Climbers: the White Mountain National Forest has issued a closure of numerous trailheads, recreation sites, and facilities. Please note, the trails themselves are still open. The closure applies to the Boulder Loop Trail (Sundown) and Wild River, among many others.
White Mountain National Forest - News & Events
www.fs.usda.gov
CAMPTON, NH April 24, 2020 –In alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for physical distancing and to ensure health and safety of employees, visitors and volunteers, the White Mount...Are you suggesting it is Ok to climb now (use the trails not trailheads)? Unless you are climbing with someone you live with, how can you practice social distancing at a belay transition?
Dear fellow climbers:
One of the key roles of the Friends of the Ledges is to serve as a liaison between land managers and the climbing community. In that capacity, we wanted to pass along the following guidelines from the NH State Parks and the White Mountain National Forest about climbing during the COVID-19 crisis:
The New Hampshire State Parks and most areas of the White Mountain National Forest continue to remain open, but the land managers ask all visitors to follow the Governor's Stay At Home Order and to follow the general COVID-19 health guidelines set by the state and the CDC.
Currently the Rumney Rocks climbing area and the Cutler River Drainage of Mount Washington are closed to all visitors.
Key Points:
The NH Stay At Home Order allows only essential travel from one's home. Please follow this order and only recreate locally. State Emergency Order #17: www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/documents/emergency-order-17-1.pdf
The Governor has also asked all visitors from out of state to self-quarantine for 14 days: wgme.com/news/local/nh-governor-joins-gov-mills-in-calling-for-out-of-state-visitors-to-self-quar...
No gatherings of more than 10.
Comply with CDC guidance on social distancing and sanitation.
Most bathrooms and other facilities are closed. Please practice Pack It IN and Pack It OUT.
We will continue to be in touch with both the NH State Parks and the White Mountain National Forest as the situation evolves. We'll let you know if these guidelines change.
This is a tough time for everyone in our community. Sending good wishes out there to all—
Sarah Garlick
President, Board of Directors
Friends of the Ledges
www.nhledges.org
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It would have been hard to imagine the RCA reaching a point where we'd support the closure of Rumney Rocks to climbing, but the current COVID-19 situation has made many unimaginable things come to bear.
The USFS has (temporarily) closed Rumney Rocks to climbing. The parking lots will be barricaded and signs will be posted with details.
Remember that parking is also prohibited on Buffalo Road, and at the AAC Campground (they're closed too!)
You cannot enter the area on foot: it is closed.
The penalties for entering closed federal land are steep. The USFS has a law enforcement officer assigned to Rumney, and that officer will be citing people and possibly towing / impounding cars.
The WMNF Pemi District Office has been in touch with the RCA and we have been in touch with Access Fund. We are all hoping that this closure will be short. We will work with the USFS to get the climbing area opened back up once the public health crisis has passed.
For now, please climb close to home or hike instead, avoid travel, and above all, stay healthy.
