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Thank you for those of you who helped make the Ontario Crags calendar fund-raising drive a success!  This project raised over $1,700 towards supporting sustainable climbing access initatives in the province.

It has recently been brought to our attention that dates for the month of July are incorrect on the OAC 2012 Crags Calendar.  The printing company has kindly offered to correct the misunderstanding free of charge and a limited edition of corrected calendars are currently available for exchange at the Toronto MEC. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope this results in many accidental extended climbing vacations being booked!

On Friday, October 18, OAC volunteers presented to the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Spaces System (NEPOSS) Council.  The presentation represented a significant opportunity for the climbing community to reach out to a large group of conservation land managers ranging from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks, Conservation Authorities, the Niagara Park Commission,, municipalities, the Ontario Heritage Trust, Bruce Trail Conservancy and Parks Canada.  The presentation introduced the mission and objectives of the Ontario Access Coalition (OAC), identified collaborative projects between the OAC and NEPOSS Council members, and  promoted climbing and its management as an environmentally sustainable activity.

To become more familiar with the NEPOSS Council, please visit their website at http://www.niagaraescarpmentontario.ca/     

The following  is a brief introduction to the NEPOSS Council: 

The NEPOSS Council is organized to advance the NEPOSS objectives identified in the Niagara Escarpment Plan. It was created in recognition of a need to foster dialogue on NEPOSS issues and improve liaison, shared resources, and coordinated action among various NEPOSS agencies.            

The Council provides advice to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) on NEPOSS policies and programs and bring awareness to Council issues.

 Key Council Responsibilities include:

• Providing effective leadership for coordinated park management and stewardship
• Protecting natural and cultural heritage features of NEPOSS
• Supporting the growth of NEPOSS through land securement initiatives
• Building strong relationships with key stakeholders to address common park and open space issues and interests
• Working together to provide an interconnected system of trails and educational and recreational opportunities

With the goal in mind of  educating Council members on climbing management, the presentation encouraged incorporating climbing as an environmentally compatible activity where appropriate on the Niagara Escarpment through sharing best practices and case studies of access successes in the province.

The response to the presentation was very encouraging and the presentation was well received.   Discussions revealed that several Council members had climbing experience ranging from climbing at Buffalo Crag, years of climbing gym membership, to South American glacier travel.

 Both the OAC and the NEPOSS Council will be posting copies of the presentation on their respective websites. The OAC looks forward to continuing to work with the Council and its members in the near future.

A big thanks to the OAC volunteers who took time out of their personal obligations to research, create and deliver the presentation on behalf of the climbing community.

Check out  http://www.niagaraparksnature.com/things-to-do/bouldering.html for the latest information on the new bouldering program at the Niagara Glen!

Details from the Niagara Parks Nature website:  Bouldering Permits will be available for purchase ($20 fee and signed waiver required) at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre (previously known as The Feather in the Glen), located at 3050 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario.  Permits can also be purchased at the Butterfly Conservatroy, located at 2565 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Completed waiver forms must be signed and returned to either the Nature Centre or the Butterfly Conservatory for verification. 

Please have photo ID with you when submitting your form.

The following is a list of resources you can download relating to bouldering in the Niagara Glen:

• Bouldering Waiver Form
• List of Rules
• Map of Sanctioned Trails and Closed Boulders (COMING SOON!!)

The second annual general meeting of the Ontario Access Coalition was hosted on June 15 at True North climbing gym. A good turnout from the climbing community was in attendance that evening despite the meeting coinciding with the final game of the Stanley Cup. The law firm of Blakes, Cassels and Graydon provided their expertise at the event ensuring proper formal protocols for a fair and equitable election process. The event saw several changes to the members of the board.

Departing board members Jeremy Nathan and Loïc Markley dedicated a great deal of their personal time in the last year to help climbing access. If you see them at the crag or the gym please remember to thank them for their positive and constructive contribution to access efforts. Thank you Loïc and Jeremy for all of the help!

New to the board this year is Renu Monica Chattha. Over the last year, Renu has made huge contributions to the OAC in terms of building relationships with land mangers and local community stakeholders in the Beaver Valley, Collingwood, and on the Bruce Peninsula. Renu is knowledgeable and passionate about access and is an active member in the local community around her home of Flesherton.

