Exploring Vertical Wilderness in the Acoustic Environment: Acoustic Experiences of Climbers on the Grand Teton

Abbott, Lauren; Taff, Derrick; Newman, Peter; Hopkins, Ian; Burson, Shan

Hearing sounds of nature is an important motivation for visitors to National Parks, such as Grand Teton National Park (GRTE; Newman et al. 2015). Furthermore, managers are required to provide park visitors with a high quality soundscape experience (NPS Soundscape Management Policy 4.9, NPS, 2006). In 2006, Pilcher and Newman conducted a study on visitor perceptions of soundscapes in highly trafficked locations in GRTE, including the Jenny Lake boat dock and Inspiration Point. While this study used similar methods, it aimed to better understand the influence of soundscapes to a unique and important visitor group -- climbers on the Grand Teton. This iconic climbing destination is located in an area that is potentially susceptible to anthropogenic or human-caused noise interruptions because of its proximity to an airport and heavily used highways. In the summer of 2015 researchers from Penn State University used a combination of qualitative interviews and listening exercises, methods that have been used in numerous other soundscape studies (Kariel, 1990; Marin et al., 2011; Pilcher, Newman & Manning, 2009; Taff et al., 2013), with climbers to identify sounds that were being heard during their climbing experience and their emotions related to those sounds. These data provide managers with information about the salient soundscape issues that could inform indicators that can be monitored and managed to preserve both resource and experiential aspects of the soundscape. Results: Phase One- Semi-Structured Qualitative Interviews Findings from the semi-structured qualitative interviews revealed important themes related to sounds heard on the Grand Teton, as well as other experiences associated with climbing on the Grand. Common themes that emerged related to the soundscape on the Grand Teton were soothing water sounds, and emotions related to aircraft and rock fall sounds. Eight of the 18 interviews mentioned hearing aircraft when asked generally about sounds they remembered hearing during their climb. Waterfalls, gear placement and avalanche are examples of sounds respondents enjoyed hearing the most. Rock fall, airplanes and wind are examples of sounds respondents enjoyed hearing the least. Themes that emerged related to other experiences on the Grand Teton included camaraderie wilderness experiences, and crowding. Results: Phase Two – Listening Exercise and Survey The listening exercise identified sounds heard by respondents and their evaluation of sounds. Results from the listening exercise (n=234) indicated that voices and walking sounds were the two most frequently heard manmade or anthropogenic sounds (76%). Climbing gear was the third most frequently heard anthropogenic sound as 54% of respondents indicated hearing it. Jet aircraft was the fourth most frequently heard anthropogenic sound. Almost half (41%) of respondents rated the sound as slightly unacceptable and annoying. Vehicle sounds were the fifth most frequently heard anthropogenic sound, with 40% of respondents rating it as slightly unacceptable and annoying. Additionally, the majority of respondents (63%) at the 3-Mile Junction site, located three miles from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead reported hearing vehicle sounds and rated them as neutral and slightly annoying. A majority of respondents heard wind (91%), wind rustling the trees (83%), water (79%), birdsong (77%), voices (76%), and walking (76%). The natural sounds were rated as acceptable and pleasing, while voices and walking were rated as acceptable but were interpreted as neither pleasing nor annoying. These results identify respondents’ positive evaluation of natural sounds. Results from the related survey indicated that 72% of respondents reported enjoying natural sounds as an important reason for climbing the Grand Teton. Being close to nature (95%) and being where things are natural (94%) were rated as the most important reasons for climbing the Grand Teton. On average respondents felt slightly to moderately crowded during their experience and the number of people they saw neither enhanced nor detracted from their climbing experience on the Grand Teton. The survey had an overall acceptance rate of 89%. The average age of respondents was 33 years old. The median group size was 3 people. The majority of respondents were male (79%). Most respondents were part of a private climbing party (72%), 23% were in a guided party, and 5% were climbing guides. Seventy percent of respondents were on overnight trips, meaning they spent at least one night out at a backcountry campsite.