Every spring, the state Department of Environmental Conservation closes routes on popular rock-climbing cliffs where peregrine falcons are known to nest. Once it’s determined exactly where the falcons are nesting, some routes are reopened. Recently, DEC biologist Joe Racette said it has been confirmed that falcons are nesting on the Nose on Poke-o-Moonshine Mountain. As a result, fifty-four climbing routes in the vicinity will remain closed. But more than two hundred other routes on Poke-O will be open to climbers starting tomorrow (Thursday, April 28).
Racette said all routes on Moss Cliff in Wilmington Notch and the Upper and Lower Washbowl Cliffs near Chapel Pond will remain closed until further notice.
Click here to read a story that appeared in the Explorer about climbing Catharsis, a popular route on Poke-O Slab.
Following is a list of the closed routes on Poke-O. The numbers are the numbers of the routes found in the guidebook Adirondack Rock.
26 Garter
27 Varsity
28 Junior Varsity
29 The Snake
30 Roof of All Evil
31 Slime Line
32 Firing Line
33 Psychosis
34 Microwave
35 Creaking Wall
36 Blinded by Rainbows
37 Forget Bullet
38 Rattlesnake
39 Freedom Flight
40 Project
41 Remembering Youth
42 Sound System
43 Pillar
44 Autumn Flare
45 Katrina
46 Deuteronomy
47 Superstition Traverse
48 Spooks
49 The Howling
50 Salad Days
51 Climb Control To Major Bob
52 Pentecostal
53 Project
54 Verdon
55 Homecoming
56 Ukiah
57 Raindance
58 Libido
59 Snake Slide
60 Scorpion
63 Summer Break
64 Wild Blue
65 God’s Grace
66 Home Run Derby
67 Karmic Kickback
68 The FM
69 Nose Traverse
70 Sky Traverse
71 Silver Streak
72 Spectacular Rising Traverse
73 The Body Snatcher
75 The Snatch
76 Knights in Armor
77 Great Dihedral
78 Half Mile
79 Sea of Seams
80 C-Tips
81 Project
82 Mogster
That is great news! Growing up down the road from Poke-O, I always enjoy seeing climbers high up on the rock faces!