Montana bolting new routes

I am a 19 year old who has recently been looking into starting to bolt outdoor rock climbs in Montana. Being from Arizona, I am not completely familiar with the rules and regulations of doing so in Montana. I was wondering if anybody could give me some valuable information regarding the laws of doing so. What are the permits/permissions required to develop climbs? Do these rules change depending on where the rock is? (BLM, USFS land). I believe there are numerous possibilities of new rock to climb in this beautiful state. If anybody could help point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

What part of the State? Make contact with the local climbing coalition and talk with them. If you can't find them, try making contact with some of the other developers in the area you are working in.

What Shane F said ^^^. Putting up new routes can be a lot of fun but is also a responsibility.

A quote from a Montana area in MP called Horsehead Arch: "While there was a lot of activity in the Bitterroots in those days [the 1970s and 1980s], very little outside of Blodgett and Kootenai was documented. This was on purpose. Alex Lowe, Marvin McDonald, Mike Kellog and more were in agreement that "It is wilderness. Leave no trace and let others have the same pristine adventure." It was not a law or even a rule, just an elegant local ethic very loosely encouraged."

There may some old timers who can point you towards untouched cliffs perfect for new bolted routes. Win-win.  

  

Shane F wrote:

What part of the State? Make contact with the local climbing coalition and talk with them. If you can't find them, try making contact with some of the other developers in the area you are working in.

I live in Missoula currently but am willing to travel all throughout the state! I have many good ideas of new rock to be bolted, just worried about legality issues. I am going to reach out to my local climbing coalition as-well as the developers of nearby crags to see where to go from here. I really appreciate the advice!  

Steve Bartlett wrote:

What Shane F said ^^^. Putting up new routes can be a lot of fun but is also a responsibility.

A quote from a Montana area in MP called Horsehead Arch: "While there was a lot of activity in the Bitterroots in those days [the 1970s and 1980s], very little outside of Blodgett and Kootenai was documented. This was on purpose. Alex Lowe, Marvin McDonald, Mike Kellog and more were in agreement that "It is wilderness. Leave no trace and let others have the same pristine adventure." It was not a law or even a rule, just an elegant local ethic very loosely encouraged."

There may some old timers who can point you towards untouched cliffs perfect for new bolted routes. Win-win.  

  

Thank you for the thoughtful response!! I will reach out and try to find some more resources to get closer to drilling down steel!

Jazz Brown wrote:

I live in Missoula currently but am willing to travel all throughout the state! I have many good ideas of new rock to be bolted, just worried about legality issues. I am going to reach out to my local climbing coalition as-well as the developers of nearby crags to see where to go from here. I really appreciate the advice!  

If you are in Missoula, definitely reach out to the Western Montana Climbers Coalition. There is a lot of history surrounding bolting in the area, and not all good.

If you’re in Missoula DM me. 

Nic Gravley wrote:

If you’re in Missoula DM me. 

Sent you a message!

Do us all a solid and and spend the next 10 years of your life developing some mega lines in Muddy Creek Canyon. :)