=======================
Beacon Rock Update - 1/2/06
=======================
!!!Caution!!! SE Corner Rockfall
Jim Opdyke got homesick and went out to Beacon Sunday and reported a significant rock fall has occured from very high above the SE corner. This rock fall spread rock from where the trail meets the rock all the way around and just short of tunnel #1. To spread in this pattern the rock fall must have occured quite high, possibly even coming off the SE corner ridge. At this time we do not know where the rockfall came from or if there is still more highly unstable rock up above. We hope to get out on a survey mission as soon as we get a break in the weather for a couple of days. If we do we'll also get photos and a more detailed study of the rock at the top of p1 on Young Warriors while we're at it. Remember, Beacon is a highly dynamic crag with a long history of large loose rocks coming down periodically. Until we know more about this incident be doubly cautious and alert if you are out there doing anything around the SE Corner between now and Feb. 1st when the park closes to climbing.
SE Corner Tree
After all our discussions of the SE Corner tree we will see how resilient it is as Jim O. said this rockfall took about 6 feet off of the main branch extending out to the South. If nothing else it will certainly lower its drag profile. Further, BRSP staff checked with the state biologists and habitat folks about the the SE Corner tree and the consensus back was do nothing to it and that settles that discussion as their word is final.
Dogs and Parvo
BRSP Staff wanted all you dog owners to be aware that there is a high incidence of Parvo within all boundaries of the park. If you have any questions about this please do drop in and talk to them.
NW Parvo FAQ
Peregrine Closure and Monitoring
2005 was a great year for seeing the falcons (and bears). David Anderson with WSFW is responisble for the Peregrine Management Plan and he really dedicated a lot of energy in to the monitoring Beacon in 2005 along with all his other duties which led to this year's early opening. But we never found the nest this past year but we do know they didn't nest in their usual South face nest/scrape on Big Ledge. Unfortunately, knowing where they are nesting is a requisite for any real early opening. To open the South face significantly early requires that we locate where they are nesting, not simply saying where they are not. We and Dave will be putting a lot of effort into locating their scrape this coming year and will keep you posted as that monitoring kicks in.
2006 Pre-Opening Work Session
We don't have a schedule yet but the proposed focus of this year's Work Session is cleaning up Grassy Ledges and above of loose rock. Some rockfall like what just happened we can't control, nor do we want to - we like Beacon wild - but the two decade buildup of rock on high traffic areas above the routes at the base of the Beacon's SE flank have to be addressed before there is a serious climber-initiated accident. We had quite a bit of rock come down this year on to the trail on busy weekends and we'd like to minimize this next season. This is particularly an issue on the lower Grassy Ledges from Blownout to Little Wing. We will also be doing more anchor replacements in this area during the session because it had too high a load of loose rock to work on it this past summer and fall while it was open. Setting up this effort takes a bit of coordination relative to dropping rocks down. We'll probably have Parks biologist/habitat folks out again and possibly others relative to determining the best drop zone for the rocks coming down. As of now it looks like the area below Blownout is a good candidate with regards to having a minimum impact on trees. We'll keep you posted on scheduling though it is almost entirely dependent on the Peregrine fledging and WSFW's approval to proceed.
BRSP Staff
Just a note to say that the BRSP Staff is highly supportive of climbing at Beacon as one of its many unique and distinctive characteristics as a WA State Park. We are fortunate to have them. I'd encourage all of you do drop by and at least meet them and say hello and introduce yourselves at some point in the season - you might be surprised at how nice and supportive they really are.
Joseph Healy
Beacon Rock Climbers' Association
Beacon.Rock@AvaSys.com
P.S. Please extra careful on the ice and in all your alpine endeavors this winter and play safe...
