From peaks to places: The interplay of mountaineering, place identity, and place meaning in the Brazilian evolving wilderness recreation context

Recreation in wilderness-like areas can play a central role in promoting meaningful experiences in a protected area and connecting people to places. However, little attention has been given to the meanings recreationists attach to wilderness-like areas in Brazil, where recreation was incipient, or to the interplay between changing regulations and place meaning. This study exploresthe meanings mountaineers attach to wilderness-like areas at the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (SONP), Brazil. Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted two focus groups with mountaineers who visited wilderness-like areas of the park. Results indicate that place meanings emerged from a combination of social, environmental, and experiential aspects. Participants' identities and social relationships influenced their connection with place, motivations, and satisfaction with visits to SONP wilderness-like settings. Recreation experiences intertwined the park as a whole, its wilderness-like areas, and mountaineering creating a sense of continuity from the past and instilling pride and honor in their experiences. Potential changes in regulations, perceived as threats to access and "their" wilderness recreation, led to protective attitudes, further shaping place meanings. This study enables land managers at SONP and beyond to better understand the interests, needs, values, and symbolism of wilderness visitors, contributing to more effective decision-making about recreation policies. Management implications include the need for balancing the protection of wilderness character with equitable access. Participatory decision-making processes can co-create solutions that reflect shared values and maximize equity.