Linville Gorge Falcon Closures

I am considering a first trip to Linville Gorge for this summer. I am aware that a falcon closure is usually in effect from Jan 15 to Aug 15 from Tightrope to Bumblebee Buttress. I am not yet familiar with the area. Does this closure affect Table Rock and the Amphitheater? I am trying to decide whether to make a trip over the July 4 holiday. Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

It does not affect Table Rock or the Amphitheater. Most of the closures are climber's left of the Prow. There are also some closures at Shortoff, mostly the far right side. Good luck, hopefully the weather is good for you. Also know your non-verbal belay commands. Many of the pitches are long and wondering, often out of hearing distance of your belayer. Beware of loose rock from freeze thaw. The amphitheater is fairly remote.

Table Rock and the Amphitheater are unaffected by the falcon closures. The only affected areas are parts of Shortoff Mountain and NC Wall. You should be good to go.

Thank you both!

When you say the far right side of shortoff is closed, do you mean the wall with straight and narrow, or further right still?

Here's the closure notice from the Forest Service:

carolinaclimbers.org/sites/…

For Shortoff, it doesn't really impact the popular routes. It's worth noting that the falcons can move nesting sites - a few years ago they switched the closure at Whitesides due to this. There will be signs posted for the closure areas. Closures are also often lifted early if there are no nesting pairs, so it's worth checking the CCC site and the FS for updates later in the spring / early summer.

Lohan wrote:When you say the far right side of shortoff is closed, do you mean the wall with straight and narrow, or further right still?

Thanks. I've never gone further right than the wall with Construction Job and S&N. Glad to hear most of Shortoff is still open for this nicer weather!

Lohan wrote:Thanks. I've never gone further right than the wall with Construction Job and S&N. Glad to hear most of Shortoff is still open for this nicer weather!