Patagonia pays $4K for violations in Utah park

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Outdoor clothing company Patagonia has agreed to pay a $4,000 settlement to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah after rock climbing policies were violated in the making of a catalog photograph.

The park says rangers discovered illegal climbing routes in the red rock park after seeing the photograph in a September 2011 Patagonia catalog.

Rangers found illegal climbing bolts were embedded in rock, and other rocks had been moved.

Patagonia spokesman Adam Fetcher says a freelance photographer shot the image, and the company has no relationship with the two individuals pictured climbing. Fetcher says the company is reviewing its policies.

Climbing is allowed in areas of the park, but climbers are not allowed to place new bolts or fixed hardware.

The Salt Lake Tribune first reported the settlement Monday.