Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
| Messages 1 - 64 of total 64 in this topic |
Dirty Bird
climber
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 4, 2012 - 05:50pm PT
|
Went up to churchbowl today (wed. april 4th)and there were tons of manzanita bushes at the base of the Bishop's Terrace. To the climber's right there was about a hundred feet of destruction (rock, dust, busted ass trees). Loose pebbles and even a tree branch fell while we were looking around the area. We decided it looked a little to recent and too active for us to risk doing a climb we had done many times before. Just a heads up. From curry village, we had heard a rock fall last night at about 11pm, it could have been the same one, I don't know. If anyone is heading out that way to climb, be safe.
|
|
Plaidman
Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
|
|
Details and specific routes. It would be great to know exactly where. Pics anyone?
the base of the Bishop's Terrace. To the climber's right there was about a hundred feet of destruction (rock, dust, busted ass trees). I guess this is specific. I if I remember correctly the rap off is on the climbers right of Bishops Terrace.
|
|
gstock
climber
Yosemite Valley
|
|
Be advised:
Two rockfalls originated from a source area almost directly above Bishop's Terrace on the 3rd and 4th of April. Both occurred at night, with the first occurring at about 11:15 pm on April 3rd and the second at 10:35 pm on April 4th.
From the source area, falling rocks were steered by a series of southeast-dipping ramps just to the west (climber's right) of Bishop's Balcony. The short second pitch of Bishop's Terrace leading to the base of the Balcony was hit hard by rock debris. Some rocks went over the first pitch of Bishop's Terrace, though there weren't obvious impacts. The rappel route from the top of the first pitch was hit hard, with the big oak tree there losing several limbs.
At the base, there is a lot (hundred of tons) of fresh rock debris scattered over an area about 300 feet across, extending eastward from the base of Bishop's Terrace. Small rocks were falling every few minutes when we were in this area.
The source area can be clearly seen from Ahwahnee Meadow. Although I'm not able to predict future behavior, I have seen cleaner source areas than this one. Future rockfalls are possible.
Bottom line: These were relatively large rockfalls that impacted the Bishop's Terrace area hard. It's very lucky that they occurred at night. For now I strongly advise against climbing Bishop's Terrace or any routes on the eastern side of Church Bowl. Routes farther to the west near Church Bowl lieback were not affected. Please help to spread the word.
Greg Stock
Park Geologist
greg_stock@nps.gov
(209) 379-1420
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
Future rockfalls are possible.
I take it you're not a betting man.
|
|
cleo
Social climber
the canyon below the Ditch!!!!
|
|
The bench did survive! Most of the debris is to the east, but make no mistake, there is flyrock near the bench.
-Val
|
|
Chicken Skinner
Trad climber
Yosemite
|
|
Holy crap. I climbed it two days ago on the 3rd.
Ken
|
|
Plaidman
Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
|
|
WOW!!! Thanks Greg for the photos and the MORE than detailed information. Hope that area cleans up some and we can get on it this fall. I love Bishops Terrace. One of my favorite climbs.
|
|
KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
|
|
Hope that area cleans up some and we can get on it this fall
Doubt it. 30+ years later, no one goes near Koko's. Softballs were still raining last time I checked.
|
|
JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
|
|
Hello folks,
Greg and I just returned from surveying the rockfall damage at Church Bowl (Bishop's Terrace) area.
Although there is always a possibility of rock fall on Yosemite's crags, domes, and walls. We feel there is an elevated level of risk for rock fall over Bishop's Terrace over the next week or so. Therefore we have temporarily closed all routes at Church Bowl East of, but not icluding, "Church Bowl Tree".
Let us know if you have any questions,
Thanks,
Jesse
Yosemite Climbing Ranger
jesse_mcgahey@nps.gov
209.742.3289
|
|
Minerals
Social climber
The Deli
|
|
There goes the tonalite of Glacier Point again…
|
|
nature
climber
CO
|
|
Thank you Greg!
Edit: oh yeah, you too Jesse!
|
|
cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
|
|
Looks like a lot of dirt behind where the rocks let go. There are some really big trees right over the release area.
Perhaps this was more a case of trees/ roots prying the rock away from the face than freeze/thaw or internal rock stresses? Or both, but the cracks were invaded and made wider by root growth?
