October 2025 Meeting

Treasurer & Bolting Committee Report

Treasurer Report

  • Current balance (as of end of September): $23,500

  • Year-to-date change: + $2,400 (primarily from Pumpfest proceeds)

  • Debit card was recently compromised — replacement card obtained and website billing updated.
    No other comments on this at the time of the meeting

Bolting Committee Report

  • Ongoing bolt replacement and maintenance projects; recent work includes:

    • Replacements at Read My Clips, X Marks the Spot, and Ankles Away.

    • Planning next bolting day in Spearfish area (Thunderhead) to fix improperly placed hangers.

  • Possible new Northern Hills Member: Mark Ellefson 

  • Materials update: $300 of glue ordered and reimbursed by the Coalition.

No questions or comments on this topic at this time.

Tiny House Donation

  • Discussion concluded that BHCC is not in a position to accept or manage this type of donation.

  • Concerns included logistics, liability, and storage.

  • Suggestion: Offer opportunity to members who may want to manage or store it independently.

  • If no volunteer steps up, the donation will be declined at the next meeting.

Land Manager & Access Updates

  • USFS (Brad): Meeting delayed due to federal government shutdown.

    • Mark describes that the horse trails have been limited due to an overlate in thei rpermite, so they are restoring that area, and ask for us to not have obvious signs to climbing at buckhorn and delta dome

  • Custer State Park (Jayme): Annual meeting planned for first week in Nov., subject to delay depending response.

  • Campground Boulder Access - will have this conversation with Jayme on that meeting day

  • Homestar Boulder-mark describes the conversation with Lydia about how they restored the area to allow us to keep bouldering 

  • Graffiti at Needles Eye

  • Mount Rushmore: No current updates; new superintendent has been hired. Contacted Rylan about bolting compendium proposal

Mark talks about following up with Ryland about the compendium again.

Matt E talks about some Rushmore Ranger who mentioned that they would like to start a CLimbing ranger he also mentions a (class rock climbing awareness, that we could put it on for fire departments & such)

  • Spearfish Canyon: Trail maintenance at Dark Side completed by a community member no trail day needed.
    Questions bout what the trial days look like. Mark R mentions its more about restoring and creating a trail/belay area than making new ones or ‘cleaning up’ brush.

    • Question “how long does a trail have to be present in order to “maintain it”. The question was answered with “where its going needs to be an effective trail, and most exist that way, but theres a less abusive way to get to point B from point A thats where we can main”.

Homestar Boulder & Needles Eye Graffiti

  • Homestar Boulder:addressed above

    • Local climbers raised concerns about landing safety.

    • Land managers confirmed a gravel landing pad has been installed — well received by climbers.

  • Needles Eye Area:addressed above

    • Graffiti (names written on rock at Hitching Post and Thimble) was removed same day by Peyton and John.

    • Continued reminder to report vandalism immediately to BHCC or land managers.

Beans & Carabiners Potluck Review

  • Event was a great success with a strong turnout and plenty of food.

  • Many attendees discovered the event while climbing and chose to stay — excellent outreach opportunity.

  • Running the event without ropes worked well — more relaxed and allowed board members to focus on education and engagement.

  • Low-key atmosphere; no land managers in attendance this year.

No other questions or comments on this topic

Spearfish Scramble Update

  • Permit Status: Valerie confirmed that no permit is required based on the event structure.

  • Waiver: Received pro bono from Lawyer consult

  • Once waiver is finalized, planning can open for next year

Mark invites people to get involved in the process of spearfish scramble planning.

Upcoming Topics & Announcements

  • Board Elections:

    • Begin identifying potential new board members and re-elections.

    • Jason plans to step down; Mark R. interested in running for Member-at-Large.

    • Discussion on staggering election terms for smoother transitions.

    • Peyton not seeking re-election as Publicist; interested in President

    • Brandon not interested in running again

    • Kiersten Ruen interested in publicist position 

    • taren bergdale interested in president 

    • John lang unsure to re run for secretary 

    • Ron rerun as member at large

    • Jim unsure about treasury

Matt mentions the way the biking community does elections where they vote for chair members and then their positions are deviated when they are all elected.

  • Standard Operating Procedure Document:

    • Working draft created by Jim to clarify board meeting goals

    • Procedure doc in the works to help ease transition of power in board positions .

    • Will serve as a resource for new board members and those continuing in their positions.

No other comments on this at the time of the meeting

Mark mentions that parks and rec reached out to the coalition to possibly bolt the walls over by the dog park. Mark mentions that he told park and recs that we dont normally do that, but would be willing to go check out what hes hoping for.

  • Open Discussion Items:
    Mark opens up,

  • Talks about the conn documentary about getting it brought here.

  • Peyton asks how we are going to vote for board members and where the christmas party is going to be.

  • Ideas for christmas party include:cohort, BB’s natural, the box, alex johnson, hay camp

  • Dayna volunteers charcuterie board donate.

  • Elections would be online voting, and then christmas party

  • Murray asks about his proposition to add some bolts to critical view, was discussed at board meeting and board would like to take it to Vern phinny to see if he will let us.

  • Matt Emrich says he has good use for people to donate old harnesses and shoes

Black Hills Climbers Coalition