Preserve Upper West!
CRAG-VT has received approval from landowners and the Bolton Select Board to subdivide and purchase Upper West Bolton Cliff, one of Vermont’s most popular and historic climbing areas. It features sport climbs, traditional climbs, ice climbs, an exceptional boulder field and routes ranging in difficulty from 5.2 to 5.12. With exceptional views, four-season hiking and a treasure trove of botanical specimens, it is truly an area for everyone.
Upper West has been one of the most highly valued climbing areas in our community for decades. With your help, CRAG-VT will purchase and protect this land forever.
√ Classic climbs for everyone
Generations of climbers have enjoyed this fantastic crag. For over 40 years everyone from absolute beginners to climbing legends have become a part of the cliff’s colorful history.
John Bouchard cut his teeth on the green schist of Upper West before establishing himself as one of our country’s most accomplished alpinists while attending the University of Vermont in the 1970s. Bouchard made an
indelible mark when he established The Rose (5.10a) and The Thorn (5.11a); routes that have become two of the most treasured northwestern Vermont classics. These routes clearly represent some of the best crack climbing the northeast has to offer.
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Photo: Paul Hansen |
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Upper West would be worth acquiring to protect The Rose and The Thorn alone, but the 200’ tall cliff hosts dozens of great climbs. Classics like Chockstone (5.8) and the 5.7 Corner (5.7) are among the areas best moderate trad climbs with good protection, fantastic rock, and amazing views. More recent contributions to the cliff have included excellent sport climbs ranging from the popular romp Private Property (5.8+) to powerful cranking on Oompa Loompa (5.12a).
√ Don’t risk future closures
In the recent past, Upper West Bolton Cliff has been closed to climbing. A decade ago, future CRAG-VT board members worked with landowners to restore access to the cliff. CRAG-VT has maintained positive relationships with the landowners since then and we are now in a position to ensure permanent conservation by acquiring the cliff.
We must take advantage of this opportunity; someday this land will change hands and access will again be at risk. Successful completion of this project guarantees that Upper West Bolton Cliff cannot be closed to climbing and recreational use in the future; we have an amazing opportunity before us that may never come again and we need to act now.
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Photo: Travis Peckham |
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√ More than just climbing
Putting aside its obvious value as a rock climbing resource, Upper West is an important conservation target for many reasons. Here are just a few:
- Hiking trails provide a great summit destination for walkers in the adjacent Preston Pond Conservation area.
- The ridge-top provides wonderful views of Mount Mansfield, Camel’s Hump and the beaver ponds that extend down the Bolton Notch valley.
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The red pine community at the top of Resin Ridge has been identified by the Vermont Natural Heritage program as a very rare, statewide-significant natural community and an important conservation target.
- Snowshoeing, skiing and bird watching are only a few of the activities CRAG-VT is working to ensure.
√ Get involved!
CRAG-VT is working to mobilize local climbers and outdoor enthusiasts to participate in fundraising and project awareness efforts. We need your support! Please contact us if you have a fundraising idea, would like make a donation, or if you can volunteer your time to make this project a success. Climb Local! Preserve Upper West! |
