Brione and the new bouldering access agreement in Valle Verzasca

"The gates to heaven will remain open, but we’ll join it differently!" This is how Jonas Chapuis begins his blog dedicated to bouldering at Brione, in which the Valle Verzasca climber explains that access to this magnificent Swiss bouldering spot is on the line due to the increasing number of climbers on the one hand and, on the other, the all-important meadows used for grazing.

This situation isn't new - we first raised the alarm back in 2009 - but in the meantime it has evolved considerably seeing that an agreement has been reached between the local climbers and the landowners which allows access to the boulders, on condition that a few new rules are adhered to.

This agreement is very simple: only walk along the new path (marked with phosphorescent orange dots) and, from 31 March to 15 October, avoid the meadows altogether. Put in simple terms, this means absolutely no climbing at the sectors Black Mirror, Cellar Door and all the other boulders located in the meadows. During this period it will not be possible to stop for a picnic, take a nap, work on your sun tan, play etc.

The risk is a definitive closure of the area and as Chapuis writes "From now on, the possibility of climbing in this area will depend on the following of these rules by all climbers." The request is as obvious as it is pressing.