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MOAB — Federal land managers are now offering a $1,000 reward for information that might help them crack a bizarre land vandalism case at a popular rock climbing site in southeastern Utah.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced the reward Wednesday as it continues to investigate who might have put petroleum-based grease all over the handholds of three boulders in the Big Bend Bouldering Area, which is on public land about 10 miles north of Moab. So far, there have been no major leads in the case since it was reported to the agency on Feb. 14.
Nicollee Gaddis-Wyatt, the bureau's Moab field manager, said in a statement Wednesday that agency employees are out and about on public lands daily, maintaining trails, engaging with people recreating on BLM land, and cleaning bathrooms; however, they aren't able to see everything that happens on the vast landscape.
"It is up to each of us to help keep public lands safe and clean for future generations," she said. "When incidents occur, we appreciate the public's help in reporting information to the BLM's law enforcement team."
Anyone who might have information about the situation is encouraged to call 435-259-2131.
The Big Bend Bouldering Area isn't just north of Moab, it's located on the other side of the Colorado River and state Route 128 from Arches National Park. It's been a popular area for rock climbers for over two decades because it offers boulders of varying difficulties.
Climbers visiting the site found the grease on Feb. 11 and reported it to the federal agency three days later. The incident has since made the rounds within the climbing community, with some dubbing it "GreaseGate." Friends of Indian Creek, a nonprofit climbing organization that first posted about the case after it was discovered, wrote in an update Monday that the boulder cleanup efforts were "going well."
"The locals are proceeding judiciously and employing the simplest methods possible and avoiding using any non-biodegradable, non-water-soluble solvents," the organization wrote on Facebook.
They urge people to continue to avoid the affected areas until further notice.
BLM officials add it's also an area popular for people who camp, hike, raft, look for wildlife or enjoy a scenic drive.
