2008 Annual Report

2008
ANNUAL REPORT
2008
2008
The AF Perspective
2/3
About the Access Fund
Reflecting on the accomplishments
of the Access Fund over the last 18
years, we have a lot to be proud of.
What started as a small, committed
group of advocates is now a national
organization with thousands of
members and affiliates all working in
concert to keep climbing areas open
and healthy.
The Access Fund is the national
advocacy organization that keeps U.S.
climbing areas open and conserves
the climbing environment. Five core
programs support this mission:
climbing management policy, local
support and mobilization, stewardship
and conservation, land acquisition
and protection, and education.
Founded in 1991, the Access Fund
supports and represents over 1.6
million climbers in all forms of
climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing,
mountaineering, and bouldering.
We couldn’t have accomplished all that
we have without your support. Thank
you for your donations of time, money,
and expertise. The Access Fund is
nothing without your involvement.
Table of Contents
front cover photo
Keith Ladzinski
back cover photo
Keith Ladzinski
• Our constant presence in
Washington, D.C. and throughout
the country ensures that climbers’
interests continue to be a priority
in the minds of land
managers and in
all its
agency budgets.
Climbing, in all its
Climbing, in
forms, is now viewed
forms, is now viewed
as a legitimate and
• Our relentless work
valued use of most
as a legitimate and
on fixed anchors has
public lands. We are
prevented new bans in
valued
use
of
most
holding fixed anchor
Wilderness for over 10
bans at bay. We are
public lands.
years.
building the biggest
• The nationwide Adopt a Crag
climbing stewardship program in
program helps to keep climbing
history. And we continue to help put
areas open and healthy.
private climbing areas into friendly
hands by securing acquisitions
• Our new TeamWorks program is
and leases through our Climbing
teaching young gym climbers the
Preservation Grants Program.
importance of stewardship and
The Access Fund has over 15,000
members and affiliates and the
support of the climbing industry. We
work with hundreds of corporate and
community partners, 70 affiliated local
climbing organizations, and 30 regional
coordinators to advocate on behalf of
climbers nationwide.
About the Access Fund
The AF Perspective
Financial Report
LCO Profile
Access Fund 2008 Awards
Local Support & Mobilization
Climbing Preservation Grants
Climbing Management Policy
Stewardship & Conservation Access Fund Members
Regional Coordinator Profile
Corporate Partners
Regional Coordinators
Community Partners
Athlete Ambassadors
Local Climbing Organizations
Board of Directors and Staff in the Red River Gorge, give local
activists and organizations the
resources to put private climbing
areas in safe hands.
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3
4/5
6
7
8
9
10/11
12/13
14/15
16
17
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19
20
21
23
But our work is far from completed.
There are new challenges every day.
Development continues to encroach
on climbing on private lands. Budget
cuts at land management agencies
nationwide threaten climbing access.
Fixed anchors in Wilderness are still at
risk. As climbing becomes more and
more popular, climbers must continue
to prove that we are responsible
stewards of the land.
conservation.
Thanks to you, we are able to keep
working on these issues and more.
As you’ll see from this report, in spite
of the national economic downturn,
the Access Fund is as strong and
engaged as ever. We hope you will
continue to support us and direct your
personal and professional resources
toward our mission.
Best Regards,
King Grant
President of the Board
Here are just a few examples of how
we are addressing these threats:
• Our grants program and grassroots
initiatives, like the recent Access
Fund Land Conservation Summit
photo Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
Brady Robinson
Executive Director
2008
2008
The Numbers Support
Total
Individual, Foundation, & Organizational Support
Member Dues
Corporate Sponsorships and Grants In-kind Contributions
Other Income $230,717
$419,987
$260,927
$137,823
$18,943
Total support
$1,068,397
Financial Summary
4/5
Despite the economic downturn, 2008 was a stable year for the Access Fund. With
a strong base of committed new activists, we tackled a challenging year head-on.
Member recruitment saw a 3.5% increase in 2008, with overall membership
contributing a total of $419,987 in income. Corporate sponsorship remained
steadfast, with $260,927 in donations, while individual, foundation, and
organizational support accounted for $230,717.
