News and Events
The FCC sponsors trailbuilding and restoration events, the FHRC holds public meetings to review new route applications, and Open Space and Mountain Parks holds public meetings where your input is needed. These and other events could use your involvement – stay tuned!
Events
What: 12th Annual Flagstaff TRASH BASH
When: Wednesday, Sept 19th, 2012 at 5pm
Why: It’s a clean, green, happening scene!
The 12th Annual Flagstaff TRASH BASH will be happening on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012.
Mark your calendar, recruit/brainwash some friends, and head up to the Summit to pick up trash, eat dinner, drink beverages, and hang for the raffle.
The trash cleanup starts with signup around 5pm (after work), at the Flagstaff Mountain Summit. To get there, go about three miles up Flagstaff Road, take a right on the Flagstaff Summit Road and drive to the Flagstaff Summit parking lot. Look for “The Stone Shelter” to the west of the lot.
After the work, there will be food and beverages followed by the legendary “schwag fest” raffle. Bring work gloves if you can, and warm clothes for later. Bring a friend and car pool if possible. Parking fee will be waived for non-resident volunteers. If you are running late, come anyway to help recycle the trash, and enjoy the “zero waste” BBQ.
Hosted by the Flatirons Climbing Council in partnership with the City of Boulder OSMP and the Access Fund and made possible again this year due to the generous support of our prime sponsor, CUSTOM SOLAR.
Past and current contributors include CUSTOM SOLAR, Boulder Beer, Annette Yuan Massage, RAB, The Spot, The Access Fund, Noodles and Company, Rock & Ice, Boulder Rock Club, La Sportiva, Wilderness Exchange, Cliff Bar, Kelty, Neptunes, KT’s BBQ, Sharp End Publishing, Rock’in Resoles, Vic’s Expresso, Camelbak, Bittersweet, Bent Gate, Sierra Designs, American Bouldering Series, Peak to Peak Paragliding, Powerbar, Splitter Films, BOA, Paradise Climbing Gym, Mountain Miser, Bent Gate, , Kelty Climbing Magazine, Lowe Alpine, Dueter Packs, TRANGO, CAMP, Eco Products,and many more………
Thanks for being part of this event, again. Come out and clean up!
Current News
January 2013 FHRC Applications
Three applications have been submitted for the current cycle of the Fixed Hardware Review Committee’s application process: two on the south face of Seal Rock, the other on the west face of Overhang Rock. Visit http://flatironsclimbingcouncil.wordpress.com/category/route-applications/2013-january/ to view them; please post comments below the application or submit them via email to fhrc@flatironsclimbing.org. This cycle closes January 1, 2013, though applicants are encouraged to submit any new routes well in advance. The public meeting and vote will be held at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 16 at The Spot gym, Boulder, Colorado.
August 2012 FHRC Public Meetings and Applications
The Flatirons Climbing Council FHRC’s public meeting and vote for the August 2012 FHRC application cycle will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday September 5 at The Spot gym in Boulder, Colorado. One application has been submitted for this cycle, for a new climb on the South Face of the Maiden. Visit http://flatironsclimbingcouncil.wordpress.com/category/route-applications/2012-august/ and/or show up to the meeting. (You can post comments below the application or submit them via email to fhrc@flatironsclimbing.org.) The next cycle for applications closes January 1, 2013.
Flagstaff Fire Closure Modified
July 24, 2012: As of today, the fire-closure boundaries have been moved west from the Mesa Trail, allowing access to many of the formations formerly affected by the Flagstaff Fire closure. More info and an updated closure map are available from OSMP at http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1158&Itemid=2552
A reminder to everyone to stay well clear of the closure and burn areas as you head back in to hike and climb. Enjoy!
Bear Peak and the Flagstaff Fire Closure
July 20, 2012: Due to the Flagstaff Fire on Bear Peak in late June and early July this year, a fire closure remains in place for all areas west of the Mesa Trail between Shadow and Bear canyons in the southern Flatirons. This includes all formations from Devil’s Thumb on the south to Overhang Rock on the north and any bouldering areas west of the Mesa Trail. Climbers are reminded not to hike, climb, or trespass in the closure area. Open Space and Mountain Parks is looking at moving the closure line farther west in the near future, which would allow for access to many of the formations. Please visit OSMP’s home page for updates.
