Getting to the Crags
Developing and maintaining climbing areas involves passing on foot through Vermont’s beautiful forests and sometimes brushing a bit of moss or rock tripe from a hold. But there is an important distinction between minor climbing-related cleaning and altering the surrounding landscape in an impactful way.
Cutting trees, clearing substantial vegetation, constructing or rerouting trails, or significantly modifying the base of a cliff should never be done without permission from the landowner or land manager.
This applies to established climbing areas as well as cliffs that are being explored or developed for the first time.
What Is Generally Appropriate?
When preparing or maintaining an established climb, limited cleaning may be reasonable. This can include:
- Brushing loose dirt or debris from holds.
- Removing small amounts of moss or lichen, such as rock tripe, where necessary to make a route climbable.
- Modest removal of loose material that might present an immediate safety concern.
- Removal of sticks and deadfall on an existing path without expanding or relocating it.
The goal should always be to do the minimum necessary while preserving the natural character of the cliff and surrounding area.
What Requires Permission?
Do not undertake significant vegetation removal or trail work on your own.
Examples include:
- Cutting or removing trees or saplings.
- Cutting shrubs or substantial amounts of vegetation.
- Clearing large areas at the base of a cliff.
- Creating a new trail or approach.
- Rerouting, widening, benching, or substantially modifying an existing trail.
- Building steps, retaining structures, bridges, drainage features, or other trail infrastructure.
- Clearing vegetation to expose or create additional climbing terrain.
Even when this work appears beneficial to climbers, the landowner or land manager may have environmental, recreational, cultural, or management reasons for leaving an area undisturbed.
If the work involves a saw, axe, shovel, significant cutting, or substantial alteration of the landscape, stop and get permission first.
Why This Matters
Climbing access in Vermont depends on relationships with private landowners, public agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities.
Unauthorized tree cutting, vegetation removal, or trail construction can damage natural resources and undermine those relationships. On public land, unauthorized work may also violate state or land-management regulations and can result in enforcement actions or fines.
Just as importantly, the actions of one climber can affect access for everyone. Work undertaken without permission can jeopardize existing climbing access or make landowners and agencies less willing to allow future climbing and stewardship projects.
A well-intentioned project can still cause serious access problems if it has not been authorized.
Before Doing Trail or Vegetation Work
If you see a trail problem, an overgrown cliff base, hazardous vegetation, or an opportunity to improve an approach, please contact CRAG-VT before doing the work yourself.
We can help determine who owns or manages the property, whether permission is required, and whether the work can be coordinated with the landowner or land-management agency.
Many worthwhile climbing-area improvements are possible when they are planned and authorized. The important thing is to have that conversation before cutting, clearing, digging, or building.
Permanent Installations
Do not build permanent structures or installations at climbing areas without permission from the landowner or land manager. This includes bouldering landing platforms, camping platforms, bridges, stairs, shelters, retaining walls, and similar structures. Even small improvements can alter the landscape or create management and maintenance issues. When in doubt, contact CRAG-VT before building.
When in Doubt, Leave It Alone
Responsible climbing stewardship is not about making every cliff or approach as clear and convenient as possible. Sometimes the best stewardship decision is to leave vegetation, trees, and terrain exactly as they are.
Brush lightly. Minimize your impact. Get permission before making lasting changes.
Protecting the landscape protects climbing access.