New Yosemite Crack Appears Overnight
Rangers have closed the area in the Royal Arches for safety reasons
A new crack opened in Yosemite and climbers were quick to make an ascent. It was called Super Natural and goes at 5.10, but park rangers have closed the area because the crack is part of a large, expanding piece of rock that might collapse.
The official area closure notice from Yosemite National Park reads: “Rock climbers recently reported a new crack in a cliff on the western side of Royal Arches, near the climbing route Super Slide. Subsequent investigation revealed that this crack has partially detached a large pillar of rock, and that cracking was actively occurring. As a precautionary effort to reduce risk from rockfall, the National Park Service is implementing a temporary area and trail closure while the area is investigated further.”
Yosemite Climbing Rangers have said, “Greg Stock, the park geologist, is currently working on a monitoring plan to see if any more shifting or movement happens with this newly formed crack. Greg and a seasonal climbing ranger recently climbed Super Slide to observe the new crack and heard continuous creaking noises and witnessed many rock chips falling out of the crack. Since it’s FA, it has expanded over an inch in the past week. It’s hard to predict if this massive piece of stone will fall in the next week, this winter, or last many years. We will keep everyone updated through the climbing steward Instagram account and other park media platforms with the most current information and results of the geological surveying.”
The areas closed include the eastern portion of the Ahwahnee Hotel Parking area and extends to just East of Royal Arches creek. Approximately ¼ mile section of the Valley Loop Trail is included in the closure with a marked detour route around the hazard area. Serenity Crack and Super Slide Climbing Area Closure includes all routes between and including Peruvian Flake West to the Rhombus Wall. The popular routes Serenity Crack/Sons of Yesterday, and Super Slide are included in the closure. Ahwahnee Boulders are also closed. See photos below.
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