Tag: News

Due to current increased fire danger, local land managers have instituted general closures of high risk areas, including some popular climbing areas.

Closed areas in Coconino National Forest include:

• San Francisco Peaks
• Mt. Elden
• Kelly Canyon
• Pumphouse Wash
• The Pit
• Bouldering above Lower Lake Mary

Closed areas in Kaibab National Forest include:

• Bill Williams Mountain

Closed areas in Navajo and Apache counties include:

• All state owned and managed lands, including Winslow Wall

Areas that remain open under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions:

• Sedona
• Oak Creek Canyon (except Pumphouse Wash)
• The Overlook
• Paradise Forks
• Volunteer Canyon
• Areas off of Woody Mountain Road
• Priest Draw
• Buffalo Park

Find more information at dffm.az.gov/fire-restrictions.

To help prevent wildfires, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has placed Stage II Fire Restrictions across Southern Arizona. As of Friday, May 4, Coconino County, home to popular climbing area Priest Draw, will move from Stage I Fire Restrictions to Stage II Fire Restrictions. In the past, failure to comply with Fire Restrictions has resulted in temporary closures of recreational areas.

According the the Coconino National Forest website, Stage II Fire Restrictions prohibits:

• Fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, and wood stoves (except using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device)
• Smoking (except within an enclosed vehicle or building)
• Using an explosives
• Possessing, discharging, or using any type of firework by pyrotechnic device. Fireworks are always prohibited.
• Operating a chainsaw or any other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine from the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator).
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order (this does not include motor vehicles. This is aimed at things such as landscaping tools).
• Discharging firearms, air rifles, or gas guns (except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal or tribal laws and regulations).
• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads. Vehicles must follow Travel Management Rule regulations and cannot drive/park over any vegetation at any time.

Find more information about Stage I and Stage II Fire Restrictions here.

Find news on where Fire Restrictions are being implemented here.

Climbers and other volunteers will clean up the Beardsley Boulder Pile at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the second annual Trim Beardsley event. The cleanup will be followed by a raffle and a group climb.

The local hiking and climbing area has been historically plagued by litter and graffiti  – an issue local climbers sought to remedy at last year’s inaugural Trim Beardsley event last year in May. Seventy-five volunteers removed a significant amount of trash, though there is still much to be done for the area, including much-needed graffiti removal which will be provided by Natural Restorations this year.

The event will be held in cooperation with The City of Phoenix and REI, and with support from the Access Fund, Crafted, Natural Restorations, North Valley Baptist Church, Merrell & Backpacker Magazine, The Arizona Mountaineering Club, The American Alpine Club, Evolv, Petzl, and La Sportiva.

Volunteers can register for the event via REI’s website at https://www.rei.com/event/trim-the-beardsley-boulder-pile/196494.