Halfway Log Dump- site hosts 2012

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 2011, so the OAC and the Park are looking again for volunteers for 2012. If you want to help access efforts and become a Site Host for a weekend  click HERE to fill in the volunteer application.

The guide for halfway Log Dump is available for FREE from the OAC. If you download this guide we hope that you will take the time to become an OAC member, or make a donation if you are already a member. Click HERE to download the “2011 HWLD Interpretive bouldering guide” (and guidebook).

What does a Site Host do?
Site hosts act as ambassadors for Halfway Log Dump while they volunteer. They ensure everyone is having a good time, communicate the rules that are in place, point out the endangered Lakeside Daisy, explain bouldering to curious tourists and, of course, know all the beta on every problem.

These honoured volunteers will receive free camping!!! (as available), luxurious pre-paid parking ($11.70 per day), and free volunteer apparel. This is all courtesy of Bruce Peninsula National Park. A thanks to those of you who volunteer from your fellow climbers for stepping up to help out 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.

Yeah, but, if I go there I want to focus on climbing

The time commitment of site host at the boulders is minimal and can easily be incorporated into a regular day at the crag. You will be walking by other boulderers and they will be walking by you. In talking to other boulderers, you may discover that they know something you don’t about the latest lines, new beta, local weather, best dining, local plants, or a shortcut home.

The OAC just stopped by Kelso and confirmed that climbing at Kelso is indeed closed until the construction of the huge new ski lift is complete (estimated completion Nov 2012). The OAC asks that people respect the temporary closure (from any access point)! Note – we are making follow up inquiries to see if the park will allow access from the upper lot. Photo at the Kelso North gate:

This spring, the Ontario Access Coalition helped organize and run three separate events in support of sustainable climbing. Thank you to the many volunteers who took time out of their lives and put in some work to give back to the climbing areas we love. Thank you Niagara Parks, Conservation Halton, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Friends of the Glen, Free Spirit Tours, Blue Mountain Landscaping, True North Climbing, Patagonia, and of course Mountain Equipment Co-op for working with climbers to make these events a success.

Saturday April 21 Niagara Glen Earth Day with “Friends of the Glen”, The Niagara Parks Commission, the Niagara Parks Police, the Niagara Falls Nature Club, and Leave No Trace, the second annual “Earth Day at the Glen” took place under less then ideal conditions. Volunteers planted new trees and helped educate boulderers and other visitors about sustainable bouldering practices.  The Niagara Glen is an undeniable treasure trove of natural beauty. The rugged terrain masks a much more sensitive side that needs our help. Approximately 490 species of vulnerable plants and animals call the Glen home and an unprecedented number of them are listed as either “at risk” or “rare” in the province, one of the largest concentrations anywhere in Ontario.

Sunday May 6, Conservation Halton Invasive Species Removal “Garlic Pull – For the second year in a row climbers pulled hard to make another dent into the spread of the invasive plant “Garlic Mustard” at Rattlesnake Point. A free BBQ courtesy of the OAC followed along with a prize draw of tonnes of great gear courtesy of the always amazing MEC. Mark Smith won a fierce silent auction bidding war for a Nano Puff jacket courtesy of Patagonia. Afternoon conditions were perfect and volunteers were treated to a great day at the crag

Sunday May 27 Metcalfe Rock “Clean and Climb” with Free Spirit Tours – For the second year in a row the OAC has been fortunate enough to participate in Free Spirit Tours “Clean and Climb” event at Metcalfe rock in the Kolopore Uplands. The event saw a simply massive trailer full of cedar mulch transported to the cliff base and trails to help protect the roots of trees. Volunteers, fueled by hot coffee and donuts courtesy of True North Climbing Gym managed to spread the entire contents of the trailer along the muddy trails, which are prone to erosion.  The event finished with a prize draw for items donated by local businesses and the always amazing MEC. After refueling (with more coffee of course) some great times at the cliff and on the trails followed.

If you didn’t get a chance to make it to one of these events you can do your part by being a good steward for sustainable climbing, following these “Leave No Trace”  practices and encouraging other climbers to do the same.