NEWS RELEASE
Bolton Quarry Protected for Climbing
DATE: December 21, 2004
CONTACT: Heather Furman, (802) 229-0140 or Nicole Ballinger (802) 863-0130
Bolton, VT – The Climbing Resource Access Group of Vermont (CRAG-VT) closed on its purchase of a parcel known as the Bolton Quarry on December 20th. Located in the Town of Bolton, this 30-acre parcel includes cliffs with stunning vertical ice pillars for winter ice climbing and aesthetically pleasing rock climbs. CRAG-VT’s acquisition of the Quarry is the first land conservation purchase specifically for rock and ice climbing in Vermont—and one of only a couple in the United States.
“We are thrilled to have accomplished this goal,” said CRAG-VT President Heather Furman. “Creating climbing opportunities in Vermont is critical. With limited public resources, CRAG-VT focuses on the variety of tools available for protecting private land and helps private landowners keep their property open to climbers.”
Funding for the Bolton Quarry acquisition was provided by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB), the Vermont Recreation Trails Grant Program, The Access Fund, Climb High, and CRAG-VT members.
The Quarry will be permanently protected for climbing and recreation under a conservation easement held by the Vermont Land Trust and VHCB. CRAG-VT has drafted an interim management plan, and will improve the road access, create a parking area, and build a small information kiosk next spring. CRAG-VT will also communicate with neighboring landowners to discuss their concerns regarding the Quarry management. Until work is done on the Quarry parking, CRAG-VT advises climbers to carpool, park at the bottom of Green Mountain Drive, and not block any driveways.
“Landowner relations and natural resource protection are important to CRAG-VT,” said Nicole Ballinger, CRAG-VT Board Member. “We encourage both landowners and climbers to contact us with concerns about climbing access and natural resource issues.”
CRAG-VT is non-profit membership organization that works for access and conservation of Vermont climbing resources—both rock and ice. CRAG-VT owns one other property for climbing access, the Lower West Bolton cliff, which was donated to the organization in 2003. For more information, visit www.cragvt.org or call Heather Furman at (802) 229-0140. |
