Hanging Mountain

Preserved for climbing and other passive recreation

WMCC Acquires Hanging Mountain with support of the Ragged Mountain Foundation and Access Fund

November 20, 2019, Sandisfield, MA - Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition (WMCC), Ragged Mountain Foundation (RMF), and Access Fund are pleased to announce the acquisition of Hanging Mountain, a new climbing area in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. Situated on 14 acres, Hanging Mountain may be the biggest find in Northeastern climbing in decades. Once fully established, this hidden gem will provide climbers with approximately 150 – 200 single and multi-pitch trad, mixed and sport routes.

Having initiated negotiations with the landowner, the WMCC then approached the RMF with hopes that together the two organizations would have the ability to purchase and preserve this incredible parcel for the climbing community. At the same time, the WMCC worked with Access Fund to secure a $79,500 loan from the organization’s Climbing Conservation Loan program.

While Hanging Mountain is just over the border into Massachusetts, its proximity to, and ease of access from Connecticut make it a valuable crag for CT based climbers. With this in mind, the RMF decided to contribute over $13,000 to cover the initial acquisition and ongoing support for debt service on the Climbing Conservation Loan.

Access Fund has collaborated with both WMCC and RMF on land acquisition projects in the past, including the protection of the Farley Ledge parking lot in partnership with WMCC, and the acquisition of Ragged Mountain in partnership with RMF. This new acquisition of Hanging Mountain marks the first time RMF and WMCC have collaborated on a climbing access project and one of only a handful of acquisition projects pursued in partnership by local climbing organizations from different states.

Projects like Hanging Mountain are exactly why Access Fund launched the Climbing Conservation Loan program in 2009. Hanging Mountain is the 26th climbing area that has been conserved through the Access Fund Climbing Conservation Loan Program. As a revolving loan program, loan money is repaid into the conservation fund, allowing Access Fund to loan the money out again to protect other threatened climbing areas across the country.

They Aren’t Making Any More Rocks

To say that Hanging Mountain is a huge get is an understatement. That’s why the RMF covered 50% of the costs associated with this acquisition. If you like climbing, and access to wild places and land that will never be turned into condos or cement substrate, then please donate to support our efforts. Hanging Mountain is a big deal, but it is far from the only crag we are looking to acquire for our community. Your support, regardless of the number of zeros, allows our work to continue. Remember, we are 100% supported by donors like you.

Donate Now | RMF Acquisition Fundraiser

A Note About the Property and Access

Hanging Mountain is a largely raw, undeveloped cliff that will require road improvements, a parking area, and a short access trail before it will be ready for public use. This unusually blank slate creates a valuable opportunity for the thoughtful development of climbing routes accessed by a network of sustainable trails planned and installed by the community.These projects will all require significant time and effort to plan and implement.A joint committee comprised of both WMCC and RMF members has begun establishing a broad management plan and long range vision; both organizations will seek input, expertise, labor and financial support in the coming months. We anticipate a gradual opening of sections of the cliff over a period of time as the supporting infrastructure is put into place. In the meantime, please respect the initial closure, contact WMCC and/or RMF if you are interested in becoming part of the process, and stay tuned for an official opening date and access details in early summer 2020.