Bring New Climbing to the Front Range Community

Hi, my name is Josh, a Front Range climber and longtime public lands volunteer. A diverse group of local climbers have teamed up with JeffCo Open Space to bring a new opportunity to our community: the Narrow Gauge Slabs, a beginner-to-moderate friction climbing crag in an Open Space park in the South Platte region.

You can help make these new routes possible by donating to buy bolts!

The Narrow Gauge Slabs will be:

o a place to learn to lead on friction slabs with safe, modern bolting

o family-friendly, easy-access, in a peaceful forest above the South Platte River

o less than a 15 minute, on-trail approach (with bathrooms at the ample parking lot)

o 15-20 single pitch and multi pitch routes, from 5.4 to 5.10, trad and sport

We're working together to build a sustainable crag from the start!-- carefully designed trail and base areas, away from existing recreation, discreetly camouflaged anchors, and safe routes with durable, high quality hardware.

Our diverse, experienced development crew represents climbers of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, representing the full pageant of Front Range climbers today and working all together to create a fun new resource for the entire community.

Your donation will go directly and solely to purchasing the bolts, hangers, drill bits, brushes, and other equipment needed to set up these routes. Stainless steel bolts and hangers typically cost as much as $10 per installed bolt; it can easily cost $100 to put in a full pitch.

(note that installation of any fixed hardware for climbing or slacklining on JeffCo Open Space-managed properties requires a permit; all fixed climbing hardware installed will meet/exceed minimum standards for strength and durability as defined in JCOS’s Fixed Climbing Hardware Guidelines)

The Narrow Gauge Slabs should be ready for visitation in late 2024. We'll keep you posted about our progress here.

Thank you SO much for your support! If you have any questions, see the FAQs below or feel free to contact the fundraiser organizer.

FAQs

Who is doing this?

Jefferson County Open Space, along with a group of dedicated

climber-volunteers. Local climbing organizations including Boulder Climbing Community, Colorado Mountain Club, and the American Alpine Club’s Front Range Section and Denver Chapter are participating with everything from loaned equipment and expertise to volunteers to build the trail and belay areas. Local climbing shop Bent Gate Mountaineering is supporting the project through donations and purchase orders.

A big thank you to all our supporters and collaborators! This is truly a community effort, and it couldn’t happen without all of us.

Where are the Narrow Gauge Slabs?

The crag is located in Pine Valley Ranch Open Space park near Pine, Colorado. This county open space park is managed for multiple recreation uses, including hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and winter ice skating. The park provides ample parking and access along an easy, established trail.

We ask that you minimize or refrain from visitation to the crag until preparation is completed (detailed information about the crag and climbing routes will be shared as soon as it’s ready).

Why is this happening?

JeffCo Open Space and local volunteer climbing stewards have been looking to expand the available moderate and accessible climbing in our region, especially in the southern portion of

the county and especially in the South Platte region.

As the population of climbers grows around the world and in our region, we need more places for new climbers to get a safe start outside (as well as more pleasant, enjoyable crags for everyone to visit for a fulfilling day of adventure).

Planning and preparing a crag like this-- with future use and impact in mind-- allows land managers to bring more recreation resources to the public while minimizing environmental harm and future mitigation costs.

What are you doing with the money?

We will be purchasing the many bolts and hangers it takes to equip these modern sport climbing routes with durable, safe hardware that will last for decades of use by many climbers.

Any excess raised and leftover hardware will be donated to local efforts to replace aging bolts and anchors on popular climbing routes in our region. See Boulder Climbing Community’s

Anchor Replacement Program for more information. And if you climb locally, become a member of BCC today and/or give to their Anchor Replacement Program! It’s the best way to

contribute to the care and maintenance of our local climbing areas.

How else can I help?

Look for volunteer opportunities to help build the trail to the Narrow Gauge Slabs. Volunteer sign-ups will be posted by the American Alpine Club, Boulder Climbing Community, Colorado Mountain Club, and others. Kindly allow time for the sustainable base area and access trail to be built before visiting. Support these climbing community organizations, which make opportunities like this happen. Become a regular volunteer with

JeffCo Open Space, which manages more than 265 miles of trails in 27 parks covering more than 56,000 acres to preserve open space, protect natural resources, and provide healthy, nature-based experiences for all.