Lumpy closures

As many of us suspected would happen, the Book is now permanently part of the seasonal raptor closures at Lumpy. The slippery slope continues.

Thread from last year:

Temporary Closure of the Book, Lumpy Ridge

Add Cathedral Wall to the list as well.  First time this formation has closed for nesting.  It's hard to imagine raptors nesting up in the alpine at this time of year to mandate a need for closure in mid-February.  I see Lumpy on the path to total closure in the not so distant future.  

Nate Awrote:

Add Cathedral Wall to the list as well.  First time this formation has closed for nesting.  It's hard to imagine raptors nesting up in the alpine at this time of year to mandate a need for closure in mid-February.  I see Lumpy on the path to total closure in the not so distant future.  

Multiple reports of climbers getting dive bombed up there early last summer, and Park biologists confirmed nesting activity.  

When do you think the closure should start?

Climbers, if you get dive bombed by a bird just keep it to yourself please. Consider it just another objective hazard of rock climbing.

timwrote:

Climbers, if you get dive bombed by a bird just keep it to yourself please. Consider it just another objective hazard of rock climbing.

Fortunately for the birds, not everyone shares this view on the best way to protect threatened species.  

For what it's worth, I'm sad that the Book won't be open this spring when it warms up and I get over skiing.  In a typical May/June I climb 2-3x per week at Lumpy, mostly on the Book.  Granted the closure last season was specific areas of the Book, so there may be particular crags still open this season (I haven't seen closure maps or graphics, just the press release.)

That said, I get frustrated with the climbing-centric viewpoint that informs statements like the previous from tim.  We're not the only users, and while I do feel strongly about our form of recreation it still doesn't take precedence over wildlife or other visitors.  

I would really like to see raptor closures monitored more closely, lifted as soon as appropriate, and done within reasonable guidelines.  I'm not a biologist though, just a climber.  So I defer to the experts.  And I know that RMNP relies heavily on volunteers for raptor monitoring.  

I think a more cooperative relationship between the Park and the climbing community would benefit all.  I hate the thought of wide-spread closures in areas without nesting or where it won't directly affect the birds.  I also hate the thought of peregrines abandoning a nest because of repeated climber traffic near an unidentified or inaccurately identified nesting site.

If raptors are nesting in an area, it's gonna be just a matter of time before the Park finds out.  I think it would be more beneficial if folks reported where and when they saw birds/nests, and importantly where they are not seeing activity.  

I don't know what type of volunteer opportunities are available at RMNP for people interested in this issue, but it could be worth reaching out to the volunteer office. 

Finally, a couple links I found interesting. First is an article from a few years back with some good balanced perspective: 

Then this interesting historical document from RMNP biologists.

Thanks all!

They are not a threatened species FYI.

timwrote:

They are not a threatened species FYI.

So let’s disturb their habitat without abandon because every inch of rock is rightfully ours every moment of every year?  There’s plenty to climb, it’s a bummer when we can’t all access places we love all the time but I’d like to encourage folks to spend less time second-guessing conservation efforts and more time stepping up to be stewards of the land we share as a community.  

J Rockwrote:

So let’s disturb their habitat without abandon because every inch of rock is rightfully ours every moment of every year?  There’s plenty to climb, it’s a bummer when we can’t all access places we love all the time but I’d like to encourage folks to spend less time second-guessing conservation efforts and more time stepping up to be stewards of the land we share as a community.  

If you’re truly concerned about species conservation (as I am  BTW), I suggest you look to the thousands of actually endangered species first. Having said that, protecting peregrine nesting in a reasonable way wouldn’t get any objection from me. Blanket permanent closures I don’t consider reasonable. I do believe the method used at eldo and Devil’s Tower serve as reasonable examples. 

Tim, have you expressed your concerns anywhere but here? If so can you share what you found out?

Or are you just whining?

timwrote:

If you’re truly concerned about species conservation (as I am  BTW), I suggest you look to the thousands of actually endangered species first. Having said that, protecting peregrine nesting in a reasonable way wouldn’t get any objection from me. Blanket permanent closures I don’t consider reasonable. I do believe the method used at eldo and Devil’s Tower serve as reasonable examples. 

Ok then. Are you willing to pay higher taxes to fund the research and staffing needed to have such targeted closures?  

Are you willing to contribute your time and money to fund the campaign required to get the bill passed to raise the taxes to fund the targeted closures?  

timwrote:

Blanket permanent closures I don’t consider reasonable. I do believe the method used at eldo and Devil’s Tower serve as reasonable examples. 

This is the thing. As discussed in the thread last year, Eldo and Devil's Tower actively manage raptor closures. You can see this in their dynamic communication about raptors every year. Lumpy, not so much. I'm pretty sure the difference comes down to rangers and park management who care about the climber's perspective (both RMNP and DT are in the Nat'l Park system). Personally, I would pay more to RMNP to have them be more proactive about closures, but I'm not convinced money is the issue. I'd also like to volunteer, but I'm not at a place in my life where that is possible. Before bashing on others, be informed.

** Edited to add that park management also needs to be vested in doing it right. Just had a private exchange that makes me think there are rangers who do care but are limited in what they can do.