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Adirondack Rock Climbing Route Closures

Peregrine falcons, an endangered species in New York State, nest on cliffs in the Adirondack Mountains. The population of peregrine falcons has steadily grown since the DEC undertook hacking programs in the Adirondacks in the late 1970s.

Cliffs with known peregrine falcon nesting sites are monitored annually throughout the Adirondacks. Rock climbing routes with active nest sites are temporarily closed to prevent any disturbances that might interfere with the successful raising of the young peregrine falcons.

The closure of climbing routes is based on a number of factors, primarily the route's proximity and visibility to a nesting site. Each situation is unique and a specific distance from the nest site cannot be used to make a closure determination. DEC's priority is protecting an endangered species; however, attempts are made to maximize the opportunities for climbing at the same time.

At the beginning of the season DEC closes whole or large portions of cliffs where peregrine falcons have regularly nested. This allows them to choose a nesting site without any being troubled by climbing activity. They often choose a site quickly and begin nesting earlier, than when the cliff's were subject to climbing activities. Climbers benefit because an earlier nesting start results in an earlier fledging of the young and therefore the closed routes are re-opened sooner.

Rock Climbing Routes Status - July 17, 2020

Chapel Pond Area

Upper and Lower Washbowl Cliffs are OPEN, except for the following climbing routes which remain CLOSED:

8 - Northern Revival

9 - Third Time for Mrs. Robinson

10 - Weekend Warrior

11 - Hesitation

12 - Project

13 - Flashdance

14 - Overture

15 - Prelude

16 - Soup Kitchen

17 - Buffalo Soldier

Wilmington Notch Area

Moss Cliffs - OPEN

Notch Mountain is CLOSED, except for The Guides Wall which is OPEN and includes Summit Cliffs, The Slabs, The Roast, and Boast Slab.

Poke-O-Moonshine

Climbing routes are OPEN except for the climbing routes listed below which remain CLOSED. Additional climbing routes have been closed on Big Wall, Main Face, and North End (#108 - #118) due to agitated behavior by the nesting falcons when climbers were on these routes.

108 - Psalm 32

110 - Bloody Mary

111 - Casual Observer

112 - Gun Control

113 - Fastest Gun

114 - Shark Week

115 - The Cooler

116 - The Gathering

117 - Extreme Unction

118 - Resurrection

119 - Sailors Dive

120 - Calvary Hill

121 - Letting Go

122 - Messiah

123 - Foreplay

124 - Borderline

125 - It Don't Come Easy

126 - Puzzle Rue

127 - Mayflower

128 - The Rapture

129 - Pilgrim's Progress

130 - Snow Blue

131 - Morning Star

132 - Earthly Night

133 - Worse Than Real

134 - Neurosis

135 - Steptoe

136 - Ancient of Days

137 - Raptor Scream

138 - Free Swing

139 - Smear Campaign

140 - Royal Savage

Crane Mountain

All routes are open.

Shelving Rock

All routes are open. Sleeping Beauty Mountain

Potash Mountain

All routes are OPEN, use caution on the summit.

Routes that remain closed will reopen after the young have fledged. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information please contact the Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 623-1240.





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