Western MA Donates $8K to Hanging Mountain

With spectacular views and challenging climbing routes being built, Hanging Mountain will be the new place to enjoy recreational climbing. AMC and the Western Massachusetts Climbing Coalition (WMCC) are building it from the ground up, supported by a community of volunteers. Much hard work has already been invested in this project. Volunteers are clearing a trail to the cliffs and laying out a variety of single and multi-pitch trad, mixed and sport routes. The 14 acres in western Massachusetts were purchased from a single private owner. AMC and WMCC persuaded the Ragged Mountain Foundation in Connecticut to contribute, since the mountain is so close to Connecticut. Located two hours from Boston, two hours from New York, and two hours from New Haven, Hanging Mountain is right in the middle of everything and in a perfect spot. The exciting thing about this project is that people from all across the region have been able to come together, even amidst COVID, and help acquire and develop this unique and beautiful new climbing spot. AMC Western MA has played a particularly big role in this project with its significant financial contribution. The WMCC has also received $43,000 in grants from other sources for this project. The chapter wishes to thank Dolci Mascolo, Bill Fogel, Stephanie Giguere, Christopher Neil, Heather Wyman, and many others for putting their time and energy into this project. We will be announcing volunteer days to help make Hanging Mountain accessible to the public. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Western MA Chapter Mountaineering Committee for more information. We expect that Hanging Mountain will open to climbers for the Fall 2020 climbing season, and will be open every season thereafter, except during the winter. The Chapter wishes to thank Dolci Mascolo, Bill Fogel, Stephanie Giguere, Christopher Neil, Heather Wyman, and many others for putting their time and energy into this project.