Bolton Bouldering Climbing

Bolton has some of the most underrated and unknown bouldering in Vermont. Often overlooked because of nearby Smugglers' Notch, many a good day can be had in the lost woods of Bolton.

Recently, with increased popularity and climate change bringing good conditions lasting later into the season, landowners have felt the strain and are losing patience with allowing climbers to access their properties. Climbers have been parking with cars illegally blocking the lane of travel on the Notch Road and in some cases in the driveways of the owners of the boulders. Music, loud noise, dogs, excess chalk, and litter have further strained the situation. When visiting these areas, please show your gratitude to the landowners for continuing to allow access and keep the noise down, clean up after yourself, and park well off the road, even if it means having to walk and extra five minutes. 

Camel's Hump State Forest, being public land and open to climbers, offers the most secure access - this includes the Honey Hollow boulders, the Bog boulders, the Pit boulders, and the Ramones boulders.

When posting new boulders to Bolton, please consider the access situation. There are several boulders still not listed on this page which are very close to homes, have sensitive approaches which straddle tract boundaries, have extremely limited parking, and are very visible. If you have not taken the time to be sure of the issues and area may present, try to do so before posting or consider not posting at all - ask the area admins or CRAG-VT for assistance. Some of these areas have been seeing increased attention as of late but cannot handle the level of attention other areas in Bolton have been seeing. Many areas in New England outside Vermont have long-standing traditions of limited documentation and word-of-mouth as part of agreements with landowners or as a general understanding among the community as a means to protect access. 

Bolton bouldering is an amazing resource but it doesn't not come without it's issues. When visiting, be a good steward of both our community and these beautiful hills.