We are absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of the OAC Bolt Fund!
This exciting new initiative is designed to directly support the incredible route developers who work tirelessly to keep our outdoor climbing areas safe and sustainable.
The Bolt Fund will help cover the costs of replacing old or worn-out bolts and anchors, ensuring the longevity of our favourite climbs.
How you can get involved:
Are you a route developer? Learn how to apply for reimbursement for your essential gear by reading our Bolt Fund Initiative Overview. We’re also launching a new way for you to Report Bad Bolts! If you see hardware on a route that needs some attention, and feel ill equipped to remedy it yourself, report it to us!
The Spring Fling is a day spent contributing to crag maintenance and strengthening our relationship with Conservation Halton. We’ll spend the morning picking up trash, celebrate our hard work with lunch, and then spend the afternoon climbing. Register now to participate in this day of giving back to the climbing community!
Sunday, June 8th, we’ll be picking up trash at two crags just like last year – Rattlesnake Point, and Mount Nemo!
Come join us in this day of giving back, meet some new climbing friends, and enjoy the sunshine! This event is open to all ages — and yes, we can sign volunteer forms for anyone trying to log volunteer hours š
If you subscribe to our newsletter, you should have received our 2024 Winter Occasional recently, with a recap of the year. Did you miss it? Here’s what happened!
2024 Climber Survey
Every year we put out a survey to learn about the everchanging climbing community. We launched our annual survey at the end of November, and weāre keeping it open until January 3rd. Help us get to know you better, so we can represent you better!
Click here to fill out the survey now. You could be a winner!
Ewan W. and Taryn K. were the lucky respondents randomly selected to win $50 MEC gift cards for filling out the survey. We will have another prize drawing on January 3rd for some OAC t-shirts, so make sure you fill it out now if you havenāt yet! It only takes 5 minutes =)
2024 OAC Annual General Meeting
This year’s AGM was held in November, and saw us elect Tori Silvera and Tyler Coffin as the OACās newest Directors. Congratulations, and welcome to the Board!
Welcome our newest Directors, Tori and Tyler!
Please join us in extending a big thank you to Randy Kielbasiewicz and Mike Makischuk for their many years of service on the Board. Keep an eye out for them on the wall!
We had 36 attendees for our virtual meeting, and covered highlights from crags across Ontario. Some notable news items include:
– The release times for Turtle Crag permit booking will move to 7pm in 2025 to better serve the majority of users. – A reminder that NO topouts at the Niagara Glen are permitted on any boulder, in order to preserve vegetation with increased climber traffic. – The OAC is working with the Alpine Club of Canada on options to improve access at Eagle’s Nest in Bancroft. – There has been a TON of new development in the Ottawa Region, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. Put these places on your list for next year!
You can watch the full recording of the AGM on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Volunteer with us!
Are you passionate about helping us secure access to climbing in Ontario? We’re always looking for more volunteers to help out! Right now we’re looking to fill a few specific volunteer roles:
Itās that time of year again!Ā Our call for photo submissions for the 2025 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 ā ICE, SPORT, TRAD and BOULDERING are all honoured here. Letās 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 8.5ā³x11ā³ 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.Ā Please consider donating a photo!Ā Send your best shots toĀ submissions@ontarioallianceofclimbers.caĀ by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13TH for a chance to be featured.Ā Chosen entrants will receive a free copy of the calendar, credit complete with name and website, and a little slice of local fame š
Just in time for the holidays, our 2024 Ontario Crags Calendar has arrived!
Featuring local climbers shot by local photographers, the OAC calendar is a tribute to everything Ontario climbing has to offer. With a mix of climbers, crags, and disciplines featured, there’s no better way to celebrate the growing Ontario climbing scene.
Calendars are available for a $25 donation each, plus shipping via Canada Post*.Ā Ā All proceeds from calendar sales go toward promoting, advocating for, and maintaining open access all across the province. Calendars are shipped in an untracked cardboard envelope for protection.
** Online sales are now SOLD OUT. Pick up a copy at a gym or retailer near you! They can be found at:
Save the Date: The OAC Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, November 7th, 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 24 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 22 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 7th.
Hope to seeĀ youĀ allĀ there!
Also, it’s that time of year again!
Photo submissions for the 2024 Ontario Crags Calendar are now OPEN!!
We’re looking for a variety of photos showcasing the diversity of Ontario climbing: different crags, different people, different seasons, different disciplines (ice, trad, sport, AND bouldering!). Show us what you got!
Submissions are open until the end of the month, closing at midnight on October 31. Send your photos to submissions@ontarioallianceofclimbers.ca. All entered photos will be subject to the full Terms of Submission, found below:
