Closed Climbing Photo

Object/Artifact

-

Yosemite Climbing Museum

The photo inside shows a sign that restricted climbing because of piton damage. The two areas that were closed were at Swan Slab and Serenity Crack. Both areas opened back up once clean climbing was popular.

The photo inside shows a sign that restricted climbing because of piton damage. The two areas that were closed were at Swan Slab and Serenity Crack. Both areas opened back up once clean climbing was popular.

Name/Title

Closed Climbing Photo

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.60

Description

Photo that was taken out of 1971 Ascent Magazine/Clean Climbing Pamphlet

Use

photo

Context

This photo depicts a sign that the National Park Service displayed in Yosemite. Many climbers were practicing their aid climbing with the use of pitons on the Swan Slab and Serenity Crack Route. Through repeated placements it was defacing the rock, especially with the hard steel pitons. This closure push-started the effort to preserve the rock for future generations, introducing clean climbing.

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Photo Print

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Photo was published in 1971 or 1972 Ascent Magazine, as well as in a popular Clean Climbing Pamphlet

Dimensions

Width

4-7/8 in

Length

4-1/8 in

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 10

Date

January 29, 2026

Web Links and URLs

https://vimeo.com/1165190029/1e105c43b1

General Notes

Note Type

Cataloging Note

Note

Caption in the museum is: "The photo inside shows a sign that restricted climbing because of piton damage. The two areas that were closed were at Swan Slab and Serenity Crack. Both areas opened back up once clean climbing was popular."

Create Date

January 29, 2026

Update Date

February 24, 2026