T. Howard Duckett Climbing Closure
Photo by Alek Fredericksson.
It has been brought to our attention that WSSC Water, the land manager for T. Howard Duckett Reservoir (commonly known by climbers as Rocky Gorge) does not list climbing as a permitted form of recreation. There have been been several reported incidents between climbers and WSSC Water in which the land manager have asked them to leave. Climbing at T. Howard Duckett is currently prohibited.
What’s Next?
We are currently in the process of drafting a proposal that both educates WSSC Water on what rock climbing is and its risk, as well as how they could potentially manage it safely along with all their other forms of allowed recreation. Once this document has reached a mature enough state, we will meet with WSSC Water to go over this proposal and discuss next steps.
Latest Milestone
Mid Atlantic Climbers has made contact with WSSC Water and met to talk about the possibility of permitting bouldering on the property as well as their concerns with this form of recreation. The land manager has expressed a willingness to better understand rock climbing and how it might be permitted at the reservoir.
How Can I Help?
At this time, there is little opportunity for involvement until we meet with WSSC Water and discuss next steps. We are primarily going by Mountain Project for the list of established boulders at the reservoir. If you know if additional boulders we should be aware of, please contact us.
Additionally, please respect WSSC Water’s closure and do not climb at T. Howard Duckett until further notice.
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T. Howard Duckett Reservoir
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Alerts and Closures
- Climbing at T. Howard Duckett Reservoir is currently prohibited.