MudNCrud Forums
Climbing and ... Climbing => Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles => Topic started by: mungeclimber on December 12, 2018, 05:44:55 PM
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From the NPS FB page... "ALERT: Balconies Cave is currently closed due to recent rockfall. Please plan your route accordingly."
what happened? pics?
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Yos-o-mighty just texted me asking what was up with this. Gavin and I saw and heard nothing all day yesterday and we were on The Balconies, right above the caves all day.
Happened today?
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Squirrels at it again....
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Fall City?
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I haven't heard details yet, but it sounds like Jim Palmer (from the trails crew) and others went out to the cave today and a huge boulder fell into the cave a day or two ago, obstructing the trail at some point along its length. It sounds like it is potentially unsafe for hikers and he and others are going to assess options, and keep the cave closed in the meantime.
I'll ask about the situation and get back with any more details I hear.
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Thx Gavin
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A few more details: there was rockfall noted in the Balconies Cave a few days ago, and a large boulder (about 5 feet wide and tall) became dislodged and fell from near the top of the rock stairs and into the main room on the northeast side of the cave. (Basically the boulder is now sitting in the main room on the northeast side of the cave where it starts to get dark and requires a flashlight.) The boulder isn't obstructing the trail, but there are a few other boulders that are directly above the trail (where it is tight along the rock steps) that are loose and could potentially become dislodged and hit hikers.
Staff from the Trails crew and Resources division are going to take this information to the management team before formulating a plan, but I would guess that loose rock will be dislodged, and then the area will be reassessed for safety before making a decision about reopening Balconies Cave.
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Does it have any sit start V boulder problems?