Northern Arizona Raptor Info
Peaks Crag Partial Closure In Effect
The Peaks Crag is currently under a partial closure for a pair of nesting peregrines. The success of previous partial closures and the NAZCC’s partnership with the Forest Service biologists has allowed for a reduced closure this year. This means more route are open for climbing, climbs right of and including Shaman School are open to climb on! We ask that climbers respect this privilege by adhering to these closures and keeping noise levels to a minimum.
The Pit Route Closure In Effect
The forest service has enacted a soft closure of the routes No Joke, Total Recall, and Fruit Bowl due to nesting Peregrines. Please do not climb these routes until we get the all clear, usually mid July.
Additionally the routes at the Bedrock Cliff are closed for nesting owls. This includes The Viper, Fred Flintstone, Nightmare in Your Closet, Barney Rubble, Jedi Mind Tricks
Imagine being the fastest creature on earth! Flying through the endless skies and dive-bombing at over 200 miles an hour! What would you do with all that power and technical ability? Well you would probably head straight for a beautiful rock face, to exercise your physical prowess and raise a family. Great minds think alike. As rock climbing grows in popularity, and peregrine falcons continue to bounce back in their population size, we need to learn how to share these spaces respectfully and sustainably. When peregrine falcons became threatened (mostly due to the use of DDT), rock climbers were pushed out of their shared environment to allow the bird populations to thrive. Historically land management agencies have prohibited access to entire climbing areas during the sensitive season. Recently climbers have been given the opportunity to show that we can coexist with this amazing species. Since 2020 the Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition has been working in collaboration with the Forest Service on implementing partial area closures at crags where peregrines nest and reproduce. This is a very new progressive approach for land managers attempting to balance recreation with sensitive habitat needs, and so far we have had great success! Peregrine falcons are no longer on the threatened species list, but their reproductive success rate is typically only 40% under the best of conditions. These birds are very vocal, and will let you know if you are too close by aggressively squawking, or possibly even dive bombing. If this ever happens immediately retreat and report the birds to the NAZCC.
Sensitive nesting and courting season typically lasts from April through August. Please respect posted closures, and stay up-to-date by following our social media page on Facebook and Instagram. In doing this, both climbers and birds may continue to thrive in shared spaces. Be a steward and an advocate by having respectful and tactful conversations with fellow climbers about the negative impacts of loud noise, and disruptive behavior. Currently partial area closures seasonally occur at the Pit, the Peaks, and Volunteer Canyon. Please help us to continually strengthen our trust and relationships with land management agencies, and bird populations. Happy birding and climbing!
More info about Peregrines, including recordings of their calls, can be found here. And check out the video below of Peregrine chicks at The Pit in 2022