Climbing Advisories and Closures 2025 (Protection of Nesting Birds of Prey)

[Gavin]

Hey All -

Climbing closures are in effect again as of today (January 20, 2026). They should look pretty similar to previous years. A couple things that might stand out: Goat Rock routes are closed, but all climbing on Resurrection Wall is open. All routes on Machete Ridge are currently open, but this may change (sometime in February) if condors decide to nest there again. Feather Canyon, Rituals & Magic, Where’s Waldo (and other Wherewithal Wall routes) and associated climbs are closed, but the summit routes on Tuff Dome, H&L Dome, etc. are open.

Let me know if you have questions and thanks for your support!

[Runout]

There was a peregrine that seemed like it was exploring what might be a nest, about 3/4 of the way up Machete Ridge, directly above Dos Equis. We were climbing on Dos Equis. The bird was getting into a bombay chimney and dropping tiny pebbles down on us. This was the morning of Sunday 1/20/26.

[Runout]

From below.

[Gavin]

Thanks for the report - much appreciated! At this point the peregrine falcons in that area are still just exploring, but I’ll keep an eye on where they end up focusing their efforts. They tend to occupy / defend the cliffs at Machete as well as the main face of Balconies. I’ve seen them inspecting historic nest sites at Balconies as well this month, and that is where they have nested for the past several years.

We’ll see what they end up doing.