American Alpine Club - Philadelphia Chapter

TRAPPS CLOSURE UPDATE

From the

Trapps Cliff – no climbing between and including Laughing Man (5.11) to and including Bullfrog (5.12)

Trapps Cliff – no bouldering on the 50 Yard Line boulder

Please be respectful of the closure and stay tuned for more updates.

📷: Carl Mueller

The Mohonk Preserve has informed us of this season's Peregrine Falcon closure in the Trapps, in effect tomorrow, February 1st. Note the changes to the strategy - a wider closure to encourage nesting, followed by an adjustment once a nesting site has been chosen. Thank you for your cooperation and let's hope for a successful nest this year. Details from the Preserve below:

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2022 Peregrine Watch Season Update

We are reaching out to update you about some changes to our approach to Peregrine falcon conservation this year. After extensive research into Peregrine falcon conservation efforts nationwide, the Preserve is adopting a responsive management approach to our cliff closures, with a broader closure at the beginning of the breeding season to optimize successful nest site selection. Once a nest is established, we expect to adjust the closure based on the line-of-sight approach that we typically use in establishing the extent of our closures.

As of Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the Preserve will be implementing a temporary closure of climbing and bouldering at the Trapps Cliff as follows:

Climbing – The sections between and including Laughing Man (5.11) and Clunies Jollies (5.12)

Bouldering – The areas The Buddha, Nameless, Murray and Boxcar. This includes all problems from Atlas (V10) to Little Death (V10)​​

Please note that this year the Preserve will not be implementing climbing closures at Millbrook Ridge or Bonticou Crag. Peregrine Watch volunteers and staff will continue to monitor Peregrine falcon nest sites at all three cliffs.

As a reminder, Peregrine nesting season may possibly run through late summer. We will keep you updated as the season progresses and share our latest observations with you. We will also be posting regular updates to our website’s Peregrine Watch page.

For anyone interested in participating in our Peregrine Watch program, we are holding an orientation session on February 17 from 6-7:30 pm. Visit mohonkpreserve.org for more information on this and our other Volunteer opportunities.

We look forward to working together to enable a successful breeding season and help ensure the continued recovery of these remarkable raptors.