The excitement during the formal elections at the AGM was the close race for the open Director position. Rio Penabella and Justin Dwyer were both nominated for the position. Justin has provided invaluable information on escarpment endangered species and continues to assist with Mount Nemo access. While Rio, using his social media expertise, has set-up and continues to spearhead the OAC’s social media presence in order to help the OAC reach out to the climbing community. The 15-14 vote turned out in favour of Rio. With such a close vote, the OAC board has invited Justin to attend and contribute at board meetings going forward. With the initiative and drive Justin shows in the community, we are sure he is ready for the challenge.

Unfortunately, a number of individuals showed up late to the meeting and missed the vote, while others arrived with the expectation they could become members that night and immediately vote. Like many charities and not-for-profit organizations, the OAC is required to approve new membership and does so during regular meetings. For the 2012 AGM the OAC will look to ensure that this is clearly communicated to help avoid this issue in the future.

At the end of the formal proceedings a lengthy question period ensued where the Board reviewed the 2011 OAC goals with the attendees (Click HERE to see the 2011 OAC Goals). Lots of great ideas flowed as the current state of Ontario climbing access, and the strategy and reasoning driving OAC actions were discussed. The OAC is looking to add an FAQ section to our webpage to address common questions, and concerns. We continue to ask for the assistance of you, the climbers of Ontario, to identify and inform the OAC of developing issues. Volunteers, as before, are needed for special projects, and we encourage members possessing leadership and initiative to check out our volunteer section here: http://www.ontarioaccesscoalition.com/join/volunteers/.

Following the meeting and question period, a portion of the Madaleine Sorkin “Mad Tour” film and slide show was presented, despite the last minute absence of Madaleine herself due unforeseen circumstances. A big, sincere “THANK YOU” to everyone from the climbing community who took the time to come out to the AGM. We hope to see you at the crag!

Halfway Log Dump- site hosts 2011
Another great season of bouldering at Halfway Log Dump is here. So many people are asking how they can help the OAC keep crags open. Well, this is your chance to help!

The OAC and Bruce Peninsula National Park are looking for help from the climbing community in the form of volunteer weekend Site Hosts.  Site Hosts, like a Camp host act as stewards or Caretakers for the area during their time volunteering. The Site Host program was a huge success in 2010. and we are asking again for the support of the climbing community for volunteers for 2011. If you want to help access efforts and become a Site Host for a weekend click here to fill in the volunteer application.

The OAC has updated the popular and free bouldering guide for 2011. The guide this year features more problems, more projects, more pictures, and better topos. If you download this guide we hope that you will take the time to become an OAC member, or make donation if you already are a member. Click HERE to download the new “2011 HWLD Interpretive bouldering guide”.  You can print this guide to for a cool guidebook.

What’s a Site Host do?
Site hosts act as the ambassador for Halfway Log Dump while they volunteer. The host acts to ensure everyone is having a good time, communicates the rules that are in place, points the endangered Lakeside Daisy, explains bouldering to curious tourists, and of course knows all the beta on every problem
These honoured volunteers will receive luxurious pre-paid parking ($11.70 per day) courtesy of Bruce Peninsula National Park, the thanks and respect of their fellow climbers, and the knowledge that you did something for the sport you love!

Who makes a good site host?
If you like to boulder outside, can get yourself to the Bruce Peninsula, and are interested in helping access in Ontario you would be a great site host.

I would like to help, but I have never been to Halfway Log Dump. Can I still volunteer as a site host?
It might be your first visit or your hundred and first visit to Halfway Log Dump. This honour is still open to you. We can tell you what you need to know. It’s not hard. You can put it on your resume and land that promotion you’ve been after.

But if I go there I want to focus on climbing
The time commitment of site host at the boulders is minimal and can be incorporated into a regular day out easily. You will be walking by other boulderers and they will be walking by you. Talking other boulders you may discover that they know something you don’t about the latest lines, newest beta, local weather, local dining, local plants, your future spouse, etc.