Author: Edwin Bachetti

  • Shenandoah Park Implements Old Rag Ticketing Pilot Program

    In August of 2021, Shenandoah National Park released a proposal to make several changes for visitors: 1) Increase the campground nightly fee from $15-20 to $30, 2) Begin charging a fee for backcountry camping, and 3) Establish a pilot program for Old Rag visitor access.   In January, the park officially announced the final details of…

  • Bolts at Alberton Rock Raise Safety Concerns

    Three sets of bolt anchors have appeared at the top of the wall at Alberton Rock. Upon investigation, concerns about the placement of several of these bolts were discovered, with one set judged to be at significant risk of failure. Due to this high risk, the hangers have been removed from all bolts in order…

  • Chopped Bolts At Friction Wall Replaced

    At Patapsco Valley State Park, new anchor bolts have been added to Friction Wall’s main attraction, “The Truth” aka “40 Weight”. A typical vertical anchor setup using 2 bolts and chain fit well into the limited space. Normal practice is to use the heavy duty rap ring for rappelling only. Please use your own carabiners…

  • Chopped Bolts at Friction Wall Raise Concerns

    Recently, a MAC crag steward discovered that the anchor bolts atop The Truth, a popular route at Friction Wall in Patapsco Valley State Park, had been chopped. We don’t know who did this or why, but a pair of holes near the anchor suggests that perhaps someone was interested in replacing these bolts and for…

  • Another Season Of Stewardship – Spring 2019

    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…

  • Access Alert: Temporary Closure at Great Falls

    Earlier this year, we were alerted to temporary climbing access changes at Great Falls National Park.  As can be seen from their Facebook post, the park is working to stabilize and preserve Lock 2 of the Patowmack Canal and had closed the majority of the River Trail, thereby effectively closing the bulk of the climbing…

  • Mid Atlantic Climbers and Access Fund respond to lack of public engagement in regards to climbing closures at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

    On Friday, February 8, Mid Atlantic Climbers (MAC) and Access Fund (AF) sent a letter to express our disappointment in the continued lack of public engagement in regards to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s June 2017 Superintendent’s Compendium, Section 13 that lists rock climbing access closures and restrictions*. The letter also reiterated our request to lift the closures of…

  • Rockfest 2015 Postponed

    Friends and Volunteers, Morgantown, WV is expecting severe rainfall and thunderstorms this weekend, which will prevent us from doing the service projects and stewardship activities we’ve planned. We’ve made the tough call to postpone Rockfest 2015 to a later date this spring or early fall. We’ll announce the revised date soon. We appreciate your understanding…

  • MAC and Access Fund Conservation Team come to Sugarloaf Mountain

    Hot off the heels of a hugely successful Rockfest, MAC volunteers were back at it; this time at Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Maryland. For many who have climbed or hiked there, it’s pretty obvious that the Green Trail leading to the summit is in desperate need of some love.  Sections have eroded so badly that the…

  • The Effect of Government Shutdown on Climbing

    We’re starting the second week of the government shutdown, with no resolution in sight.  Approximately 800,000 civilian employees are furloughed.  The effects are being felt across the nation in many aspects of life.  All of our national parks have been closed, the park website shut down, until the matter has been resolved. In a show…