2+ Week Notice for Climbing Advisories: In Effect on January 22nd

[Gavin]

Hey Gang -

I just wanted to give folks notice that the Climbing Advisories will be in effect again on January 22nd, the day after MLK Day. Note that this is the latest the advisories have ever been put into effect... I'll keep an eye on the cliff-nesting falcons and other raptors to see if the late date interferes too much with their needs in setting up nesting territories.

Advisory closures should follow last year's closures pretty closely, but let me know if you have any specific questions. Thanks!

[mungeclimber]

thx Gavin!

[Atomizer]

I imagine that The Hand will intially be closed?

[JC w KC redux]

Advisory closures should follow last year's closures pretty closely, but let me know if you have any specific questions.

nice profile pic birdman!
many hikers condor watching yesterday near Scout Peak.

[Gavin]

I imagine that The Hand will intially be closed?

Nope, The Hand and Frog will initially be open, as will other climbs in the area (such as Piedras Bonitas, Neglected Valley, and Gargoyle). Though those areas have historical falcon nest sites, no falcons have been confirmed using them in the past 5 years, so I try to leave them open unless falcons take up residence there again. A red-tailed hawk pair has nested at The Hand for the past several years, but does not seem discouraged by climber presence earlier in the season.

[F4?]

Is that a chicken hawk?

[Gavin]

nice profile pic birdman!
many hikers condor watching yesterday near Scout Peak.

Thanks JC! The pic is from a photo of a New Zealand Falcon I took while I was on a working vacation on the North Island at the end of last year... The head coloration is pretty similar to that of prairie falcons at Pinnacles.

Yeah, winter is a good time for viewing condors... They do seem to stick around the park and roost in the High Peaks more at this time of year.