The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Climbing, townie takeover, dancing, costumes
The dramatic changing colors of the fall will be the backdrop for the sixth annual Butte Bouldering Bonanza (BBB), the first to be held in the autumn.
Participants in the event will take the challenge on Saturday, September 10 to climb as many bouldering problems as possible on the Skyland boulders in Crested Butte from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The hosts for the day will be the Western State College (WSC) Climbing Club with a United States Forest Service permit.
Registration will take place the day of, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Four-way Stop in front of the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce building. The entry fee is $10, and the day is free for spectators and casual climbers. There will be recreation, intermediate and advanced categories.
A free shuttle will run from 8 to 9 a.m. from the Four-way Stop to the boulders for everyone, free of charge. Or, people can bring a bike and join the first-ever Bonanza townie takeover up to the boulders, blasting off from the Four-way at 9 a.m.
The WSC Sustainability Coalition will host a barbecue at the main area at the boulders with local food, some from the WSC Community Garden. There will also be a slack line, a dance off, and a funky costume contest.
Access to this area is very sensitive, and parking is not allowed in the Skyland residential area. The best way to access the boulders is from the east end of Elk Avenue in Crested Butte on mountain bike or by foot. Follow the road as it turns to dirt through the McCormick Ranch for about a mile until the junction of Tony’s Trail (on the left). Note that dogs are not allowed on this trail. Follow up Tony’s Trail to the Upper Loop, and go to the right. The boulders are all located off the Upper Loop trail.
Go to www.western.edu/butteboulderingbonanza for information or contact Spenser Li at spenser.li17@gmail.com or (240) 889-8725; or email Luke Mehall at lmehall@yahoo.com or call (970) 376-3116.
