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Our Letter Campaign is LIVE!

By Access

In response to the recent climbing closures by Ontario Parks, we’re asking you to take 5 minutes of your time to write a letter to government officials to help save climbing in Ontario.

We’re asking you to write David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as your local MPP.

Tell them to allow Ontarians to rock climb in our provincial parks! By doing so, they will help boost tourism, expand recreational opportunities, and collaboratively conserve and care for nature with the community.

Use our pre-written forms found at the campaign site, or copy and paste to send it directly from your own email for a greater impact.

We need EVERYONE on board for this. Fill it out, get everyone you know who climbs to fill it out, and then ask your friends and family to speak up on your behalf! We’ve made it as easy as possible for them to send a letter in just a few minutes.

Make sure you CC climbinparks@ontarioallianceofclimbers.ca on your email if you send it on your own! It’ll help us keep track of how many letters go out. We’ll also be raffling off prizes to campaign participants, and your CC’ed email will be your proof of participation!

Don’t wait, send an email now!

Write a letter at ClimbInParks.ca now!
June 12, 2023
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Devil’s Glen Update

By Access, News
Allow Climbing at Devil's Glen graphic depicting a raised fist holding a quickdraw. designed by Michelle Ang.
Graphic design credit goes to @michyllica ❤️

IMPORTANT ACCESS UPDATE ⚠️

There have been 10 signs posted at Devil’s Glen (6 at the top of the cliff, and 4 at the bottom of the cliff). The signs state ‘Protection Area / No Rock Climbing Here to Next Sign’, and were first noticed on Thursday May 11.

The signs span the climbs between Morning Star and the easy way down on climbers’ right, only on Ontario Parks managed land. Routes from Nutcracker to the west are not affected and not in park boundaries.

The Ontario Parks signs appeared without warning. Late Friday May 12, the OAC received both voicemail and email responses from our inquiries to Ontario Parks confirming that the new signage at Devil’s Glen is official, and was placed by their regional ecologist.

This is extremely disappointing. The OAC has been in regular meetings with Ontario Parks. We have repeatedly requested science-based evidence supporting any potential closures, and were informed by OP that a list of affected routes would be provided to us prior to any changes. We have received no such information.

Ontario Parks has repeatedly stated that they wish to work “collaboratively with the ON climbing community” — but these recent events run to the contrary. We are taking this violation of the terms of our proposed communications framework very seriously. Unilateral action of this nature is deeply concerning for the climbing community, and should be of grave concern for ALL recreation-based user groups.

We’re in the process of building a strategy to counter the recent closure by Ontario Parks of climbing routes at Devil’s Glen. We’ve requested the results of the environmental survey which Ontario Parks based their decision off of, and they have told us we can expect to receive the results before the end of the month.

Here’s what you can expect from us over the next two weeks:

  • We’ll be sending out a survey on the economic impact of climbing in Ontario. Keep an eye open for it and be sure to fill it out!
  • Patagonia Toronto will be hosting a screening of Stone Locals on May 25th — and we’ll be there! Come visit our table and talk to us in person.
  • We’ll be holding a town hall in early June (date TBD). This will be an important meeting for everyone concerned about the future of climbing at Devil’s Glen.

What can YOU do right NOW?

Stay up to date as we share news. Join the OAC if you’re not a member yet! And help us SPREAD THE WORD. Repost and share our messages to your socials. Tell your friends. Make sure *everyone* you climb with is aware of what’s going on.

Because this goes beyond Devil’s Glen. This has the potential to affect climbing access throughout all of Ontario.

#AllowClimbingAtDG

May 17, 2023
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2025 AGM Recap & Survey

By Access, Community

The Ontario climbing season is winding down. There’s no better time to reflect on what’s happened this year. Here’s what we’ve been up to!

Fill out our 2025 Climber Survey NOW!

Our annual survey was launched earlier this month to help us learn more about the Ontario climbing community. The more we know about you as a climber, the better we can represent you!

Complete our Survey

Complete the survey by midnight on November 30th to be entered into a draw to win a free OAC T-shirt 👕

2025 Bolt Fund Recap

This year we launched the OAC Bolt Fund to help offset the expense of maintaining existing routes. We received applications for reimbursement for gear on 71 routes across Ontario!

We’d like to send a big thank you to Crux Capital Corporation, who stepped up to fully fund our inaugural year of the Bolt Fund. Thank you to both Crux Capital and the routesetters who have put in the work to keep us safe ❤️

AGM Summary

The 2025 OAC AGM was held on November 5th. With OAC members joining from across the province, we held our elections for the Board of Directors. Congratulations to Mike Penney, Jeremy Fortier, and Jessica Best on being re-elected!

We also provided a recap on what we’ve been up to this year, and had guest speakers provide climbing access updates from across the province.

Miss the AGM? You can watch the full recording below.

You can access our financial report here:

oac-financials-2024Download

Enjoy the coming winter season!

We’ve got our fingers crossed for a good ice season 🤞

Until then, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of our 2026 Ontario Crags Calendar 👀 We’ll have it in time for holiday gifting!

November 23, 2025
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Climbing Etiquette at Conservation Halton Crags

By Access, Milton Area

As the climbing season starts to wind down, we’d like to take a moment to recognize crags where climbing is not only tolerated but celebrated! We’d also like to share some important reminders about climber responsibility and proper processes and procedures when climbing at Conservation Halton (CH) Parks (Mount Nemo, Kelso & Rattlesnake).

