With help from Olympic silver medalist Nathaniel Coleman, a Salt Lake City climbing conservation group looks to preserve Little Cottonwood Canyon bouldering. Their new film aims to highlight — and help save — the canyon’s world-class boulders.
In the midst of a controversial and high-profile Utah Department of Transportation project, climbing resources in Little Cottonwood Canyon are under threat.
In response, local climbing organization The Salt Lake Climber’s Alliance (SLCA) looks to tell Little Cottonwood’s story. The canyon’s granite holds world-class boulders and offers unique experiential qualities.
But expanded transportation infrastructure geared toward the ski resorts at the top of the canyon may alter the cherished resources forever.
The proposals include a gondola that would require substantial construction or added bus-only lanes that would wipe out many roadside boulders.
“Home Crag” is the latest statement of Little Cottonwood Canyon climbing advocacy from the SLCA, with help from Gnarly Nutrition.
The film stars Olympic climber and lifelong Utahn Nathaniel Coleman. It aims to express the historical importance and irreplaceable value of Little Cottonwood climbing.
Produced by Headlamp Studios, it also highlights the united perspectives of leading rock climbing proponents. In the film, SLCA Executive Director Julia Geisler and USA Climbing CEO Marc Norman both weigh in.
In no uncertain terms, Geisler speaks to the threat the gondola or bus lanes pose.
“The UDOT proposals of a gondola and additional lanes in Little Cottonwood Canyon constitute the greatest threat to climbing in the Wasatch that we have ever seen,” Geisler said.
“From a shared passion for Little Cottonwood climbing and its importance to the global climbing community, ‘Home Crag’ was born.”
An initial in-person screening of “Home Crag” in Salt Lake City sold out on Jan. 12. The full film is free and available to stream as of Jan. 13.
Runtime: 12.5 minutes
