08/15/2012

Jemez (aka Crystal) Cave Closing

Date: 8/16/2012

In the latest Vertical Times, we reported that the Santa Fe National Forest and local Pueblo are concerned about climbing impacts at Jemez Cave (aka Crystal Cave) in New Mexico. Access Fund Affiliate the New Mexico Climbers’ Resource and Advocacy Group (NM CRAG) worked with local climbers to take proactive steps to address these concerns, removed all the fixed draws from the cave, met with the Forest Service and local Pueblo, and got the word out to the local climbing community.

We just got word that the Forest Service plans on issuing a temporary closure of Crystal Cave in October in order to perform an archaeological survey. Impacts to the cave’s nationally significant archeological resources are the major concern. NM CRAG held a public meeting with the local climbing community yesterday to review the current status. While the official closure date is projected to be mid October, NM CRAG and the Forest Service are requesting that climbers voluntarily refrain from climbing at Crystal Cave at this time. The Access Fund continues to work with NM CRAG, local climbers, and the US Forest Service to address this issue.

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