Most importantly, please remember that the addition of any permanent climbing hardware, creation of new routes, or modification of existing routes (or altering of/tampering with existing hardware) is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of CH. Should you have recommendations on routes or hardware installation, please contact the Ontario Alliance of Climbers (OAC) so that we can contact our partners at CH and discuss potential changes. Existing worn-out hardware which poses a safety risk may either be replaced or maintained, but new bolting on managed land requires land manager permission. You can report bad bolts online through our Report a Bad Bolt page, and we will ensure that this information reaches the appropriate people.

We address this matter following the discovery of recently added hardware that were installed without proper permissions. These actions can lead to the creation of unmanageable and possibly unsafe routes that could be detrimental to the environment and our climbing community.

CH is a valued partner to the climbing community and one of our best models for relationships with land managers. CH openly supports rock climbing at some of their parks — including many crags you’re familiar with such as Mount Nemo, Kelso, Rattlesnake Point, Bottle Glass and Buffalo Crag.

As good ambassadors for the outdoors, please climb responsibly and respect the land and its managers. CH works hard to protect these spaces for everyone’s enjoyment. Climbers can help by staying on established trails and climbing routes, minimizing their impact. CH staff are responsible for trail maintenance and site care. If you see a fallen tree or other vegetation hazard, please let us know so that we can request that it be addressed.

Thank you for helping protect access, preserve the environment, and keep our community safe!

November 13, 2025
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AGM Save the Date & Call for Board Member Candidates

By Community

The OAC Annual General Meeting will be held Wednesday, November 5th, at 7PM! We will once again be holding our AGM virtually.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions about our organization and to share input on our future direction. We’ll also be holding the election for board membership, talking about recent developments, and speaking about what’s on the horizon.

Details for the virtual meeting will be announced October 22nd via official email to all OAC members.

If you would like to run as a candidate for the board of directors, please submit your bio to info@ontarioallianceofclimbers.ca by end of day October 15th in order to have your bio included with the formal meeting announcement. You may also submit your name for the election during the meeting on November 5th.

Hope to see you all there!

October 5, 2025
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Submit your photos for the 2026 Ontario Crags Calendar NOW!

By Community, Fundraisers

It’s that time of year again!  Our call for photo submissions for the 2026 OAC Ontario Crags Calendar is now OPEN!!

The Ontario Crags Calendar aims to celebrate and highlight the wide variety of climbing that Ontario has to offer. We want to showcase everything from as many different crags, seasons, and climbers as possible — ICE, SPORT, TRAD and BOULDERING are all honoured here.  Let’s celebrate the diversity of our province and our community!  Valid photo submissions must have LANDSCAPE orientation (i.e. horizontal), and be of climbers at Ontario crags only (of course!).  In order to meet print standards, full size images must be clear and at least 8.5″x11″ at 300 dpi.

Submissions do not need to be dated from this year, but they DO need to showcase your love for Ontario climbing.  So make the most of this tail end of the season, or take some time to venture down memory lane and rediscover some forgotten gems!

The Crags Calendar helps us raise awareness and funds in support of Ontario access.  Please consider donating a photo!  Send your best shots to submissions@ontarioallianceofclimbers.ca by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH for a chance to be featured.  Chosen entrants will receive a free copy of the calendar, credit complete with name and website, and a little slice of local fame 

Please see additional rules of submission here:

Photograph Submission Rules for the 2026 OAC Ontario Crags CalendarDownload
October 3, 2025
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Ontario Parks Opens Comments on Formally Recognizing Climbing at Devil’s Glen

By Access, Beaver Valley, News

Congratulations, climbers! The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has heard your voices. Thanks to your letters and advocacy, they are proposing an amendment to the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park Management Plan that would formally recognize rock climbing at DG.

Amendment ERO 019_8238 is a massive milestone and a direct result of our collective action. The proposed amendment is open for public comment until September 19, 2025. Supportive comments are a vital part of the approval process — we need every climber to act now.

What You Can Do:

  1. Click here to visit the Environmental Registry website for Amendment 019-8238 (ERO 019-8238).
  2. Read the amendment overview—it’s short and accessible.
  3. Use your voice! Tell the Ministry why climbing matters to you.
    You can mention:
    • Your experiences at Devil’s Glen
    • Your commitment to conservation
    • Why you support a balanced approach to recreation
    • Looking for more ideas and examples? Check out ClimbInParks.ca for some suggestions!
  4. Hit “Submit.” That’s it. You’ve made a difference!

Your comment becomes part of the public record — and part of the decision-making process. Don’t underestimate the power of showing up. Everyone should comment: you don’t have to be a climber in order to have an opinion on this. Ask your friends and family to support you and your fight for access! Ask your neighbours to share their thoughts on balanced conservancy. Tell your out-of-town belay partners that they can help secure access to climbing in Ontario for their future visits.

Devil’s Glen is just the beginning. Amendment ERO 019-8238 lays the groundwork for partnerships with Ontario Parks that could open the door to more climbing opportunities across the province. A collaborative path forward starts here—with climbers supporting conservation while advocating for responsible access.

When you comment on this amendment, you’re not just protecting access at DG. You’re helping create a model that could support climbing at other provincial parks in the future. Let’s build this future together.

Support climbing in provincial parks.

Provide comments to support Amendment ERO 019-8238
August 14, 2025
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