U.S. Cancels Climbing Ban on Indians’ Sacred Rock

Bowing to protests from angry athletes, the U.S. Forest Service has canceled a ban on climbing at Cave Rock in Lake Tahoe, Nev.

The Forest Service had ordered climbers to stay off the rock in deference to the Washoe Indians, who consider it sacred. But rock climbers threatened to sue, arguing that the government cannot make rules that promote any particular religious beliefs.

In lifting the ban, acting Forest Supervisor Juan Palma ordered climbers to refrain from pounding new bolts into the rock. They will be allowed to use the 300 bolts that now anchor more than 30 routes up the steep cliff.

The Forest Service will consult with the climbers, the Washoe and others over the next few months in the hopes of drafting a long-term plan for managing Cave Rock.