The Best Intentions… Recently, approximately 500 feet of new trail was built between two small cliffs at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park without proper authorization by the National Park Service. While the trail builders likely had the best intentions – wanting to improve access between Balcony and Balcony Jr. and some of the nearby boulders- […]
The Best Intentions… Read More »
2016 was another banner year for climbing access in the mid-Atlantic region. Thanks to the support of Mid Atlantic Climbers members and volunteers, last year we continued to expand our community of climbing stewards and build relationships with local land managers in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. MAC volunteers put in 816 hours of
Looking Ahead to Another Year of Climbing Stewardship Read More »
An Historic Park Harpers Ferry National Historic Park sits at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and at the borders of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. In addition to its importance in American history, the park is home to beautiful natural resources and recreation opportunities. Visitors who come to learn the town’s role in the
Access Fund and MAC meet with Harpers Ferry NPS Read More »
Update 11/20/16: Friction Wall is open thanks to the efforts of climbers and the park. Original Post: On July 31st, Ellicott City was devastated by a severe flash flood. Patapsco State Park has closed the Avalon Section of the park until further notice due to unsafe conditions (including sewage leaks) and to allow the park staff
Ellicott City Flood Affects Climbing at Patapsco State Park Read More »
Thurmont, MD. June 22, 2016. As the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of our National Park Service, Mid Atlantic Climbers and Access Fund applaud Catoctin Mountain Park for restoring bouldering access, allowing the mid-Atlantic climbing community a chance to discover one of the national parks in their own backyard. “In 2014, Mid Atlantic Climbers contacted
Effective March 1st, 2016 A temporary and partial closure is in effect for Maryland Heights to protect nesting peregrine falcons. All climbing routes on the Gully, the Sign Wall and the ABC Ramps are closed. A portion of the top of the cliff above these walls (accessible by hikers) is also closed to visitors. This temporary
Harpers Ferry/Maryland Heights Peregrine Falcon Closure 2016 Read More »
As reported last February, comments to the Catoctin Mountain Park Superintendent’s Compendium by Mid Atlantic Climbers and the Access Fund resulted in the beginning of a dialogue with park staff about the future of bouldering access. Since 2012, bouldering in the park has been effectively disallowed, as park rules have confined all climbing to only
Catoctin Mountain Park Access Update Read More »
On Saturday, November 14th, Mid Atlantic Climbers swarmed the boulders at Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park in Silver Spring, MD. More than 40 volunteers came out for a morning of trail work, graffiti removal, trash clean-up, and even the hard work of invasive species removal. After all the work was completed, volunteers enjoyed pizza, some
An Epic Fall Season Caps off a Year of Stewardship Read More »
On May 9, volunteers at the Park at Governor Dick, a popular diabase bouldering area in central Pennsylvania, built a new trail to the Beautiful Day Boulders. Previously, there was no obvious path to these two sets of boulders, resulting in climbers bushwhacking at various spots in the forest. The new trail will direct climber
New trail at Mt. Gretna/Park at Governor Dick will help minimize climber impacts Read More »
Heads up! Due to a winter full of freezes and thaws, there has been significant rockfall at the Mary’s Rock tunnel on Skyline Drive. Shenandoah National Park will be closing Skyline Drive between mile marker 31.7 and 33 to perform maintenance at the tunnel. The park will begin work on May 4th and estimates the closure will
Skyline Drive Temporary Closure Read More »
