Nov. 2024 Minutes

Meeting Attended by: John Lang, Mark Rafferty, Peyton Hinn, Charlie Brumbaugh, Matt Ritger, Matt Emrich, Brandon Tesdahl





Land Managers/Climbing Access/Management Plan


  1. Black Hills Climbing Management Plan

    • Status: 

      • Developmental stages - Developing needs/wants for BH climbing community for management plan

      • Frequent communication with land managers

        • Meetings proposed after the New Years
          GOAL : for us right now is to nail down exactly what we want to  bring to the meetings in a unified whole.

  2. Climbing Access

    • Custer State Park 

      • Access Concerns:

        • Middle Earth - Trail Erosion

        • Campground Boulder - Signage blocks access

        • Homestar Boulder - Land zone concern (Acknowledged)

        • Sylvan Lake Closure Announcement (Info found on website)

    • Black Hills NFS

      • Access Concerns:

        • Spearfish Canyon | Dark Side - Bridge/Moss erosion

        • Wrinkled Rock Campground Fee Proposal 

          • Updated Information: 

            • The BHNFS will be managing the site. This means the following passes will be accepted year long:

              • America the Beautiful

              • Annual Forest Service Pass

              • Volunteer Pass

              • Military Pass

              • Every Kid Outdoor Pass

          • BHCC Survey Results 

            • 72 Participants 

              • 75% Black Hills Residents (54)

              • 25% Non Black Hills Residents (18)

              • 45.8% BHCC Members

              • 29.2% Non-BHCC Members

              • 20.8% Previous BHCC Members

              • 4.2% Other LCO Members

            • Estimated # of Days Parked

              • 10.17 - 30.13 days 

            • Estimated # of Night Camping

              • 1.56 - 7.94 nights 

            • Overall Feelings of Proposal

              • 43.5% Strongly Opposed

              • 17.6% Not in Favor, but may consider paying 

              • 9.4% Understand the Need & Open to Pay 

              • 5.9% Support Fee & Open to Pay

              • 5 % Undecided 

              • 17.6% Additional Comments 

                • Open if Annual Option is Available (most answered)

                • Strongly Opposed 

                • In Favor 

                • Camper Fee Only (least answered)

            • If a Fee was Enacted

              • 56.9% Park on Road

              • 12.5% Pay the Fee

            • Would you purchase an Annual Pass

              • 27.8% Depends on the Price & Climbing Frequency 

              • 25% Not Buy One

              • 22.2 % Definitely Buy One 

              • 5.6% Only Daily Fee

          • BHCC Board Stance

            • While no immediate fee increase is confirmed, we recognize that financial pressures on public lands management make eventual fee adjustments an unavoidable reality over time.

            • Because of this we strongly support an annual pass option. 

              • Aligns with interests of our community (survey)

              • Annual Pass will:

                • Minimize Financial Strain on climbers 

                • Reduce administrative burden for users and BHNFS vs daily fee collection

                • Encourages responsible use by fostering a sense of investment in the area’s maintenance and sustainability 

            • We aim to strike a balance between supporting the financial sustainability of the area and maintaining affordability for our climbing community

Upcoming Events



BRADLEY: is very interested in meeting with the coalition bi-annually 

Can we affiliate the AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS and sell them at events  


  • Christmas Party

    • Location: Black Hills Basecamp

    • When: Available dates

      • Dec 14 Sat

      • Dec 18 Wed - VOTED FOR

      • Dec 21 Sat

      • Dec 22 Sun

  • Access Fund Central Region Meeting 

    • Nov. 20th for Board Members


Plans/Projects


  • Request to Change Public Meeting Times

    • Will send out survey to community 

    • Earlier will be harder for Custer and spearfish

    • Sunday - early evening, Thursday, Wednesday

    • Event reminders/ invite 2 weeks before, 1 week before, and day of - 

    • Maybe just change it to the first _______ of the month

    • Option Matt presented of zooming in

    • PLACES:

      • Discussion of alternative options

      • Feel free to send ideas to us

  • End of Year Report 

    • To provide transparency and celebrate all we’ve accomplished this year 

    • Things to include? What does the community want to know?

    • Bolting, meeting, spotlight climbs (for classics, maybe blog post), new routes

  • “Best Practices”Announcement/Material

    • Instead of ethics

    • Wag bags, no fixed ropes, etc.

  • Mission Statement Survey

    • Will create survey about “Preserve & Protect”

      • Will vote on whether the community wants us to add the “Promote”

  • Board Duties 

    • Create end of year report

    • Fundraising ideas 

    • Creating 2025 Calendar - sent to outdoor brands, land managers, and local businesses

    • Writing donation receipts 

    • Writing response letter for BHNFS Wrinkled Rock Fee Proposal 

      • Due Nov. 26th 

      • Make a post on the 25th

    • Bolting report for Access Fund Grant 2024 ($1,600)

      • Due Dec. 31st

      • Chris H. will give a final report for the end of year bolting report

    • Finalizing Land Manager meetings/events for 2025



Open Comment:

  • Brandon T mentioned he can host the meetings (near SW middle school)

  • Stryder as well is an option on deadwood ave. near Coke

  • Matt suggested doing a specific day like every 20th of the month

Black Hills Climbers Coalition