Who wants to inspect the release area to give us more info? :)
|
|
Brock
Trad climber
RENO, NV
|
|
Very helpful
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
Therefore we have temporarily closed all routes at Church Bowl East of, but not icluding, "Church Bowl Tree".
Closed? You mean there is a sign that says it is not advised to climb the routes, and there will be no line?
|
|
healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
|
|
|
|
enjoimx
Trad climber
Kirkwood, ca
|
|
What are you talking about? That's a sweet new roof crack.
|
|
hoipolloi
climber
A friends backyard with the neighbors wifi
|
|
Vitality M- what's your point? You pissed 'the man' is closing routes? Go ahead and rope up and climb there, sounds like a good idea! Idiot. Get over it.
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
I'm filing a protest with God about rockfall over such classic climbing routes.
I protest. Go dump rocks over some sport climbing Almighty one!
one of 2012 minor disasters, glad nobody got rock showered
PEace
Karl
|
|
jfailing
Trad climber
Lone Pine
|
|
I'm filing a protest with God about rockfall over such classic climbing routes.
I blame the angels/aliens that built the massive ark on the moon...
Good to know that nobody was hurt or anything - that area seems constantly populated with tourists and climbers.
Is anyone going to go up and survey those loose looking blocks? Or do we just wait until nature takes its course and they eventually fall?
|
|
mongrel
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
|
|
Thanks Greg for the usual detailed rockfall info, right down to explaining the flight path. It does appear to have been the worst bit of the general release zone; in healyje's markup of the photo, you can see a lot of water streaks right below the facets that are still covered with dirt, where a lot of the rock probably came from. The other not so happy part doesn't look quite as bad; not that I'd go climbing there for a while, just sayin.
That tree at the bottom of the rappel had a few too many damn branches anyway, good to get some of those cleared out of there.
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
Vitality M- what's your point? You pissed 'the man' is closing routes? Go ahead and rope up and climb there, sounds like a good idea! Idiot. Get over it.
Call me an idiot to my face c#nt lice.
|
|
cleo
Social climber
the canyon below the Ditch!!!!
|
|
bump - spread the word.
-Val Zimmer
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
The 'Man' should ban Euros from climbing in the Valley. I've had more rock
trundled my way following those people than an Iranian sodomite.
|
|
apogee
climber
|
|
Oh, yay! Internet gangsta spray!
That stuff is always so entertaining, and makes us climbers look soooo good...
Keep it up, boys...
...somewhere else, please.
|
|
JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
|
|
Thanks, Greg and Jesse. I particularly like the way Jesse phrased this -- there is a risk of rockfall everywhere, but this area's risk exceeds that of most other areas, at least for now.
The more rockfall I've observed over the decades in the Valley, the more grateful I become that none of it landed on me!
John
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
Is anyone going to go up and survey those loose looking blocks? Or do we just wait until nature takes its course and they eventually fall?
Can't they just blast the area with explosives like they do on ski hills? The SAR guys would love that
Would almost be as good as the old "Firefall"
Peace
Karl
|
|
~kief~
Trad climber
nor-cal
|
|
^Bump
for front page worthiness
edit-maybe time for forum division?-OT,climb,TR?
I like the OT stuff,but when they bump super pertinent topics
off the front page,i wonder...
|
|
healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
|
|
Can't they just blast the area with explosives like they do on ski hills? The SAR guys would love that...
Not sure if I'm ready to wrap my head around the image of Werner running around the valley with a recoiless rifle...
|
|
OR
Trad climber
|
|
Krikey! That does look like there will be lots more to come down in that photo, That block looks huge.
|
|
Russ Walling
Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
|
|
Call me an idiot to my face c#nt lice.
{{{{{{{{{{{{cunt lice}}}}}}}}}}}}
LOLZ!! Damn that's funny!
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
hoip - I read sarcasm in Vitaliy's note.
Thanks! Finally I found someone who understands *XOXO*
I was not planning to climb there this weekend, I do value my life.
The whole "Bishop's terrace is closed" thing just sounded kind of funny to me. I usually hike/climb peaks and see rock fall often. The idea of a route being closed for climbing by 'the man' leads my thoughts to "this ride is closed" sign somewhere in Disney land...It is just weird for someone who is not used to anything being controlled anywhere. I bet not many can share my humor, but calling someone an idiot is quite disrespectful, we can live without insults. If someone wants to insult me please email me so we can meet, and do it to my face. I do not want to be a part of interpersonal online circus.
|
|
Plaidman
Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
|
|
Russ that is classic. Leave it to us outlaws to find a way around the offensive language filter. LOL!!
