The sun is coming out and the spring season is upon us! There’s a lot going on in the Ontario climbing scene this year, here’s what we’ve been up to:

Devil’s Glen: Amendment ERO 019-8238 has been APPROVED!

The Amendment to the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park Management Plan was officially approved on April 13, 2026.

This is a MAJOR milestone -- not just for climbing access, but for how outdoor recreation and conservation can work together. The updated plan includes policies to formally authorize and manage rock climbing in the park, creating a path forward for safe, sustainable access.

This outcome reflects years of work and a strong partnership between Ontario Parks, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Ontario Alliance of Climbers (OAC). It’s also a testament to the climbing community’s commitment to stewardship, safety, and respect for the environment.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, supported, and stayed engaged throughout this process. Your actions have had a direct effect on climbing access in Ontario!

More details to come soon. You can read up on the decision details on the official ERO website.

Rattlesnake Spring Fling 🐍

The 2026 Rattlesnake Spring Fling is happening Sunday May 3rd! Join us as we team up with Conservation Halton for a day of crag clean up. Volunteers receive FREE lunch, and FREE entry to Rattlesnake and Mount Nemo in the afternoon to climb. Plus this year, Ontario Resoles is supporting the crag day by donating a free half resole and rand repair to the volunteer who picks up the most trash! This is a great way to give back to the community. Bring the whole family!

Beaver Valley Climbing Festival 🥳

SAVE THE DATE! This year’s BVCF will take place August 14-16, right in the prime of summer. We know you had a blast last year, and this year is cooking up to be an even bigger party! Plus, you know you won’t find another raffle with prizes half as good as the ones we lock down. Especially with Patagonia as this year’s main sponsor!! 🤩

As always, spaces will be limited, and OAC Annual Members will get early access to reduced price tickets. Which brings us to our next topic…

OAC Annual Memberships

Are you not a member yet? Become one for only $20! Your membership dues help us advocate for climbing access (as we did in the campaign to save climbing at Devil’s Glen), keep our crags clean (like when we pay for porta potty servicing at Metcalfe), and cover our operating expenses. For more details, and to become a member, click on the button below.

The OAC Bolt Fund

In 2025, we launched the Bolt Fund initiative to help keep the climbing community safe. The Bolt Fund enables developers to replace or upgrade existing hardware that is worn out or untrustworthy, by helping to cover the cost of the hardware.

Last year, Crux Capital Corporation fully funded the Bolt Fund, and they are again providing financing for this year! Thank you to Crux Capital, and to the volunteer routesetters updating gear, for keeping us safe 🙏

Have you replaced any worn out gear? Learn more about the Bolt Fund, including how to get reimbursed, on our website:

See some questionable gear on the wall, but not sure if you have the expertise to replace it yourself? We’ve made it easy for you to report bad bolts to us! We’ll see that the information gets passed along to the right individuals.

Climbing at The Turtle? Don’t forget to register!

Climbing at Turtle Crag has opened for the 2026 season and permits are mandatory for all climbers, with a limit of 12 climbers per day. Permit registration opens two days in advance at 8pm (eg: opens Thursday night for Saturday reservations). Register here on the OAC website.

Let’s Have a Fun and Safe Season!

The OAC works hard to preserve access to many of your favourite crags in Ontario, and every climber can help. Wherever you adventure this season, always:

• Climb with a permit if required. 

• Stay informed about specific crag rules and guidelines. 

• Stay on the trail.

• Collect your garbage.

• Brush your holds. 

• Work with land managers to determine whether bolting is permitted before attempting new route development.

• Respect the land, animals, other climbers and visitors to the area.

Every time you climb, you represent all climbers. Let’s all work together to make climbing better for everyone in Ontario.

Happy spring and happy climbing! Hope you have a great start to your season, we’ll see you out there 😎