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Sandy • There comes a moment in many climbs when reconsideration of the planned route leads to a change of course.

The world's best climbers, advocates of the sport and some industry leaders have decided it's time to look for a different way to the top.

Indoor climbing gyms are increasingly becoming an alternative to traditional fitness facilities and climbing walls are showing up in offices, homes and playgrounds.

Growth can be a wonderful thing, but it can also lead to ethical issues within the climbing world and with other recreationalists.

Some of the most recognized climbers in the world gathered in Salt Lake City over the weekend to discuss how to prepare the incoming wave of climbers for the practical and ethical issues that have already emerged from the crush.

"This is about education through inspiration and utilizing our globally recognized athletes in the climbing community to help remind some and educate others how to properly take care of the environment and why it is important," said Jonathan Thesenga, global sports marketing manager for Salt Lake-based Black Diamond Equipment. "These athletes are highly invested and interested in seeing everyone care for them in the same manner they are currently."

The ROCK (Responsible Outdoor Climbing Knowledge) Project is a partnership between Black Diamond and the Access Fund (a national advocacy group for climbing). Salt Lake was the second of a six-city tour.

Athletes were joined by industry representatives, Forest Service officials and local climbing groups in round-table discussions Friday at the Momentum indoor climbing gym in Sandy to discuss ways to connect with climbers and explain the importance of protecting the sport and land they love.

"This is planting a seed for a new social norm," said Black Diamond athlete ambassador Joe Kinder. "We need to spark awareness and let the concerns for respecting and managing the land where we climb be known."

Kinder said he realized he made a mistake by not being more vocal about the ethical issues tied to the sport as he watched friends and other climbers do things he would never do. The New Hampshire native says the ROCK Project is an opportunity for all climbers to raise their voices. He also believes one of the most important efforts to be made is developing strong relationships with land managers on both national and local levels.

"We need to have them present in our discussions so they can see climbers care," Kinder said, "that we put the places we climb first and we want to maintain the beauty we see there."

Other ROCK Project events over the weekend included public presentations, athlete autograph sessions and climbing clinics.

The weekend, however, was not just for talking about ways to show love for rock climbing and the land. Professional climbers joined local climbing groups and Forest Service representatives in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Sunday to clean up graffiti in a popular climbing area.

"We are extremely grateful of the effort that has been initiated not just today, but many times in the past to do this stewardship work," said Cathy Kahlow, a district ranger with the U.S. Forest Service. "Some people respond disrespectfully, and it is unfortunate climbers have to clean up after people like that."

The area known as "The Pavilion" has become a magnet for vandalism and graffiti in recent years. The Forest Service, in partnership with the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, is working to increase patrols of the area with a goal of eventually removing the derelict pavilion building.

Julia Geisler, executive director of the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, said her organization holds a half-dozen events similar to Sunday's graffiti wash throughout the year at various sites.

She says having the Access Fund and Black Diamond working to unite climbers is much needed, much appreciated and coming at an important time. The growth in the sport has come at a time when many climbers don't have the same mentor possibilities Geisler had as a young climber.

"That mentorship light is gone in many cases, and with it the ability to teach people the ethics of climbing," Geisler said. "The ROCK Project is a new opportunity to create awareness. Climbers are a tribe and a strong community. ROCK gives us a chance to be a part of that community on a local and national level."

The Salt Lake Climbers Alliance has seen strong growth in recent years and is now close to 500 members. The growth has given the alliance a voice it hasn't had in the past.

"If we didn't have that membership base, we would not have a seat at the table in important planning processes like the Mountain Accord," Geisler said. "Our tribe is growing, and we are lucky to have industry leaders and national groups concerned with how those new climbers come into the sport."

Twitter: @BrettPrettyman