{{{{{{{{{{{{cunt lice}}}}}}}}}}}}
|
|
The Real Mad Dog
Gym climber
Napa, CA
|
|
I climbed Bishop Terrace 9 years ago and wondered when (hopefully not on my ascent) a big chunk of rock would break loose. Bound to happen.
Yosemite Valley is the rockfall capital of the western Sierra; no other canyon comes close (more, however, occurs on the east cliffs of the High Sierra crest). Only Lovers Leap, a set of cliffs, spalls rockfall at a faster rate than does Yosemite.
Can't blame global warming on this situation.
|
|
gstock
climber
Yosemite Valley
|
|
So the thing about the blocks circled in the photos above is that they were not directly undermined by these recent rockfalls, i.e., they have been that way for probably centuries or longer and we have been climbing under them all that time. Welcome to Yosemite.
Greg
|
|
bergbryce
Mountain climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
|
|
Everyone raves about BT and I'm not sure why. The climbing seemed un-inspiring to me. All that to get to ~12' of good hands climbing??
Saw some all brand new gear guy who had been spraying like a sprinkler bail off it after we rapped which made it worth it though. I'm usually supportive of all climbers at all abilities, but watching that guy bail with his date/girlfriend watching, after all that spewing was entertaining.
Oh the rockfall, uh yeah, right. Crazy. Glad it happened at night.
|
|
Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
|
|
Here's a screen shot from xRez of the source area, where I tried to circle the stuff that came down, lining up with the "dirty" spots on Greg's photo.
|
|
mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
|
|
Finally, Haley Anna is gonna get some traffic as the next best 5.8 crack in the park, er ahh in yosemite....
Great photos!
|
|
tornado
climber
lawrence kansas
|
|
Quote HerEveryone raves about BT and I'm not sure why. The climbing seemed un-inspiring to me. All that to get to ~12' of good hands climbing??
e I felt the same way about Super Slide when we did it. 4-5 pitches of mediocre climbing to get to 15 ft of 5.9 hands size crack and then have to rap off? Yuck.
|
|
healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
|
|
gstock - glad to hear that structure is more stable than it looks in that photo - it would suck to have those lines threatened for the long haul.
|
|
Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
|
|
I was looking forward to repeating BT this coming Facelift. Too bad all these climbs have become waaaay too popular, with lines queuing up at their bases. I first did BT in 1980, and...NO LINES!
I'm presuming that CB Lieback is still out of the rockfall zone? Pole Position?
|
|
phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
|
|
"Everyone raves about BT and I'm not sure why."
1. Because it's a nice clean aesthetic line.
2. Because it has a 2 minute approach.
3. Because it has an easy descent.
4. Because there isn't too much else in the Valley that fulfills 1-3 and that is also within the ability of the 5.8 leader.
|
|
mooser
Trad climber
seattle
|
|
After having been hit by a couple of rocks this last summer, the image of all that debris raining down on someone gives me the willies! Glad to hear the area is being isolated, though that stuff can come down pretty much anywhere, at any time. Also really glad to hear it came down after closing time.
|
|
Nor Cal
Trad climber
San Mateo
|
|
I was just getting ready to rebuild the BT bench next week. Looks like it will be next winter.
|
|
Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 02:35pm PT
|
Bishop's Terrace is an OK route. I took a friend who had never climbed before up it while he was frying on acid - he did it and thought it was REALLY good.
Kevin, did he think the climb was real good or the acid. ;-)
Or both?
Regarding the rockfall, perhaps there is some new boulders/bouldering. Anyway, glad nobody got hurt.
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 02:49pm PT
|
So is it open to climbing yet?
|
|
msiddens
Trad climber
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 02:51pm PT
|
Finally, Haley Anna is gonna get some traffic as the next best 5.8 crack in the park, er ahh in yosemite....
Great photos!
Ha, nice and it IS great. That second pitch start is a little mungy though........
|
|
cleo
Social climber
the canyon below the Ditch!!!!
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 03:50pm PT
|
Oh Vitaliy...
