Leave No Trace”		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
It is important that park regulations require all visitors to practice “Leave No Trace”		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
I insist that “Leave No Trace” practices are followed by all members of my group		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
I practice “Leave No Trace” because the people I recreate with believe it is important		1		2		3	4	5		6		7
If informed that my actions in the Park damaged the environment, I would change my behavior		1		2		3	4	5		6		7

TOPIC AREA 1: LNT3

19. How would you describe your current level of knowledge of “Leave No Trace” practices? (please circle only one number)
No Knowledge	Very Limited	Limited	Average	Above Average	Extensive	Expert
0	1	2	3	4	5	6

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT7

20. How much of a problem do you think each of the following issues are at Rocky Mountain National Park. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
Activities	Not a Problem	Minor Problem	Moderate Problem	Major Problem	Don’t Know/No Opinion
Vegetation loss at the base of boulders	1	2	3	4	DK
Excessive chalk and tick marks on boulders	1	2	3	4	DK
Moving rocks, trees, or shrubs at the base of boulders to develop safer landing zones	1	2	3	4	DK
Hearing music being played through external speakers	1	2	3	4	DK
Stashing crash pads for later use	1	2	3	4	DK
The presence of human waste near trails or bouldering sites	1	2	3	4	DK
The presence of trash at bouldering sites	1	2	3	4	DK
Excessive social trails leading to bouldering sites	1	2	3	4	DK
Crowding at bouldering sites	1	2	3	4	DK
Park visitors stopping me to ask what my crash pad is used for	1	2	3	4	DK

TOPIC AREA 4: PA1

21. Please indicate how strongly you DISAGREE or AGREE with the following statements. (Circle the number of your response for each statement)
Activities	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Somewhat Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Somewhat Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree
Rocky Mountain National Park means a lot to me	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
I enjoy bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park more than any other place	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
I feel no commitment to Rocky Mountain National Park	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
I am very attached to Rocky Mountain National Park	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park is more important to me than bouldering in any other place	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
I identify strongly with Rocky Mountain National Park	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD3

22. How did the number of people you saw bouldering during your visit compare with what you expected? (check one)

 A lot less than what you expected

 A little less than what you expected

 About what you expected

 A little more than what you expected

 A lot more than what you expected

 You did not have any expectations

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD1

23. How crowded did you feel while bouldering at Rocky Mountain National Park today? (circle one number)
Not at all crowded	Slightly crowded	Moderately crowded	Very crowded	Extremely crowded
1	2	3	4	5

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWDATT11

24. How did the number of other boulderers you encountered affect your overall experience today? (circle one number)
Added greatly	Added somewhat	Had no effect	Detracted somewhat	Detracted greatly
1	2	3	4	5

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWDATT8

25. Did you move to a different crag/boulder based on the number of people you encountered? (check one)

 Yes  No

TOPIC AREA 1: GEND1

26. What is your gender? (check one)

 Male  Female

TOPIC AREA 1: AGE3

27. What is your age? (please write in number)

TOPIC AREA 1: RES3

28. Do you live in the United States? (check one and fill in)

 Yes – What is your zip code?

 No – In what country do you live?

TOPIC AREA 1: ED1

29. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (check one)

 Some high school	 Some college, business, or trade school	 Some graduate school
 High school diploma/ GED	 College, business, or trade school graduate	 Master’s, doctoral, or professional degree

TOPIC AREA 1: RACE/ETH2

30. Are you Hispanic or Latino(a)? (check one)

 Yes  No

TOPIC AREA 1: RACE/ETH5

31. Which of these categories best indicates your race? (check one or more)

 Native American or Alaska Native	 Asian	 Black or African American
 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	 White

TOPIC AREA 1: EVALSERV2

32. What did you like LEAST about your bouldering experience in Rocky Mountain National Park today?

TOPIC AREA 1: EVALSERV3

33. What did you like MOST about your bouldering experience in Rocky Mountain National Park today?

Rocky Mountain National Park and Pennsylvania State University thank you for your assistance.

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