August 2025 Meeting

BHCC Monthly Public Meeting Notes
Location: Blackbird, Spearfish
Attendees: Dawson, Jesse, Peyton, Mark R., Ryan, Brent, Mark E., Brian

Pumpfest Recap

Friday

  • Presentations at Spearfish Library

  • Yoga and breathwork in the morning

  • Food trucks, music, and raffles at SD Outdoor Shop

  • Camping out by Don’t Panic

Saturday

  • Morning coffee and donuts with morning classes

  • Climbing was scattered—no ropes were set by BHCC

  • Booth at the crag

  • Afterparty at the Custer Beacon

  • Games, raffle prizes, live band

  • Crate stacking was a highlight and will be returning

Sunday

  • Morning coffee and another class

Planning for 2026

  • Hedi Badaracco is a confirmed speaker

  • Mike Lewis is willing to host the event at Gold Valley Campground

  • Planning to begin February 2026

  • Dates should be set no later than late February

  • Potential changes: Speaker Saturday night, concierge clinics, wholesale snacks, no ropes

Treasurer Report

Possible Tiny House Donation

  • Estimated value $40–70k

  • Questions to ask: Is there a title? What are the steps for transfer?

  • How much will transport cost?

  • Potential ways to handle: sell it, auction it, or try to list online

  • Will decide to proeed next month

Expenses

  • We’ve spent around $1,000 this year, including insurance

Donations

  • In-kind donations include Roaming Around and Dark Canyon Coffee, and many others

  • Some folks didn’t ask for donation receipts

Bolting Committee Updates

  • Spire 4 anchors were replaced

  • Bridge at Dark Side was fixed

  • Bolting at Thunderhead Wall planned this fall when weather cools

  • Volunteers included Ron, Matt, Chris, and Wilger

Land Manager & Access Updates

  • Mark Updated spearfish attendees on recent meetings with Northern Hills Forest Service, Southern Hills Forest Service, and Mount Rushmore National Park

  • Still waiting to hear back about culvert project at Wrinkled Rock

  • A meeting with Custer State Park is being planned once the busy season ends

Beans & Carabiners Potluck

  • Potluck only, no ropes set

  • Held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend

  • Planning to host in South Seas, ideally closer to Toy Boat

  • Will notify Forest Service and NPS

Spearfish Scramble – Sept 20, 2025

  • 12-hour climbing event

  • Participants check in at Spearfish?

  • Participants climb where they want

  • Awards and afterparty in the evening

  • BHNFS confirmed we do not need a permit

  • Board decided to pull back on event until we meet with a lawyer to discuss liability risk mitigation

Insurance & Waivers

  • General liability covers things that are NOT inherent risks of climbing

  • The waiver will be reviewed with an attorney

  • Event accident insurance was denied (climbing considered a sport)

  • Board will vote August 28 on decision to proceed with event

Format

  • Looking at “personal challenge” style format

  • Maybe 5–6 a.m. check-in

  • Spearfish Tree Care (Mark Ellefsion) would like to sponsor if BHCC proceeds

Community Feedback/Open Comment Period

  • Need a bolting committee member in Spearfish

  • Possible bolting issues at Dark Side, Big Picture, and Shadowlands (incompatible bolts to hangers?) - will forward this to bolting committee

  • People want trail work days in Spearfish Canyon with BHCC

  • Northern Hills folks appreciated having the meeting in the morning and are excited about future BHCC involvement with northern hills climbing community

Black Hills Climbers Coalition