Our outreach, national policy, and special programs accounted for $666,923 in
expenditures, allowing us to focus on the projects that offer the most benefit
to the climbing community. Keeping you informed through our communications
program accounted for $161,976 in expenditures, and administrative and
fundraising expenditures totaled $217,364.
The Access Fund ended the year maintaining a strong financial position. We
acknowledge the challenging times ahead and are adjusting accordingly, but we
look forward to new initiatives planned for 2009.
Sources
Corporate Sponsorships
& Grants
24%
Member Dues
39%
Functional Expenses
National Policy, Acquisitions & Special Programs
Climber Outreach & Education
Communications Fundraising
General & Administrative Total
Total functional expenses
$1,046,263
End of Year Net Assets
$431,029
Individual, Foundation &
Organizational Support
22%
Other Income
2%
In-kind
Contributions
13%
$305,963
$360,960 $161,976
$112,650
$104,714
Climber Outreach &
Education
35%
Fundraising
11%
Uses
National Policy, Acquisitions
& Special Programs
29%
photo Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
General &
Administrative
10%
Communications
15%
photo Eric Whalen
2008
Access Fund 2008 Awards
6/7
Each year the Access Fund recognizes individuals and businesses that volunteer
their time and efforts to preserve climbing access and the climbing environment.
These recipients stand out in their commitment to the American climbing
community, and we are honored to present this year’s awards to a worthy group
of volunteers and activists.
2008
Local Climbing Organization Profile:
Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento (CRAGS)
Boasting nearby access to many
valuable climbing resources in the
Sierra Nevada Range and its foothills,
the Sacramento area was in need of an
organized group of climbing activists.
In the summer of 2008, the Access
Fund sent our grassroots coordinator
to Sacramento to provide guidance
and resources to local climbers who
expressed an interest in setting up
their own affiliate local climbing
organization. The locals responded
with remarkable energy, quickly
rallying local support, setting up
bylaws, writing a mission statement,
and working toward their 501(c)3. And
the Climbing Resource Advocates for
Greater Sacramento (CRAGS) was born.
In their first year of operation, CRAGS
is nearly 20 members strong and is
working seamlessly with the Access
Fund. They are tapping into our
national resources to help resolve
local issues. They are taking part
in the Access Fund’s TeamWorks
program, partnering with Sacramento
climbing team Summit Party to host
an Adopt a Crag at the Rocklin Quarry
that contributed over 200 volunteer
hours to local stewardship last year.
CRAGS is currently working to reopen
access to the limestone quarry at
Auburn State Recreation Area. They
are also working to promote the
TeamWorks program at local gyms
in the Sacramento and Bay areas,
furthering our mission of helping
young gym climbers make the
transition to responsible outdoor
climbing.
The Access Fund is pleased with how far
CRAGS has come in such a short time,
and is proud to call them an affiliate.
Bebie Leadership Award
Steve Johnson
We honor Steve Johnson as America’s
outstanding activist for the cause
of preserving climbing access and
the climbing environment. Steve has
shown leadership and extraordinary
perseverance for nearly two decades
in the fight to open Bridal Veil Falls
in Telluride, Colorado. Steve, a lawyer
by trade, was also instrumental in the
recent acquisition of Mother’s Buttress
in Unaweep Canyon, donating all of
the necessary legal work.
Reese Martin Award
Brian Poulsen
We honor Brian Poulsen for his
outstanding leadership as an Access
Fund regional coordinator in California.
Brian is a founding member of CRAGS
(Climbing Resource Advocates for
Greater Sacramento) and has spent
dozens of hours working with local
climbers and state land managers
in an effort to reopen access to the
quarry at Auburn State Recreation
Area. Brian has also volunteered his
time to advocate for climbing access
to Tuolumne Meadows at National Park
Service planning meetings in Yosemite.
Sharp End Award
Jonah Harrison
Jonah’s work with the Washington
Climbers Coalition has been
instrumental in protecting access at
Gold Bar and reopening new-route
development in the Skagit River Gorge.
