New Lichen Species Discovered By Rock Climbers

A new lichen species has been discovered in Yosemite National Park and has been credited to a group of climbers helping to conduct a scientific study of the colorful lichen on Vernal Falls’ rock face.  Members of the American Alpine Club, a host of climbers from around the world, and officials from the National Park Service helped to conduct the study, which eventually lead to the discovery of the new lichen species.

From Rock and Ice magazine:

The AAC/NPS Lichen Inventory Project, which ran from September 1 to September 21, was a joint effort by the AAC and NPS to study and inventory the multicolored streaks of lichen that run down Yosemite’s famed cliff faces and waterfalls. Volunteer climbers like Carlos Buhler and Enga Lokey scaled the celebrity faces of El Capitan, Half Dome and Vernal Falls––in addition to other Yosemite sites––to scrape samples of the living organisms, which scientists on the ground analyzed.

Associated Press reporter Tracy Cone was onsite the day climbers ascended Vernal Falls. Her coverage of the project was taken up on the AP wire, where it then spread to major news outlets, including the International Herald Tribune. Discovery Channel Canada is also planning to feature the project on its “Daily Planet” television program. Media coverage of the venture is likely to help the NPS find funding for future projects, in addition to highlighting how stewardship projects like this can have a positive impact on the public view of the climbing community.

I am surprised that more scientific research and studies are not conducted in these areas by climbers.  They know where to go, and generally can get to those out of reach places that others can’t.  With all of the publicity surrounding this discovery, you can bet that more studies will be taking place in the future in Yosemite National Park.  This is some exciting news for both, the scientific community and the climbing world.  Who knows, some of them might even find a new passion for science.

If you are not familiar with lichens, perhaps you would enjoy reading up on the basic terminology and viewing a couple of nice photos.  Head over to the Ramblings Around Texas blog for a nice overview of what these things are and where to find them.  That’s some pretty cool stuff.

Yosemite’s Midnight Lightning

National Geographic: Adventure is currently running an amazing piece on Yosemite’s Midnight Lightning.  Midnight Lightning is thought to be the iconic place that helped jumpstart the sport of rock climbing. When Midnight Lightning was first climbed, it represented the hardest route in the world, and today it has become a cultural right for those that share the rock climbing passion.

Midnight Lightning may not be the hardest route in the world at this time (it rates at a V8 climb) but that doesn;t mean that it has lost it’s luster.  Most of the top pros have ascended this icon–including Lynn Hill, who in 1998 became the first woman to top out on the 40 foot granite wall.

National Geographic: Adventure’s feature takes a 360° look at Midnight Lightning.  First they give you some history of the boulder, then they follow it up with a guided tour by world climbing legend Tommy Caldwell.  If that isn’t enough, you can view a retrospective of over 500 different images of the boulder, put together by some new Microsoft technology called Photosynth.  Photosynth allows you to travel up and down the boulder, see the major holds, zoom in, out, and around every inch, and, if your a rock climber, you could even use this to scope out your next problem.  It is some pretty amazing technology.

On the other hand, if you are already one of the very few people that have topped out on this masterpiece of granite, you may be interested in discovering what other adventures Yosemite National Park has to offer.  National Geographic: Adventure has you covered there, as well.  Check out their Best of the Parks 2008: Yosemite feature to get some ideas for your next visit.