Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall (16 m) freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park, near Moab in Grand County, Utah, United States.[1][2] The arch is the most widely recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on Utah license plates and a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of admission to the Union in 1996. The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch.[3]

Delicate Arch
View of the Delicate Arch at sunset, August 2005
Delicate Arch
Location in Utah
Delicate Arch
Location in Utah
LocationArches National Park, Utah, United States
Nearest cityMoab
Coordinates38.743517°N 109.499341°W / 38.743517; -109.499341[1]
Elevation4,606 ft (1,404 m)[1]
Dimensions52 ft (16 m) high[2]

History
Delicate Arch and adjacent large panhole at sunset, February 2011

Because of its distinctive shape, the arch was known as "the Chaps" and "the Schoolmarm's Bloomers" by local cowboys.[4] Many other names have been applied to this arch including "Bloomers Arch", "Marys Bloomers", "Old Maids Bloomers", "Pants Crotch", "Salt Wash Arch", and "School Marms Pants".[1] The arch was given its current name by Frank Beckwith, leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, who explored the area in the winter of 1933–1934. Although there is a rumor that the names of Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch were inadvertently exchanged due to a signage mixup by the National Park Service (NPS), this is false.[5]

This arch played no part in the original designation of the area as a national monument (Arches National Monument) in 1929, and was not included within the original boundaries; it was added when the monument was enlarged in 1938.

In the 1950s, the NPS investigated the possibility of applying a clear plastic coating to the arch to protect it from further erosion and eventual destruction. The idea was ultimately abandoned as impractical and contrary to NPS principles.[5]

Geology

Delicate Arch is formed of Entrada Sandstone.[6] The original sandstone fin was gradually worn away by weathering and erosion, leaving the arch. Other arches in the park were formed the same way but, due to placement and less dramatic shape, are not as famous.

Ecology

During the summer, white-throated swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) nest in the top of the arch.[7]

Controversy

Nature photographer Michael Fatali started a fire under the arch in September 2000 to demonstrate nighttime photography techniques to a group of amateur photographers. The fire discolored portions of the sandstone near the arch.[8] [9] Fatali was placed on probation and fined $10,900 in restitution to the NPS for the cost of cleanup efforts.[10]

In May 2006, climber Dean Potter performed as many as six free solo ascents of the arch. Climbing Delicate Arch was not explicitly forbidden under the rules in force at the time which only stated that routes "may be closed" on any named arch; however, most climbers accepted that the named arch formations should not be climbed. The NPS has since closed the loophole by disallowing climbs on any named arch within the park year-round. Slacklining and the placement of new fixed anchors on new climbs is also prohibited.[11]

Controversy ensued when photographs taken after Potter's climb appeared to show damage caused by a climbing technique called top roping. Potter stated on several occasions that he never damaged the arch, and no photos exist of Potter using a top rope setup on the arch. Previous climbers may have top-roped the arch, leaving the existing rope scars.[11] Potter did admit to using a counterweighted rope over the top of the arch, within a natural groove,[12] as well as four cams in a horizontal crack of harder rock at the summit. He used the rope and cams for protection while rehearsing his free solo route, and to rappel back down after the free solos. Two fellow climbers also ascended via fixed ropes, one of whom recorded video of Potter from the top.[11]

See also

Utah portal

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Delicate Arch
  2. Arches National Park: Geologic Resource Evaluation Report (PDF). nature.nps.gov (Report). National Park Service. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 Jan 2017. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019 – via Wayback Machine.
  3. "Olympic torch makes way into Utah for first time". Sports Illustrated. 4 Feb 2002. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 4 Jul 2012.
  4. Green, Stewart M. (2011). Best Easy Day Hikes Moab. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press. p. 84. ISBN 0762767839. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019.
  5. Hoffman, John F., Arches National Park
  6. "USGS - Delicate Arch\website=usgs.gov". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019 – via Wayback Machine.
  7. "Arches National Park: Here are six fun facts about Utah's famed Delicate Arch". Archived from the original on 8 Feb 2012. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019 – via Wayback Machine.
  8. Vigh, Michael (8 Dec 2001). "Fatali Pleads Guilty to All Charges". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019 – via photo.net.
  9. Welling, Angie (7 Dec 2001). "Photographer admits fire role". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019.
  10. "National Briefing: Rockies: Utah: Sentence For Burning Arch". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Associated Press. 2 Feb 2002. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019.
  11. Neville, Tim (1 Jun 2006). "How Delicate Was Dean?". outsideonline.com. Outside Integrated Media, LLC. Retrieved 10 Mar 2019.
  12. Patagonia and Dean Potter (June 8, 2006). "Official Statement from Patagonia and Dean Potter on the Delicate Arch Climb". outsideonline.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
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