ACCESS

Overview

• Mandate
• Committee Structure
• Committee members

Waivers/Permits

• Old Baldy permit
• Kingston Mills Waiver

Area Descriptions

• Bancroft-Eagles Nest
• Bon Echo
• Mt. Nemo
• Niagara Glen
• Rattlesnake
• Access Links

• Bulletin Board
• Events Calendar
• E-mail Updates
• External Links

The Access Committee of the Toronto Section of the Alpine Club of Canada was formed by concerned climbers who found themselves collaborating with Provincial Parks, The Niagara Escarpment Commission, Regional Conservation Authorities, and The Ministry of Natural Resources, in solving complex access issues.

The Access Committee believes that regulations affecting climbing resources or practices are acceptable only if they follow from discussions and agreement between climbers and land managers. Alternatives to regulation, such as voluntary self-regulation, should be fully explored as preferable to formal regulation. In the latter case, however, the Access Committee believes that the negotiation of a climbing management plan with a land manager is preferable to losing a climbing resource in Southern Ontario. The Access Committee believes that success depends on co-operation. Discussion between climbers and land managers will result in climbing management plans based on mutual agreement. Such policies will ensure effective compliance and enforcement.

Mandate

The Access Committee provides a common voice for climbers to address these issues. The Access Committee, working with the Toronto Section of The Alpine Club of Canada, is charged with representing the climbing community in negotiations with land owners, conservation authorities and provincial bodies concerning continued access to climbing locations in Southern Ontario. 

Committee Structure

The Access Committee has representation from the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC), the Ontario Rock Climbing Association (ORCA), and The Toronto Caving Group (TCG).

The committee is loosely structured on three general roles:

1. Executive:
   • Chairperson(s)
   • Secretary
   • Treasurer
2. Portfolio Manager:
   • Niagara Escarpment North
   • Niagara Escarpment South (Halton Region)
   • Niagara Peninsula
   • Bancroft and surrounding areas
   • Bon Echo and surrounding areas
3. Associates:
   • Climbing Gyms
   • Ontario Rock Climbing Association
   • Toronto Caving Group
   • Alpine Club of Canada

The role of a Portfolio Manager (PM) is to monitor the climbing and caving venues in his/her area of responsibility with respect to access issues. The Portfolio Manager is expected to be the first point of contact for the land managers should they wish to contact the climbing and caving community. The Portfolio Manager will maintain a contact list of landowners and managers in their area.

Access Committee - List of Contacts