Once in a lifetime, an opportunity comes along to protect a world class climbing and scenic area…FOREVER. Whether you climb, hike or just like to look at nature’s wild beauty, these black granite towers at the west end of Donner Lake are some of the most dramatic terrain in the entire north Tahoe/Truckee region.

BLACK WALL is a natural gem. Even the two approach trails are a beautiful mix of open granite slabs and boulders, rushing snowmelt streams, wildflower patches and stands of mixed pine, alder and heavy brush. From the base of the crags the vistas of Donner Lake, the Sierra Crest and the Carson Range are among the finest in all the northern Sierra. And they only get better the higher you climb.

The property surrounding BLACK WALL has been privately owned since the mid 1800’s. At long last the owners have decided to sell 10+ acres to protect the rock climbing and natural beauty forever. The nationally-respected Truckee Donner Land Trust and climber-centric Access Fund have partnered to acquire and manage the property and protect its beauty and climbing opportunities in perpetuity. As an added bonus the BLACK WALL property includes the super-accessible ROAD CUT and PEANUT GALLERY sport climbing crags, plus the critical access trails to the five-star sport climbing of SPACE WALL and the moderate crack climbs of STEALTH WALL. One 10-acre purchase secures FIVE different climbing areas.

LET’S DO IT! SAVE DONNER CLIMBING…FOREVER!

OUR GOAL is to raise enough money to buy the 10-ACRE property outright and provide crucial funds for longterm management, not only of the 10 acres, but, in partnership with The US Forest Service, Caltrans and Union Pacific Railroad, will help protect and mitigate human impacts on all the climbing areas, access trails, and parking areas in the Donner Summit region.

Donors of $500 or more (tax-deductible) will have their names inscribed in bronze near a new scenic bench that enjoys a grand vista of all BLACK WALL. In addition to the plaque inscription, donors of $5000 or more will receive a limited edition framed Save Donner Climbing Forever poster.

Donations can be made to the Truckee Donner Land Trust’s BLACK WALL fund via this link or by mailing a check or money order to the Truckee Donner Land Trust at PO Box 8816, Truckee, CA 96162.

BLACK WALL has been a destination climbing crag for generations with early explorations by Yosemite legends such as Warren Harding and Royal Robbins, and loads of first ascents by Stonemasters like Max Jones, Mark Hudon, and Jim Bridwell. Year after year, new climbing routes are discovered and developed so the opportunity for challenge and discovery continues into the future.

DONNER SUMMIT has world class climbing in four key categories: 1) quality of rock, 2) quality of routes, 3) ease of access, and 4) quality of community.

The climbing is superb on rock so solid and finely textured it is a pleasure just to touch. The climbing routes here have been pioneered for more than fifty years and range from deep cave-like chimneys and low-angle slabs for beginners, to overhanging test pieces for experts, to splitter cracks and sport routes for all skill levels. In all the world there are few climbing areas with so many great quality crags so close to easy parking. And there are few climbing areas so friendly and open to visiting climbers, hikers, cyclists and families. The climbers who live here and have pioneered these routes for decades are the same ones working hard to buy Black Wall and protect this heritage for generations to come. We invite you to join us, to buy, protect and enjoy this magnificent resource, and share it with your children as we share it with ours.