In Fall 2024, CNHCA secured a 5-acre parcel along Tripoli Road with the help of a loan from @accessfund. Our current priority is raising funds to build a small parking lot on this land. The new lot will reduce congestion from roadside parking near the Tripoli Road gate and improve access to climbing areas beyond Russell Crags, including Merriam Woods.

We’re getting close to starting construction, and right now, donations are the most important way to help. Once land clearing begins, we’ll also be looking for volunteers—so stay tuned!

Central New Hampshire’s climbing history is still being written, shaped by a small group of determined explorers who ventured into its rugged, often hidden terrain. Early activity dates back to the 1960s and 70s at places like Russell Crag, where climbers began establishing routes through a mix of curiosity and persistence. By the 1980s and 90s, developers like Tom Bowker pushed exploration further, hand-drilling bolts and seeking out remote lines, helping define the region’s character as wild, adventurous, and largely undiscovered compared to more established areas.

Have you been curious about Central New Hampshire Climbers Association? Want to meet some of the people behind the scenes? Come hang out with us at Twin Barns Brewing in North Woodstock on June 14th from 4-7pm!