Rumney Climbers Association

10/19/2022

PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB AT RUSSELL CRAGS FOR THE TIME BEING.

PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Woodstock owns and manages this land and has expressed numerous concerns related to climbing activity on the property including liability, compatibility with deed restrictions, increased use levels, and ultimately that the area was established and promoted without prior engagement with the Town of Woodstock. All of these concerns add up to a serious access issue and local climbers, the Access Fund, and the RCA are in communication with the Town in an effort address the concerns that have been raised. The Town of Woodstock Conservation Commission has requested that climbers not climb at Russell Crag until the issues raised are addressed. Access Fund and the Rumney Climbers’ Association support this request as we work in good faith towards resolving the concerns raised by town officials and residents.

If you are interested in learning more about the situation there will be a conference call this evening 10/19/22 at 6:30 951-797-1058 code: 232751

10/23/2021

It has been pointed out to me that the post we put up about the Pound being closed for the foreseeable future could com off as the RCA giving up on the mission. This is far from the truth! RCA representatives continue to work on the issue. Abiding by the closure is one way that you can help us fight for access to the area. Another is to make a donation to the RCA. We appreciate your support and patience. We all want The Pound to be reopened but it is a delicate process. Photo:

10/23/2021

The Pound is closed. This climbing area is on private land. The RCA has engaged with the landowner and the closure is non-negotiable at this time.

The land is clearly posted as closed. Do not climb on land that is closed to climbing.

06/02/2021

We're so proud to be recognized by Access Fund with a Climbing Advocate Award. 2020 was such a strange year but a great year to reconnect with the wilderness that keeps us all sane. Keep climbing everyone and thank you for all of your support!

We're proud to announce the recipients of the 2020 Climbing Advocate Awards. For over 20 years, Access Fund has been recognizing the outstanding work of climbing advocates across the country. Among this year’s honorees are rockstar community builders, climbing stewards, equitable access leaders,.....

03/23/2021

Our friends down in Pawtuckaway have organized a climber clean up day. When the community comes together to make our shared resources better it can only have a positive effect. Contact jed with questions or to get involved! Jedidiah Piotte

03/17/2021

Warning! Ice is on its way out and rock is coming into condition. On one hand this is awesome and exciting. On the other it opens climbers up to dangers they my not be used to. Please be careful of falling ice out there. There will be car sized blocks coming off of some of the bigger ice flows. There was already a helicopter evac due to an ice fall injury. Keep aware of your surroundings, wear a helmet and play it cautious.

09/25/2020

The town of Rumney has a fire ban in effect. If you're headed to Rumney this weekend, please don't plan on having a campfire!

It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in the White Mountains! Just a reminder that due to the lack of rain in the region, the fire danger remains high and a burn ban has been issued for the state. Have fun, be safe, and visit responsibly. 📷: .gstjohn (Northern Presidentials)

06/29/2020

Great News! Rumney will reopen for climbing on July 6th! We at the RCA thank you for your patience as we worked with our partners to get you all back to your favorite crags. Please see the guidelines below which are important to returning safely to Rumney climbing. Please remember that the pandemic is not over. Care must be taken while climbing as much as anywhere else. Enjoy the 4th of July holiday and we will see you soon after.

-If you are not feeling well or you have a fever, stay home and come back after you are well.
-Please limit your group size to you and your climbing partner. Keep your group size as small as possible.
-Park only in Forest Service designated parking areas, respect no parking areas along Buffalo Road.
Do not use overflow parking areas, such as in the center of the Town of Rumney. Instead have a back-up plan to go somewhere else if the Rumney Climbing area lots are full.
-When you arrive, please wear a face covering in the parking area and on your hike to your climb. Same when you depart.
-Please use the toilet facilities at home before you arrive when possible. Try to make an effort to limit your toilet use at Rumney Climbing area if possible.
-Clean and sanitize your personal climbing gear prior to arrival if you’re planning to share it.
-If you are visiting local shops or businesses, wear a face mask and use hand sanitizer and be respectful of their guidelines.
-Don’t blow on climbing holds to clean them – use a brush instead.
-Pack in and pack out all of your trash.
-Recreation Fees will be required – bring $5.00 cash per vehicle if planning to purchase a pass on site and something to write with to fill out the pass.

thank you all in advance for being conscientious visitors to New England's favorite sport climbing destination.

Photo: Lee Hansche.
Climber: Tim Green on Coral Sea

06/28/2020

Hey guys, here is a video outlining some etiquette that will be important for safely and respectfully visiting Rumney once it reopens. This is a collaboration between numerous organizations and businesses who have the climbers and residents of Rumney’s best interest in mind.

Though no solid date has been released we are getting closer. Thank you for your continued patience. We look forward to seeing you all, dispersed between the crags, at Rumney soon.

White Mountain National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/whitemountain/alerts-notices Rumney Climbers Association: https://www.climbrumney.com Access F...

06/12/2020

Here’s an update on the situation at Rumney.

On Thursday, June 11, representatives of the White Mountain National Forest, RCA, Access Fund, and American Alpine Club held another conference call regarding climbing at Rumney Rocks. The key points covered in this call are:

The WMNF is close to having a plan for reopening climbing access. You can tentatively expect to hear the plan in the next few weeks. That might change. We’ll keep you posted.

Climbing access won’t be open before July 4th — but it won’t be too long afterwards. When the USFS shares a solid date with us, we’ll sing it from the rooftops.

The parking lot pit toilets will be open and sanitized often.

Parking is going to be limited, and overflow parking isn’t going to be available at the AAC campground or at the Rumney library. You have to have a backup crag if you arrive in Rumney and the parking lot is full.

While the USFS is putting the finishing touches on their plan, the RCA is working on an educational initiative to help climbers manage COVID risk as they return to the crags. We are going to need a lot of volunteers to help get the word out to climbers as they pass the trailhead. If you’ve been offering to help, now is the time to step up and volunteer. Send us a PM if you’re willing to help - it guarantees you a parking spot, for what that’s worth !!!

06/08/2020

We still have no firm updates on when Rumney will reopen to climbing, but we would like to release the following information to the climbing community: The RCA recommends reopening Rumney to climbers when New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu ends the current "Stay at Home" orders. The RCA is committed to providing education and advice to climbers about social distancing while climbing, community transmission, and our impacts to the communities we impact when we return to Rumney Rocks.

Please know that:
1. We are working closely with the WMNF and Access Fund to develop a plan for reopening.
2. All recreational access at Rumney remains closed, including the Pound bouldering area (privately-owned). The WMNF may issue fines of up to $5,000 for a single person, or $10,000 per group, to violators of the closures - to include hiking or climbing.
3. The RCA consists of 8 volunteer board members and exists to ensure continued access to climbing at Rumney while maintaining stakeholder and community relationships. The RCA no longer owns any property or climbing areas and does not have the authority to open or close access to climbing at Rumney.