Millbrook Mountain Antlion Conservation Initiative

Gunks Climbers' Coalition (GCC) and Access Fund are pleased to announce the purchase of a new section of cliff line in the Shawangunk Mountains of New York!!! The newly acquired property includes 1,000 feet of the Millbrook Mountain cliff line, including the historic Antlion Crag. The Antlion adds a new backcountry climbing area to the Gunks, offering a uniquely remote experience that boasts traditional climbing, top roping, overhangs, vertical faces, and even a little crack climbing—ranging from 5.3 to 5.13+.

 

To preserve the Antlion Crag, the Access Fund Climbing Conservation Loan Program (CCLP) provided $109,000 to allow GCC to purchase this property. The CCLP is a revolving loan program, which means the repaid loan funds will go to other local climbing organizations to open or save other threatened climbing areas.

 

We need your help!

We now need the community’s support to raise $133,000. Donations will go directly to the acquisition of the cliff, site improvements costs for a new access road, parking area, trailhead amenities, and construction of a new trail to the cliff. Once the loan is repaid, donations will be allocated to support long term stewardship efforts and site improvements. The GCC will notify climbers when the parking and approach trail are open for public access. We expect to open the cliff for public access March 2022.

 

Your donation is tremendously appreciated!!! Click the "Donate" button to make a one-time donation, or set up a recurring monthly donation to secure this amazing crag. Please share on social media either by using the buttons or reposting the link to this campaign:

 

https://gunksclimbers.org/antlion

 

The Gunks Climbers' Coalition is a 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

 

We will be providing regular updates on the site improvement work needed before we can open to the public. Thank you for your generous support!

 

 

About Gunks Climbers' Coalition

The Gunks Climbers’ Coalition is an advocacy group dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable opportunities for responsible climbing along the Shawangunk Ridge and surrounding areas. The GCC is committed to working with the extended climbing community that visits the Gunks, advocating for responsible gym-to-crag transitioning, and to the protection of the ridge itself. For more information visit us at https://gunksclimbers.org