Jonah also spearheaded, along with
the Washington Trails Association
and Wilderness Society, a TeamWorks
project that harnessed the energies
of the Vertical World Climbing Team in
Seattle to build a climbing access trail
to new crags at Newhalem. Jonah also
donates his time as an Access Fund
regional coordinator for Washington
State.
Sharp End Award
Cameron Cross
Cameron has worked to alleviate
tensions between climbers, park
affiliates, and land proprietors in many
Colorado climbing areas, including
Mt. Evans, Poudre Canyon, Rocky
Mountain National Park, Carter Lake,
and Arthur’s Rock. Founder and
president of the Northern Colorado
Climbers Coalition, he has also been
the main organizer of the Horsetooth
Hang, a Fort Collins bouldering
festival that consists of costumes,
competition, and cleanup.
Sharp End Award
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)
Over the past two years, the Access
Fund has witnessed a commitment to
future consciousness in the outdoor
clean-up projects organized at Eastern
Mountain Sports’ corporate office and
retail stores. In addition to ongoing
support of the Conservation Alliance,
the Outdoor Industry Foundation, and
the American Hiking Society, Eastern
Mountain Sports has also donated
a portion of key sales events to the
Access Fund.
photo Keith Ladzinski
2008 Climbing Preservation Grants
8/9
The Access Fund helps protect climbing resources by providing financial support
through the Access Fund Climbing Preservation Grants Program. Presented three
times a year, these grants help fund projects that preserve or enhance climbing
access and opportunities throughout the United States. In 2008, the Access Fund
awarded $37,500 to 10 worthy organizations.
Western CO Climbers’ Coalition
Mother Buttress – CO
A grant was awarded for the
acquisition of the Upper and Middle
Mother’s Buttress crags in Unaweep
Canyon, CO to secure climbing access
in perpetuity.
2008
Local Support and Mobilization
When a local climbing access issue occurs, the best line of defense is almost
always local climbers familiar with the area and the issues. That is why
a critical piece of the Access Fund’s work is encouraging, organizing, and
supporting local climbers to join together. Each local volunteer adds to the
strength and voice of our climbing community. The Access Fund helps pull
these individual volunteers and organizations into a grassroots network that
not only increases climbers’ influence on national policy issues, but acts as
a channel for extending climbing advocacy and stewardship work.
Some highlights from the grassroots network:
• Southeastern Climbers Coalition hits its stride with land acquisition,
closing on Yellow Bluff, and making plans for Steele
• Friends of Williamson Rock’s dogged perseverance and work with the
Access Fund leads to the USFS allocating funds for Williamson trail
study, giving new hope for reopening climbing access
• New local climbing organizations join the network: Maine Climbers
Alliance, Climbers of Hueco Tanks, Climbing Resource Advocates for
Greater Sacramento (CRAGS), and Denver Climbers Coalition
• Boise Climbers Alliance gets a refresh with new projects underway and a
newly launched website
Utah Open Lands
Castleton Tower Trail – UT
A grant was awarded to Utah Open
Lands to help rebuild the Castleton
Tower trail. A late summer storm
caused major damage to the trail. The
trail rebuilding project was part of a
three-day Adopt a Crag event last fall.
Telluride Mountain Club
Bridal Veil Falls Kiosk – CO
In anticipation of the reopening
of Bridal Veil Falls, the Access
Fund awarded a grant to build an
educational kiosk at the trailhead to
help promote access guidelines.
Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition
Start-up – CO
A grant was awarded to help fund the
start-up costs of their local climbing
organization. The grant will help
pay for legal filing fees and website
development.
Carolina Climbers Coalition
Laurel Knob – NC
The grant helped pay off the remaining
balance of the loan used to purchase
Laurel Knob in 2006, preventing
development in an endangered
climbing area.
Mohonk Preserve
Trailhead Toilet – NY
The grant went toward a two-unit solar
vented toilet at the West Trapps trailhead,
an environmentally friendly solution to
human waste issues in the area.
