Arizona Watcher
Aaron Collins, a 49-year-old Iraq combat veteran and professional mountain guide from Mesa, spends his own time and money installing bolts and creating sport-climbing routes on public rock across central Arizona.
At Christopher Creek Collins prepared a quartzite crag, brushed lichen, set top anchors, then rappelled to chalk bolt positions and tapped the rock to detect solid stone before drilling and placing a straight line of nine bolts.
He uses a battery-powered drill for expansion bolts, selects bolt size by rock type, clears dust with a tube, seats hangers and hammers bolts flush — noting properly installed stainless bolts carry strength ratings far beyond forces from a fall.
Collins put up his first bolted line in his mid-20s, later joined the American Mountain Guides Association, and founded Arizona Mountain Guides in 2015. He balances guiding with family life and married fellow climber Sammy Leos at the canyon.
Bolting raises ethical and regulatory questions. The U.S. Forest Service limits bolts in designated wilderness and bans new bolting in some areas; Collins works on Tonto National Forest land outside wilderness boundaries and says he has not needed permission.
Developers leave cultural marks by naming first ascents; Collins names routes to honor fallen soldiers and personal ties. He also volunteers with bolt-replacement and safety projects and leads outdoor therapy programs for veterans.
Aaron Collins, a combat veteran and mountain guide from Mesa, spends his own money and time installing bolts and creating new sport-climbing routes on public rock in central Arizona. His work — from drilling and hammering to choosing lines and naming first ascents — helps shape…