ACCESS NOTICES
Climb Nova Scotia would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Viewpoint.ca for their support of our ongoing access initiatives.
Viewpoint.ca is a very handy website that provides real estate information for Nova Scotia properties via a handy map interface. Through Viewpoint, CNS is able to monitor the status of important climbing destinations around the province.
If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate in Nova Scotia, Viewpoint.ca is a great resource that also offers mortgage and insurance services. Thank you Viewpoint for your help!
NOVA SCOTIA ACCESS TO CLIMBING NOTICES
As the climbing community grows, we must manage our impact and presence at other crags/trails on privately owned land. At the rest of our crags, please respect parking, road access, trail access, and of course, maintain strict Leave No Trace principles. Carpool when possible to reduce traffic at parking, and if a crag seems full, please climb somewhere else. Our use of outdoor crags is fully dependent on the climbing community maintaining excellent relationships with all stakeholders, including property owners, government and the general public. Please do your part.
The property owner for the road accessing, and land surrounding, Neverland in Musquodoboit, has contacted us to communicate that ALL public access on that property, including for climbing, is closed immediately.
We ask that you respect the landowner's wishes and not return to Neverland. We realize this is disappointing for some of you but we need to respect the landowner and not return. Please tell anyone who you think might be interested in Neverland as this closure is effective immediately.
Thank you.
​
Access to the Following locations closed indefinitely
-
Neverland Crag
-
Terrance Bay Woods Bouldering Area
A new trial was found and flagged recently to provide access to Grover in Terrence Bay. This work was done in response to the loss of access via the old route (mentioned in the Halifax Bouldering guidebook) which crossed private land. Please note, climbers are NOT PERMITTED to use the old access path by the rusty milk truck as it now has a house built on the middle of it.
​
​
​
The new trail is completely on Crown land and is actually shorter by about 300m than the old way. Access the new trail by parking in the usual Grover pullout, then walking north for about 50 m back toward Lower Prospect Road where you just came from. The trailhead is intentionally subtle and begins with what looks like an old ATV trail. The first 10m of the trail is swampy and uncleared on purpose. Follow this new trail for 460m until you gain the granite ATV trail system on the other side of the lake and continue along the old route until you get to the river crossing at Quarry Lake as usual.
Although this is Crown land climbers should remember that climbing at Grover is a privilege, not a right and we should keep a low profile.
​
​
​
Climb Nova Scotia has been contacted by the owners of First Face crag. Apparently someone on Paces Lake Drive has complained to them that several times dozens of people have been seen trespassing on a neighbor’s property, camping out and making fires, and leaving litter and garbage behind. We have also been advised that neither the dockside nor the pullout parking spots are public, and in fact, the entire road is private all the way to the highway.
The owners have requested that climbers do not park on Paces Lake Drive – park only on the side of the 357HWY and walk-in, being careful to stay on the path along the water’s edge and away from the houses on Paces Lake Drive. The landowners expressed their satisfaction with their relationship with Climb Nova Scotia and do not have plans to revoke climbing privileges provided we respect their wishes.
I’m confident that the climbing community is not responsible for this disrespectful and boorish behavior, but that is beside the point. Likewise, I know you will all continue to show respect for the people who are kind enough to allow us access to their land to enjoy climbing.
Stick to clear and designated trails and strive to Leave No Trace that you were there. Always pack out your own trash and any other rubbish you might find and note that there are no camping or fires permitted at First Face. Remember that climbing on private land is a privilege not a right. Please do not park on Paces Lake Drive when climbing at First Face.
***There has been a new trail cut that accesses the First Face Crag from the top.***
​
​
​
Please note that bouldering is not permitted at the Terrence Bay Woods area (ie. Bloodflame, Half Dozen Donuts, Redbull, etc). You may still climb at the Inbangyang area just off Nice View Drive at the head of the ATV trail.
​
​
​
Effective March 1, 2011, Norm Stone no longer operates the boat service to Dover Island. Climbers interested in visiting Dover should now contact Laurence “Rod” Morash at 902-488-4545 at OceanSpray B&B. Please be respectful of Rod’s time and effort. Give him proper notice of your planned trip and call him at least 3 days ahead of time. Leave a message if he does not answer. He will call you back.
Parking is usually available at OceanSpray B&B, but you may want to confirm as parking priority is for B&B guests. Consider staying with Rod if you are coming from out of town – you won’t find friendlier or more convenient accommodation anywhere!
The cost is $20.00 per person, with a minimum boat charge of $80.00. That is, if you only have 3 people, the boat shall be $27.00 a head. If you have 4 people or more, the rate is $20.00 a head. Note that dogs are not permitted on the boat.
Rod, Gizzell, and Norm have provided an unprecedented level of support to the climbing community for more than a decade. Be courteous and follow the above guidelines.
​
​