Recap: Spring 2017 Adopt A Crag at Bonticou

This year’s Adopt a Crag, sponsored by the Access Fund and the Gunks Climbers’ Coalition, was held at Bonticou Crag at the Mohonk Preserve.

Ethan gives directions to the volunteers.

The volunteers hike to Bonticou Crag in the Mohonk Preserve. for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up.

Volunteers hiking to Bonticou Crag.

The volunteers at Bonticou Crag in the Mohonk Preserve. for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up.

Volunteers all assembled, ready to get to work!

One of the approaches is a rock scramble known as the Crag Trail. The Crag Trail sees a lot of activity and is a favorite with the locals as well as visiting hikers. The scramble is a blazed trail through the talus fields over immense boulders.

The Bonticou Crag Ascent Path.

Volunteers picking up trash as they ascend the Bonticou Crag Ascent Path.

Volunteers working their way up the difficult talus terrain of the Bonticou Crag Ascent Path in the Mohonk Preserve. for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up.

Volunteers working their way up the talus of the Bonticou Crag Ascent Path.

Over the years, hikers have dropped a great deal of trash into the crevices, often out of reach. The GCC supplied 31 volunteers equipped with long sticks with a nail attached to the end to spear the trash normally out of reach, and the Mohonk Preserve contributed a number of grabbing sticks. Approximately 20 bags of trash were collected and the trail blazes were repainted as well.

Sudha cleaning trash between the boulders of Bonticou Crag in the Mohonk Preserve, for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up.

Sudha dives deep into the talus to retrieve trash.

Braxton retrieving trash in a crevice at Bonticou Crag in the Mohonk Preserve, for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up.

Braxton finds a sweatshirt and other trash in a crevice.

Many thanks to the volunteers and the Mohonk Preserve Rangers who supplied bagels, coffee, and logistical support. Volunteers spruced up the entire crag, the trails and trail blazes.

The Mohonk Preserve provided donuts and coffee to the volunteers who showed up for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up at Bonticou Crag.

Thanks to the Mohonk Preserve for the donuts & coffee!

Pete repainting the trail blazes at Bonticou Crag in the Mohonk Preserve, for the Gunks Climbers' Coalition Adopt-A-Crag day clean up.

Pete re-blazes the trail.

But it’s not all work and no play! Volunteers brought their climbing gear and either led some routes or top-roped them afterwards. Bonticou is a bit off the beaten track for most climbers. There are some stellar routes located there but there is no guidebook. You can ask another climber for route beta or just go for it and give a nice line a try.