pikes peak
climbers
alliance
Statement Regarding Pikes Peak Bolt Chopping:
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The Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance condemns the actions of the climbers who have engaged in the damaging practice of chopping/flattening bolts. Such actions not only jeopardize the safety of fellow community members and degrade the environment, but also undermine the integrity and spirit of responsible climbing.
Defacing without discourse goes against the desire of the community at large and is an unaccountable method for dealing with fixed hardware concerns. The PPCA supports route development that is conscientious, preserves the unique environment of Pikes Peak, and respects the history of this area. We recognize that Pikes Peak has long been a self-regulated area, and that these recent and ongoing trends reflect the serious need for intentional change.
Going forward, it is our goal to bring the community together to form strict, standardized protocol for route development on the Peak, as well as solidifying protection for historical routes to preserve their unique character and adventurous spirit for generations to come. While we are still considering all options, it is our intent to work with the involved parties and the community to find the best solution. In the interim, we ask all communtiy members to refrain from bolting or chopping on Pikes Peak while we find a solution.
Welcome to the PPCA!
We are a nonprofit climbing stewardship organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our mission is to promote sustainable use of local climbing areas, protect access, and engage the climbing community through events and educational opportunities.
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We're named after Pikes Peak, but our stewardship work extends to many crags across the Southern Front Range of Colorado. Our main areas of focus include Shelf Road, Garden of the Gods, and the South Platte.
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Want to know more? Click here to learn about where we work, our committees, and current projects.
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How YOU can get involved
Stewardship and Community Events
There are lots of great ways to join our mission! See our events page for fun community events such as stewardship projects, educational clinics, and more!
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Membership
Did you know? The Access Fund and PPCA have teamed up for joint membership! This means that, when you become a member of the PPCA, you also get all the perks of Access Fund membership and you help support us and our amazing partner organization! Once you're on the sign up page, click "Support Local Advocacy" and select CO - Pikes Peak Climber's Alliance to join us.
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Donate
Can't make it out to join us at the crag? You can still support our current projects by making a tax-deductible donation to the PPCA!
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Know Before you Climb
Many climbing areas near Colorado Springs are periodically closed to protect nesting raptors and other threatened species. To preserve access to crags and protect delicate ecosystems, we ask that all climbers in the Pikes Peak Region respect these laws and stay out of closed areas.
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GARDEN OF THE GODS CLIMBING REGULATIONS
Did you know, white chalk and all chalk substitutes are prohibited at G.O.G? Do you know what routes are closed for nesting birds at certain times of the year? Read up on these and other special rules in G.O.G. here
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The sandstone at Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Open Space is fragile when wet! Climbing wet rock is dangerous, and can damage climbs because holds are much more likely to break. Please allow plenty of time for rock to dry, because even rock that appears dry can be wet under the surface. Click here to learn more.
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LEAVE NO TRACE
With more people getting outside, it is very important to learn to tread lightly. Check out these simple and easy to follow LNT guidelines!
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FIXED HARDWARE AND BOLTING
Many regions in the Pikes Peak Region are historically traditional areas with minimal fixed hardware or bolts. Before replacing, adding, or removing any fixed hardware, please consult with the PPCA fixed hardware committee to avoid conflict with area-specific ethics or traditions.
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Thank you for helping keep climbing areas on the Southern Front Range open and enjoyable for everyone!
Are you ready to get your fitness on and support local climbing projects here in the Pikes Peak region? If you answered yes (which you obviously did!) then we are so excited to invite you to partake in the PPCA Climbathon! Keep yourself motivated to climb strong while also getting the opportunity to win awesome prizes.
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The Climbathon will take place from June 26-July 28. During this month climbers can boulder or sport climb at City Rock to rack up vertical feet. The more you climb, the more chances you have to win prizes. To enter, participants register online, using the link below, and pay an entry fee at City Rock. You can also have family and friends sponsor you by the foot or route (which is about 43 feet) to increase the impact of your climbing. To register as a sponsor, use the sponsor link below.
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There will be a kickoff party on Monday, June 26th at The Ute (21 N. Nevada Ave.) at 6pm. This will be the official start of the climbathon. Climbers then have until July 28th to log as many vertical feet at City Rock as possible. Prizes will be awarded at the wrap-up party of August 7th at 6pm at The Ute.
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Participants can invite friends and family to sponsor their climbs and increase the impact their climbing has on the community. Plus, the more you climb the more chances you have to win awesome prizes!
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Participants:
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Participants are required to pay a $20 entry fee at the City Rock front desk, which gives them the chance to win prizes and participate in a raffle. Deadline to sign up is July 12th. That fee is due by July 14th.
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Participants can log their distances on their own but will also have the option of logging their feet climbed on cards kept in a bin up front and sorted alphabetically by their last name.
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To register as a participant, please use this link.
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The timeframe for logging climbs will be from the kickoff party of June 26th through July 28th. No climbs done before or after these dates will be counted. More info will be available after signup and at the kickoff event.
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Donors:
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Donor payments are due by August 2nd/3rd. This is because the amount they pay is contingent on the distance their sponsee/participant climbs.
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If you are sponsoring a participant, please use this link.
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Talk to the climber you a sponsoring about average distance they do. This can give you a better idea of how much to pledge. For example, the sport walls are as high as 43 feet. If your climber does an average of 5 routes per session, three times a week, they would climb 645 feet a week, which over the four weeks of the climbathon would be 2580 feet. So if you are pledging ten cents a foot you would raise $258 dollars. Boulders at the gym are 14 feet tall, so you do the math! Just something to think about:)
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If you have any quetions, please contact us at pikespeakclimbersalliance@gmail.com. We are happy to answer any questions.
Also, get out there and share the stoke! Invite your friends and have a fun competition amongst yourselves, get others you know involved. This will all be going back into our community so the more people who join in the better!
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We cant wait to see you all on June 26th and in the meantime, happy climbing!
Educational Videos
Check out these videos to learn a bit more about some of the crags on the Front Range and how you can do your part to keep them open and accessible for all climbers.
Front Range
Shelf Road
