Mount Fuji (Japanese icon and revered mountain), Mount Kailas (sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bons), Mount Olympus (home of the early Greek gods and goddesses), and many other mountains around the world have special significance that should give them a protective shield against damaging development. However, as spiritual and cultural values seem to erode in our increasingly Westernised, consumerised world, and short-term-profit development scenarios increasingly prevail, this metaphysical protection is proving to be insufficient. Consequently, it is increasingly important to reinforce the mantle of spiritual and cultural security by secular protection through formal designation as national parks, national monuments, or other kinds of strict protected areas. Moreover, those of outstanding international significance may well be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Natural/Cultural Sites, as was the case with Mount Tongariro in New Zealand. The sacred/profane conflict is well illustrated in the case of the San Francisco Peaks, located just north of Flagstaff, Arizona, in the United States.