How We Do It & What It Looks Like

Replacing bolts and anchors is the main action that the Black Hills Climbers Coalition takes part of in our attempt to hold true to our climbing ethics and history of the Black Hills. Within the BHCC we have a Bolting Committee that goes around to different parts of the Black Hills and replaces bolts and anchors with material the coalition purchases.

How we decided when & where to repair

Deciding where to repair is a community effort. We take suggestions from people who have been out on the routes and contact the coalition letting us know if there is a loose, rusted, or old bolt/anchor system that needs to be replaced. We highly recommend using badbolt.com or use the form below as a source to document the bad bolts that you believe need to be replaced. At Bad Bolt you can go to South Dakota, click the Black Hills, and add the route name and describe in great detail about what part of the route needs some TLC. Then the bolting committee will converse and decided on a time to go out and fix the bad bolt.

How we repair

When it comes to the actual repair there are a variety of different methods and tools that are used. We actively discuss these methods throughout the year to ensure we are making a better experience for the climber. All in all, our main purpose in bolt repairs is to make sure the old material comes out without damaging the rock (scarring), that the new materials used are long lasting/installed properly, & that our work minimally impacted the route.