Impact of Site Decision Variables on Visitors' Choices of State and Federal Rock Climbing Areas

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the factors important to rock climbers when choosing to visit state or federally managed rock climbing areas. In comparing these sites, which factors differentiate site choices? Are these factors similar? Does travel cost, past climbing trips, site attributes/amenities, and years of climbing experience influence a climber's choice of visiting either a state or federal climbing site? If so what implications are identified for area managers? To answer these research questions, a nominal regression model was utilized which describes the relationships between a state and two national park units and those factors considered desirable by climbers when choosing the site. Importance variables grouped into eight separate categories were found to influence respondents' climbing area decisions. Significant differences existed between the three climbing sites on six site attributes/amenities: (1) number of available sport climbs (2) number of available top-rope climbs, (3) ease of access to climbing areas, (4) availability of camping, (5) regulations governing site use, and (6) the presence of park rangers. In addition differences were found between the three sites in regards to climber habit behavior with respect to climbing experience and frequency as well as associated travel cost. The use of a nominal regression model to identify decision variables important to climbers at state and federally managed sites was found to be a useful approach to supply managers with information about how climbers value certain climbing area aspects in their decision making process. Results suggest resource managers should focus on implications stemming from the six site attributes/amenities found to be significant in regards to climber habit behavior when making policy decisions.