FYI there was another report of a CB rockfall yesterday afternoon. I also hear small rocks coming down in the impact area when I went over to take a look.
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 04:09pm PT
|
FYI there was another report of a CB rockfall yesterday afternoon. I also hear small rocks coming down in the impact area when I went over to take a look.
Seriously?
That blows. I really do want to climb it some time in the next month, or two if this crap continues.
|
|
'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 04:30pm PT
|
Neil Chelton = Rock Magnet.
Neil, you shouldn't have walked under that route, dude....
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 05:20pm PT
|
Hey, Vitaliy, I think I found your soul partner over on UKClimbing.com.
He had the sangfroid to take this rather than praying...
He calls it The Rolling Stones © USBRIT, 22 Mar 2012
The Rolling Stones
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 05:34pm PT
|
LOL!!!
nastojashij pacan!
|
|
StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 05:37pm PT
|
Crap Reilly, I'm having a flashback (and not the good kind)
|
|
PellucidWombat
Mountain climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 05:53pm PT
|
Is anyone going to go up and survey those loose looking blocks? Or do we just wait until nature takes its course and they eventually fall?
Maybe Yosemite can borrow techniques from Snowbird Ski Resort
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Probably something more appropriate for the evil parallel universe where Yosemite is privately owned & run as a rock climbing park by Dick Bass ;-)
When I taught skiing there I heard from the ski patrol that for some of their avvy control runs they'd just toss the explosives from the aerial tram on the way up. I wonder if they were jerking my leg on that one . . .
|
|
Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 05:54pm PT
|
Rock fall is scary.
|
|
BooYah
Social climber
Ely, Nv
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 05:55pm PT
|
Rockfall is cool.
|
|
Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 06:00pm PT
|
As the noted Science Fiction author Robert Heinlein remarked about surviving a nuclear explosion, which applies equally to rockfall: Don't be there when it goes off...
|
|
PellucidWombat
Mountain climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Apr 12, 2012 - 06:06pm PT
|
Val,
I imagine this area is being formally closed not just due to the rockfall, but the overall risk? i.e. how close it is to many unaware tourists & casual climbers who might be unaware of the hazard while hangfire is still likely to come down?
Just curious, but did YNP close the death slabs approach for a period after this little rockfall?
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Video by Le_Bruce
|
|
gstock
climber
Yosemite Valley
|
|
|
Apr 18, 2012 - 05:59pm PT
|
Hi all,
We have been monitoring the rock-fall source area above Church Bowl, and there do not appear to have been any new rock falls following the intial two events (the rock fall reported on April 11 seems to have originated from another location). Furthermore, a recent substantial winter storm with rain and snow, followed by warm temperatures, has so far failed to trigger any addditional rock falls. During my recent visit to the impact area there was no more small debris falling.
This suggests that the rock-fall source area is relatively stable and that the level of hazard posed is similar to "background", i.e., the hazard level that always exists below cliffs in Yosemite Valley. As a result, the temporary closure of the Bishop's Terrace area has been lifted.
Please - please - note that this does not mean that future rock falls are not possible. Although we are actively researching rock falls, predicting them is extremely challenging at this time. There will always be some degree of rock-fall related risk, and this is particularly true for climbers who frequent cliffs and talus slopes. The National Park Service strives to take reasonable measures to ensure public safety but cannot guarantee a risk-free environment in a dynamic natural setting such as Yosemite Valley. I will do my best to provide up-to-date information on rock falls and rock-fall related hazards as they affect climbers, but ultimately individual judgement and discretion is required.
Thanks and safe climbing!
Greg Stock
Park Geologist
(209) 379-1420
greg_stock@nps.gov
|
|
Grippa
Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
|
|
|
Apr 18, 2012 - 10:38pm PT
|
Thank you for the follow up Greg
|
|
Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
|
|
|
Apr 18, 2012 - 11:02pm PT
|
Although we are actively researching rock falls, predicting them is extremely challenging at this time.
Why don't you just take a tricorder reading or something?
|
|
mariaji
Social climber
Tucson, AZ
|
|
|
Apr 24, 2012 - 01:51pm PT
|
No line . . . sweet! Luv da humor : p
|
|
mooch
Trad climber
Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)
|
|
|
Apr 24, 2012 - 02:08pm PT
|
A new line created.....C#&% Lice Ledge
|
|
| Messages 1 - 64 of total 64 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!