Five Northeast climbing areas are getting some help to improve access and promote climbing in the region.
Access Fund, a national climbing advocacy organization, recently announced almost $40,000 in new climbing conservation grants to climbing advocates around the country. The nine awardees will advance new projects in a parking lot build, road repair, a climbing advocacy summit, human waste solutions, and several large-scale stewardship projects.
The Northeast’s grant recipients include climbing groups in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Below is information on each of those projects.
Central New Hampshire Climbers’ Association: Parking Lot Construction
Central New Hampshire Climbers’ Association is addressing parking congestion in Woodstock, New Hampshire, caused by increased climbing activity at Merriam Woods and Tripoli Road. To alleviate concerns from local residents, CNHCA has secured a 5-acre parcel to build a designated parking lot for climbers and recreationists. The lot will accommodate 50 cars and provide direct trailhead access, reducing the creation of informal paths that threaten natural resources. A kiosk at the site will offer maps, stewardship guidelines, closure updates (e.g., falcon nesting), volunteer opportunities, and information on local ecology. Funding has been secured for stump removal, grading, and gravel and boulder boundary installation.
Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition: Hanging Mountain Trail Infrastructure Development
Hanging Mountain was purchased in 2019 by the Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition (WMCC) with support from the Access Fund, Ragged Mountain Foundation, and Appalachian Mountain Club. Volunteers completed extensive trail work on the north side in 2020–2021, and efforts now focus on developing trails to new climbing areas on the south side. The steep terrain requires technical skills, including grip hoist operation for moving rock. The next phase includes building retaining walls and 20 stone steps. While WMCC has skilled volunteers, expanding capacity through training is essential. To achieve this, WMCC will hire Hermit Woods Trailbuilders for a two-day volunteer training, with the Boston chapter of the AMC matching funds to increase participation to 16 volunteers. Participants will include WMCC, AMC, and Ragged Mountain Foundation volunteers, as well as local conservation groups and land trust staff. Before work begins, WMCC will hire a biologist to conduct surveys, as Hanging Mountain is a Priority Habitat under MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
Upper Saco Valley Land Trust: Jockey Cap Trail Repair
Jockey Cap Park, a 15.6-acre property on US Route 302 in Fryeburg, serves both the local community of 3,000 residents and visitors from Maine, Canada, and beyond. As a gateway to the White Mountains, the park needs improved access and educational signage highlighting its significance. A needs assessment by the AMC Trails Department identified severe erosion on key trails, posing risks to both wildlife and visitors. The proposed work includes: installing timber steps and retaining structures on the 200-foot Climber Access Trail, adding 50 timber check-steps and a 30-step staircase on the 1,000-foot Summit Trail, and closing and restoring 160 feet of redundant, eroded trail.
Stewards of Western Maine Climbing: Stewards of Western Maine Climbing LCO start-up
Stewards of Western Maine Climbing (SWMC) was created to support and protect the region’s climbing resources. Despite a growing climbing community, no local organization has existed to maintain crags and foster landowner relations. SWMC aims to fill this gap by promoting community involvement and sustainable practices to keep these spaces safe, accessible, and preserved for future generations. Grant funding will go toward nonprofit startup costs and tools for initial projects at several Bethel crags, with a focus on erosion control at Bald Bluff.
South Central Pennsylvania Climbers: Pennsylvania Climbing Advocacy Summit
The Pennsylvania Climbing Advocacy Summit, hosted by the state’s three major LCOs—Southwestern PA Climbers Coalition, South Central Pennsylvania Climbers, and Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers—will bring together climbing advocates for a weekend of learning and networking at Stone Mountain Adventures in Donation, PA. This first-of-its-kind event will connect LCO leaders, ambassadors, and key members to discuss shared challenges, explore solutions, and hear from experts on climbing best practices, conservation, land stewardship, and economic impact. Sessions include presentations, roundtables, and discussions with land managers, biologists, government officials, and climbers.