2012 Memorandum of Understanding with OSMP Adds New Formations to Pilot Area
June 3, 2012: The Flatirons Climbing Council (FCC) and the FCC’s Fixed Hardware Review Committee have signed the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks formation. This new, latest MOU also adds new formations to the pilot area. For more information, visit the FHRC’s home page.
May 2012 FHRC Public Meetings and Applications
The Flatirons Climbing Council FHRC’s public meeting and vote for the May 2012 FHRC application cycle will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday May 30 at The Spot gym in Boulder, Colorado. One application has been submitted for this cycle, for a new climb on the South Face of Seal Rock. Visit http://flatironsclimbingcouncil.wordpress.com/category/route-applications/2012-may/ and/or show up to the meeting. (You can post comments below the application or submit them via email to fhrc@flatironsclimbing.org.) The next cycle for applications closes August 1, 2012.
January 2012 FHRC Public Meetings and Applications
The Flatirons Climbing Council FHRC’s public meeting for the January 2012 FHRC application cycle will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2 at The Spot gym in Boulder, Colorado. Four applications have been submitted for this cycle, two for new climbs, and two that pertain to existing climbs. To view the proposed applications and leave comments, visit http://flatironsclimbingcouncil.wordpress.com/category/route-applications/2012-january/ and/or show up to the meeting. (It’s probably best to submit the comments via email for now.) The next cycle for applications closes April 1, 2012.
June 2011 FHRC Public Meeting
The June 2011 Flatirons Climbing Council FHRC public meeting will be held Wednesday July 6 at 7 p.m. at The Spot gym, Boulder, Colorado. Three applications have been submitted for this cycle. To view the proposed applications and leave comments, visit http://flatironsclimbingcouncil.wordpress.com/category/route-applications/2011-june/ and/or show up to the meeting. The next cycle for applications closes September 15, 2011.
Hardware Replacement Day for Overhang Rock
On May 22nd and 23rd The Flatirons Climbing Council and volunteers will upgrade the aging fixed hardware on the Overhang Rock formation with new bolts and anchors. Overhang Rock is located on the south side of Bear Canyon in the Central Flatirons and hosts classic routes such as Snake Watching, The Big Picture and many others. In total, 8 routes and approximately 50 bolts will receive an upgrade with stainless steel, ½” bolts and anchors. The American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA) and the Anchor Replacement Initiative (ARI Hardware have generously donated hardware. FCC Board Member Ted Lanzano, with the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks’ approval, is coordinating the effort. If you are interested in volunteering or learning the proper bolt-replacement technique please contact Ted at tlanzano@gmail.com.
Climbing in the West Trail Study Area
January 25, 2011
The Community Collaborative Group (CCG) was a committee of volunteer citizens, representing various recreational, conservation, and neighborhood interests, selected to study trails and trail use in the City’s Open Space and Mountain Parks. The focus of the CCG was the West Trail Study Area (TSA), which includes all of the climbing areas in the Flatirons. After 16 months of determined work and negotiations, the CCG released its report on January 19, 2011. While the report contains many substantial recommendations, particularly for dog and horse uses, it presents no significant changes for climbers and climbing access. The only climbing issues called out specifically in the CCG report are the following.
1. Designated access will be provided to the Ghetto Boulders, Fifth Flatiron, Front Porch, Back Porch, Lost Porch, Fee, and Fumbledeedum.
2. Designated access will be provided to the Terrain Boulders (Animal Chin, Funk Soul, and Ice Cube-Fairview) and Seal Rock
3. Designated access will be provided to the Maiden and Matron.
The fixed hardware application process is unchanged by the CCG recommendations. Also unchanged is access to formations near the Sacred Cliffs, on the South side of South Boulder Peak, and near the Mickey Mouse Wall. For detailed maps of these areas showing the formations that are accessible with and without an off-trail permit, go to
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/openspace/pdf_offtrail_permits/overview.pdf.pdf
Off-Trail permits are available on-line at
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5850&Itemid=411
