Category: Access
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MAC and Partners Continue to Advocate for Access at Harpers Ferry
Last week, Mid Atlantic Climbers and our partners at the Access Fund, American Alpine Club, and Outdoor Alliance DMV sent a letter to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park urging park management, with the involvement of the public and representative organizations, to explore additional solutions to a permanent parking closure at Maryland Heights that prioritize visitor…
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Speak Up: Harpers Ferry Proposes Permanent Parking Closure at Maryland Heights
This month, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park proposed to permanently close the Maryland Heights parking areas, citing safety issues from illegally parked cars along Sandy Hook Road at busy times when legal parking was full. These parking areas have been temporarily closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19 safety protocols. The public can submit comments…
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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…
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Catoctin Trail Plan is an Opportunity to Improve Access to Popular Boulders
Last year, Catoctin Mountain Park began developing a plan to enhance the Park’s trail system and visitor experiences, while balancing recreation with natural and cultural resource protection. Since 2016, when Catoctin Mountain Park restored bouldering access, Mid Atlantic Climbers has been working with National Park Service staff to steward climbing areas and improve the climbing…
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Access Update: Catoctin Mountain Park Bouldering
Since 2016 when Catoctin Mountain Park restored bouldering access, Mid Atlantic Climbers has been working with National Park Service staff to steward climbing areas and develop educational materials for the climbing community. In recent years, Park resource experts have expressed concerns about the impact of climbing on the sensitive natural resources the Park seeks to…
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Help shape the future of Harpers Ferry climbing
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, located on the border of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, is important to providing access to the outdoors for the DC metro region. It is a significant climbing resource in the mid-Atlantic, providing unique opportunities for multi-pitch traditional climbing, top roping, and bouldering. Mid Atlantic Climbers (MAC), Access Fund (AF),…
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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…
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Mid-Atlantic Climbing Community Provides Input on Upcoming Climbing Management Plan for Monongahela National Forest
This past summer, the U.S. Forest Service started to seek public input on an upcoming climbing management plan for the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The plan intends to cover management of some of the most outstanding trad and sport climbing opportunities in the…
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Volunteer for Graffiti Cleanups at Great Falls!
As many of you may be aware, Great Falls Park has seen a significant outbreak of graffiti vandalism this season. Thankfully, the National Park Service is partnering with the climbing community to support multiple small cleanup events throughout the fall…and we need volunteers! The NPS has agreed to facilitate volunteer cleanup events every week between…
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Your Voice Is Essential to the Future of Climbing at Seneca, Smoke Hole, Reed’s Creek, and Other Nearby Areas in the Monongahela National Forest
The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, contains some of the most outstanding trad and sport climbing opportunities in the mid-Atlantic region. The lands within the National Forest are publicly-managed, meaning that YOU have a say in the future of climbing at Seneca Rocks, Smoke…