Notice

I am working on the template of this blog today in order to chase down some problems that have developed with my template and widgets.

nullspace for future use

nullspace for future use

About

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Temporary Rock Cliff Closures to Protect Peregrine Falcons


Photo provided by the Forest Service. 

  The Forest Services in North Carolina is closing certain rock cliffs and rock faces during nesting season for Peregrine Falcons. Two locations in the Nantahala District (Macon and Jackson Counties) are impacted by this and are listed below. Below them are the rest of the locations in the state. 

 Pickens Nose (East Face) 
 All climbing routes on the East Face are closed. 

 Whiteside Mountain 
All climbing routes between and including Southwest Arete and Mainline are closed. 

DAY SPONSOR

Macon Media is being underwritten today by Franklin Health and Fitness, home of #ResultsForEveryone. Try FHF with a FREE 3-Day Guest Pass! To claim your pass, and to learn more about Franklin Health and Fitness, visit franklinhealthandfitness.com.




ASHEVILLE, NC (Jan. 26, 2023) ­­­— The U.S. Forest Service is closing several rock faces in western North Carolina to recreational activities, including rock climbing, to protect the rare peregrine falcons that nest there. This closure is effective through August 15, 2023. Peregrine falcons mate for life and return to the same site each year to nest. If the pair is disturbed, they will leave the site and may not nest again until the following year.

Activities that are prohibited to reduce disturbance to nesting and fledgling falcons includes rock climbing, rappelling, ice climbing, bouldering, hang gliding, and slacklining. Drone use on the rock faces themselves and flying drones in the vicinity of the rock faces and within posted areas is also prohibited. Overnight camping within posted areas is not allowed. Through-hiking on designated trails is permitted within the posted boundaries but hikers should not approach the rock faces listed in the table below.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) monitors nesting sites with the help of volunteers. In 2022 across western North Carolina, 14 sites were occupied by
peregrine falcon pairs and seven successfully reproduced with a total of 15 offspring. Two
additional sites were occupied by a single, unpaired bird.

To view the closure order and maps of closure areas Click Here
Avoid activities at the rock cliffs in the following areas when they are posted closed:

 
Site Name
Area Closed
Ranger District
Buzzard's RoostAll climbing routes are closed. No camping or foot traffic above the cliff.Appalachian Ranger District
Whiterock CliffAll climbing routes are closed.Appalachian Ranger District
Shortoff Mountain South (Linville Gorge)All climbing routes between and including C.O. and Paradigm Shift are closed.Grandfather Ranger District
Shortoff Mountain North (Linville Gorge)This is the unclimbed cliff that lies north of False Paradise. All climbing routes, cliff rim, and campsites within the red band marked on the map are closed to entry. No camping or foot traffic above or below the cliff in this section.Grandfather Ranger District
Bynum Bluff (Linville Gorge)All climbing routes are closed.Grandfather Ranger District
NC Wall, Apricot Buttress, the Camel (Linville Gorge)On NC Wall, all climbing routes between and including Tightrope and Bumblebee Buttress are closed. Apricot Buttress and the Camel are closed.Grandfather Ranger District
Big Lost Cove CliffsAll climbing routes are closed.Grandfather Ranger District
Pickens Nose (East Face)All climbing routes on the East Face are closed.Nantahala Ranger District
Whiteside MountainAll climbing routes between and including Southwest Arete and Mainline are closed.Nantahala Ranger District
Victory WallAll climbing routes are closed. No camping or foot traffic above or below cliff face.Pisgah Ranger District
Looking Glass Rock (North Face)All climbing routes to the right (as seen from the base of the rock) of Glass Menagerie and to the left of and including Twisted Laurel on the North Face of Looking Glass Rock are closed. No camping or foot traffic below the cliff in this section.Pisgah Ranger District
North Cedar Rock (Wall of Northern Aggression)All climbing routes between and including Groove Thang and Baynes Corner on the Wall of Northern Aggression are closed. No camping or foot traffic below the cliff in this section.Pisgah Ranger District



0 comments :