Spring is here, and with it comes another season of Adopt a Crags. We’re excited to have partnered with the South Central Pennsylvania Climbers at Governor Stable on March 30, and we’re looking forward to working at Annapolis Rocks for the first time.
In addition to these excellent events, we’ve been approved for some immediate work on the retaining wall at Carderock. Carderock is a popular climbing spot in the DC metro area and has a lot of climbing history. As it sits along the the Potomac River, it is subject to a constant threat of erosion. The southeastern side (known to some as the Hades Heights area) is especially vulnerable, and many years ago a retaining wall was built. However, this wall has begun to deteriorate recently, and efforts are needed to prevent the loss of the cliff base for many climbs.
MAC, the American Alpine Club (AAC), and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club – Mountaineering Section (PATC-MS) have been working together with the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park to find a solution in line with the park’s guidelines that will protect this area for years to come. Efforts are still ongoing for a long-term solution, but due to the immediate risk the park has approved some short term work to address this issue. We are monitoring water levels to determine when we can begin this project.
MAC has been working with the park and the climbing community as a whole to help take care of Carderock for over a decade. On June 1st, we’ll be hosting our annual Adopt a Crag there. Take a look at our upcoming events and consider helping us take care of the mid-Atlantic climbing areas we love.