Bolton Dome
Guidebook: Vermont Rock, by Travis Peckham
Mountain Project: Bolton Dome
The Climbing: The Bolton Dome is a schist climbing area featuring dozens of high-quality crack and sport climbs. With a short approach and great variety of grades, this is probably the most popular cliff in Vermont. Beginner multi-pitch sport and trad climbing from 5.3-5.7, a wall full of 5.12 sport, and plenty of 5.10s and 11s all stacked up 5 minutes from the parking lot. South-facing and at a low elevation, The Bolton Dome is a wonderful early season choice, although by mid-summer it’s often far too warm outside of early mornings and late afternoons.
Don’t Miss: Little Wolf (5.2), Country Doctor’s Ramble (5.3), Work Shoes (5.7), Crushdependence (5.8), Jagged Edge (5.9), Senderista (10a), Lichenology (10a), Turk Turk Mcgurk (10d), Joint Warfare (11a), Release the Hens (11c), The Awesomest (11d), Of Mice and Zen (12a), Before the Dawn (12a), Crimes of Omission (12b), Be Gay Do Crime (13a)
Access Story: Closed to climbing for decades, Bolton Dome reopened in 2017 when CRAG-VT purchased the property with the support of a $356,000 Access Fund loan. It remains CRAG-VT’s largest climbing area acquisition and is now permanently protected for conservation and public recreation. CRAG-VT also secured seasonal parking access for climbers by leasing use of a neighboring landowner’s parking area.
Working alongside the Access Fund and leaders of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, CRAG-VT helped establish conservation easement language that recognizes and protects access for the greater Abenaki People. The easement supports cultural, educational, and traditional uses, including the gathering of foods, medicines, and natural materials. Read more.
Bolton Dome continues to be one of CRAG-VT’s most significant stewardship projects. Beyond the property purchase, CRAG-VT has invested an estimated $100,000 in property assessments, legal services, conservation easement establishment, and related costs. The project will continue to require long-term stewardship and community involvement now that the climbing area has reached its full potential.
Thank You to Our Partners: Bolton Dome exists because of the generosity of many partners and supporters. CRAG-VT is grateful for major support from the Access Fund, The Conservation Alliance, Outdoor Gear Exchange, and the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, along with the many individual donors whose contributions helped protect this remarkable climbing resource for future generations.
Historical Context: Historically known as Trailer Park Crag, Bolton Dome was the area’s most popular cliff in the 70s and 80s. However, it was closed to climbing in 1990 due to the private landowners’ concerns about public use of their property. This closure was a driving force in the formation of CRAG-VT, as it underscored the need to permanently protect climbing access.
Over the years, local climbing advocate and CRAG-VT board member Richard Katzman stayed in contact with the landowners. In the summer of 2017, they agreed to consider an offer from CRAG-VT before listing the property on the open market. To save Bolton Dome, CRAG-VT purchased the entire 48-acre parcel, including the 2-acre house site that was later subdivided and resold.
