Adopt-a-Crag Day with the Gunks Climbers' Coalition

Bonticou Crag is the northern most outcropping of the Shawangunk Ridge. Isolated from the other cliffs of the ridge by the Kleine Kill and the Rondout Creek, Bonticou rises nearly vertically above the valley affording almost 360 degrees of views including the Wallkill Valley, the rest of the Shawangunk Ridge, and the Catskill Mountains.
Both hiking and climbing to the top of the crag are immensely popular. This can result in “loving it to death.”
On Saturday, April 29, the Gunks Climbers’ Coalition, an advocacy group dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable opportunities for responsible climbing along the Shawangunk Ridge and surrounding areas, is hosting an Adopt-a-Crag day at Bonticou.
The mission is to remove trash stuck in the talus slope of the favorite trail Bonticou Crag Ascent Path, and re-blaze the trail. Volunteers will meet at the Spring Farm Trailhead parking lot, Mohonk Preserve at 9 am, the trailhead is on Upper 27 Knolls Road, off of Mohonk Road, about a mile down the hill from the Mohonk Mountain House Entrance, and work until about 1 pm.
Bring water, lunch, work gloves, and climbing gear to climb on Bonticou afterward.
The Preserve is giving a free day pass to volunteers.
There is no guidebook, but you can hike to the top of the crag to set up top ropes and just try stuff. The rock is beautiful and high quality.
The GCC Spring BBQ is that same evening. Land stewardship, climbing, and a party all in one day.
RSVP to the GCC if you’re coming. Trash bags and bottle-stabbing/ trash pick-up poles will be provided.
In 2016 the GCC members put in work on the bolted anchor project replacing old bolts and installing new ones in place of old soft anchors.
Ongoing projects include expanding access to climbing at Minnewaska State Park and the Dickie Barre area and the Waterworks Bouldering access. Read more on the GCC website
Both hiking and climbing to the top of the crag are immensely popular. This can result in “loving it to death.”
On Saturday, April 29, the Gunks Climbers’ Coalition, an advocacy group dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable opportunities for responsible climbing along the Shawangunk Ridge and surrounding areas, is hosting an Adopt-a-Crag day at Bonticou.
The mission is to remove trash stuck in the talus slope of the favorite trail Bonticou Crag Ascent Path, and re-blaze the trail. Volunteers will meet at the Spring Farm Trailhead parking lot, Mohonk Preserve at 9 am, the trailhead is on Upper 27 Knolls Road, off of Mohonk Road, about a mile down the hill from the Mohonk Mountain House Entrance, and work until about 1 pm.
Bring water, lunch, work gloves, and climbing gear to climb on Bonticou afterward.
The Preserve is giving a free day pass to volunteers.
There is no guidebook, but you can hike to the top of the crag to set up top ropes and just try stuff. The rock is beautiful and high quality.
The GCC Spring BBQ is that same evening. Land stewardship, climbing, and a party all in one day.
RSVP to the GCC if you’re coming. Trash bags and bottle-stabbing/ trash pick-up poles will be provided.
In 2016 the GCC members put in work on the bolted anchor project replacing old bolts and installing new ones in place of old soft anchors.
Ongoing projects include expanding access to climbing at Minnewaska State Park and the Dickie Barre area and the Waterworks Bouldering access. Read more on the GCC website