ERVING, Mass. (Dec. 12, 2025) — Today, the Western Massachusetts Climbers’ Coalition (WMCC) and Access Fund proudly announce the purchase of a 70-acre property at Farley Ledges in Erving, MA. The newly acquired parcel improves public access to one of Massachusetts’ premier climbing destinations with a new trailhead and parking lot planned for the property. 

The purchase was funded through Access Fund’s Climbing Conservation Loan Program with additional support from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, and Central Rock Gym.

This acquisition represents the second phase of WMCC’s multiyear “Farley Conservation Initiative,” designed to enhance public access and safeguard climbing at Farley Ledges. Historically, climbing access has been challenging due to a complex patchwork of public and private land ownership.

Photo by Jackson Chen

With this new purchase, WMCC is moving closer to its vision to secure long term public access to the Ledges with sufficient parking, ATV access for emergency crews, and permanent protection of the cliff.

“This project marks a major milestone in a 20 year long effort to expand access to Massachusetts’ premier rock climbing,” says founding WMCC member, Jon LaValley. “There’s no shame in the long game.” Jon was one of the members who first approached the land owner over 20 years ago.

Farley Ledge is renowned for its striking gneiss formations that include approximately 400 pitches of roped climbing and an equal number of boulder problems. As the closest major climbing area to Boston, the area is estimated to see around 10,000 visitors annually. In addition to the outdoor recreation opportunities, the acquisition protects over 70 acres of some of the most climate-resilient land in the Northeast. The property will sequester an estimated 17 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year.  

View of Miller’s River Photo Credit: Stephanie Giguere

“Access Fund has maintained a long partnership with WMCC dating back to the very beginning of our loan program,” says Access Fund’s national acquisitions director, Brian Tickle. “This most recent acquisition permanently protects access to one of the prized crags in the Northeast and we’re honored to be a part of it.”

Public access to the newly purchased parcel will remain limited while WMCC develops the necessary infrastructure to allow for public access. However, WMCC will host periodic volunteer days so the community can get involved in the trail work needed to open the property. 

To learn more about WMCC and Farley Ledges, visit www.climbgneiss.org. To donate to WMCC and the Farley Ledge project, visit www.donorbox.org/farley.

About WMCC

The Western Massachusetts Climbers’ Coalition (WMCC) is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer climbers’ organization that works to build inclusive relationships with diverse advocacy groups, state and local governments, landowners, and conservation groups to keep climbing areas open and accessible to climbers from all backgrounds, and to conserve the climbing environment in Western Massachusetts.

About Access Fund  

Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Founded in 1991, Access Fund supports and represents millions of climbers nationwide through land acquisition, land owner support, policy, and stewardship. Through its network of nearly 140 local climbing organizations, Access Fund has successfully completed nearly 100 land acquisition projects resulting in the protection of over 17,000 acres of climbing areas and nearly 14,000 routes and boulder problems. www.accessfund.org.