Cave Rock ban permanent

It’s official: The ban on climbing at the famed Cave Rock on the shore of Lake Tahoe has been ruled permanent. But this saga isn’t over.

The ban comes after seven years of controversy over the 250-foot tower of volcanic andesite, a lure for rock climbers from around the world (Outdoors, Sept. 9). But it’s also considered sacred ground by the indigenous Washoe tribe.

An order banning rock climbing was issued in July, and that decision was appealed to the U.S. Forest Service, which upheld the ruling.

But the Access Fund, a climbers’ advocacy group, said it isn’t going down without another fight or two. Executive Director Steve Matous said his organization has asked the Forest Service for a stay on the decision.

-- J. Michael Kennedy