Outdoors Latest

Rock climbing restrictions will protect young falcons

The climbing route closures give the nesting pair a needed buffer while allowing climbing in other areas. Donated photo The climbing route closures give the nesting pair a needed buffer while allowing climbing in other areas. Donated photo

The U.S. Forest Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) are temporarily restricting activities on or near several cliff and rock face areas in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests to protect nesting peregrine falcons and their fledgling.  

As climbing has grown in popularity nationwide, the national forests have become hot spots for the sport. They are known for long, traditional routes in beautiful areas with excellent rock quality.  The climbing route closures give the nesting pair a needed buffer while allowing climbing in other areas.   To learn more about climbing closures throughout the Carolinas, visit: 

carolinaclimbers.org/content/peregrine-closures-2024.html.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.