The Mid-Atlantic Climbers Coalition
Graffiti Removal – MD
The grant funded graffiti removal supplies
for clean-up of the Northwest Branch
bouldering area in Washington, D.C.
Muir Valley Nature Preserve
Creek Crossing – KY
The grant helped with the installation
of more permanent creek crossings to
address heavy spring flooding.
CRAG-VT
Upper West Bolton Cliff – VT
The grant helped pay for the
acquisition of the Upper West Bolton
Cliff, which permanently preserves
access to climbing at this popular and
historic cliff.
Yosemite Climbing Association
Yosemite Facelift – CA
The grant went to support the annual
Adopt a Crag event, during which
volunteers and park employees collect
thousands of pounds of garbage
from roadways, campgrounds, river
corridors, trails, and climbing areas.
photo Matt Stark
2008
Climbing Management Policy Highlights 10/11
Local Climbing Management Plans
The Access Fund advocates for the interests of climbers in local communities
throughout the country. The following highlights are just a few of the areas
where the Access Fund and the local climbing community have been fighting to
conserve climbing resources.
• In conjunction with the Friends of Williamson Rock, the Access Fund
launched a letter-writing campaign to Congress and the Angeles National
Forest to end a deadlock on the longstanding closure at Williamson Rock in
California. Progress was recently seen in the form of funding allocation for
an alternate trail analysis.
• The Access Fund has been meeting with Congressional staff and officials
at the USFS regarding a flawed climbing closure proposal at Cleveland
National Forest in California. We were able to obtain a letter of support from
CA congressman and USDA Undersecretary requesting an analysis of the
proposal.
• In conjunction with the Washington Climbers Coalition, the Access Fund has
been working to negotiate with the National Park Service to reopen portions
of the Skagit River Gorge in Washington to new route development.
• The Access Fund has been meeting with BLM officials to obtain a revised
planning process for the Red Rocks Wilderness Plan that would unduly
regulate fixed anchors.
National Policy Work
The Access Fund continues to advocate in Washington, D.C. on climbing
management issues of national significance. Some highlights of this work in
2008 include:
• The Access Fund continues to hold meetings with all federal wilderness
management agencies, providing presentations on the history and current
status of the Fixed Anchors in Wilderness issue.
2008
Climbing Management Policy
The Access Fund is the leading voice of the climbing community in
both political and land management arenas. Much of the Access
Fund’s policy work takes place in Washington, D.C., where we meet
with government officials about issues key to the interests of the
climbing community. The land management aspect of our work
focuses on helping to mitigate and/or solve climbing-specific issues
by assisting land owners and managers with the creation of effective
climbing management plans.
• We are working to obtain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
National Park Service, as well as renew existing MOUs with the Bureau of
Land Management and United States Forest Service, framing cooperative
relationships on climbing management on federal lands.
• In 2008 the Access Fund’s work with the Outdoor Alliance focused on
taking the lead advocacy role in Washington, D.C. on 1872 Mining Law
Reform, assisting in the media and lobbying campaign for Roadless Area
Conservation, contributing to a position paper on the effects of Climate
Change on the human-powered recreation community, and advocating for
budget allocation for climbing resources in the federal land agency stimulus
funding packages.
2008
Stewardship & Conservation: Adopt-a-Crag 12/13
We are pleased to announce that this has been Adopt a Crag’s biggest year yet,
with over 6,500 climbers contributing more than 37,000 hours to help conserve
the climbing areas they love. Each year the Access Fund and its sponsors award
Adopt a Crag organizers that went above and beyond.
2008 Adopt a Crag of the Year Award
Central Texas Mountaineers
REI and the Access Fund are proud to
honor the Central Texas Mountaineers
(CTM) for participating in nine different
Adopt a Crag projects this year. From
rappelling down bridges to picking
up trash and rehabilitating trails
at Reimers Ranch, CTM shows how
dedicated they are to the land they
use. Over 200 volunteers contributed
almost 1,000 hours of their time to
rehabilitating their local areas.
2008
Stewardship & Conservation: TeamWorks
The fall of 2008 had our grassroots coordinator wide-eyed as she plowed through stacks
of TeamWorks scorecards, tallying the totals for the Access Fund’s inaugural year of the
TeamWorks program. The team that came out on top was team Escalade of Kennesaw,
Georgia. The Escalade team took to this competition, which is judged by total volunteer
hours spent hosting or participating in Access Fund Adopt a Crag events, like they take to
climbing itself––with vengeance. The kids hosted three events that drew 156 volunteers,
who contributed a total of 477 volunteer hours to local conservation and stewardship.
When asked what the defining moment of the TeamWorks experience was for his team,
Coach Chris Sierzant commented, “The looks on their faces when they saw over 90
volunteers show up for the Little River Canyon Adopt a Crag. They realized how big of a
difference they could make in the community.”
GOLDEN TOOTHBRUSH: Escalade climbing team – Kennesaw, Georgia
SECOND PLACE: Adrenaline climbing team – Suwanee, Georgia
THIRD PLACE: Vertical World climbing team – Seattle, Washington
TeamWorks is made possible by the generous support of our corporate sponsors,
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), GORE-TEX® Products, The North Face, CLIF Bar, Urban
Climber Magazine, USA Climbing.
The Access Fund 2008 Stewardship Award
Mid-Atlantic Climbers
GORE-TEX® Products and the Access
Fund are proud to honor the MidAtlantic Climbers, who have been
hosting hugely successful Adopt a
Crag events since 2002. This year they
reported record-breaking attendance,
with a total of 320 volunteers
contributing over 1,800 volunteer
hours. Mid-Atlantic Climbers hosted
three Adopt a Crag events, which
included trail rehabilitation and litter
cleanup.
2008 Conservation Award
Dave Erley
CLIF Bar and the Access Fund are
proud to honor Dave Erley, the
Southeastern Field Agent for Utah
Open Lands, for hosting the Castleton
Tower Stewardship Day. Dave
organized 30 volunteers to rehabilitate
trails for three full days and remove
invasive weeds for another full day.
Volunteers contributed approximately
1,000 hours to helping preserve
the access trail and campground at
Castleton Tower.
2008 League of Their Own Award
Ken Yager and Yosemite Climbing
Association
Last year the Access Fund started the
League of Their Own Award to honor
Ken Yager and the Yosemite Climbing
Association (YCA) for their amazing
efforts organizing the Yosemite
Facelift. This year we are privileged
to give this award to Ken and the
YCA yet again. In 2008, the Yosemite
Facelift hosted over 2,000 volunteers
who contributed almost 18,000 hours
to conserving Yosemite’s precious
resources.
Adopt-a-Crag Program Growth
The program’s continued growth is
a testament to its ability to unite
climbers around conservation and
stewardship of our climbing areas.
37,500
32,500
30,000
18,000
2004
20,000
2005
2006
2007
Volunteer Hours
2008
2008
Access Fund Members
ABOVE THE CLOUDS $10,000+
Anonymous (2)
Sam Lightner, Jr
Dan Nordstrom
Brian Palmer
GRANITE $9,999-$2,500
Anonymous (1)
Jim & Sam Boyd
Miron Chlebosz
Mark Clancy
Paul Fish
King & Tracy Grant
Kyle & Cindy Lefkoff
Richard Sertich & Marte
Lightstone
James McNally Jr
Alan Proctor Jr
Beaver & Pam Theodosakis
Carter & Michelle Thomas
Dirk, Nancy, Tucker & Brittany
Tyler
Doug & Maggie Walker
LIMESTONE $2,499-$1,000
Anonymous (4)
Samuel Adams
AMC; NY Chapter
Thea Leonard & Andy Beerman
Dina Boon & Jim Bennett
Don Brandsgaard
Anthony Bubb
Central Texas Mountaineers
Keith Cole
Joanne Ernst & Jim Collins
Paul Diefenderfer
Jennifer Dow
Gregg Drees
Ethan Evans
Nicolas Falacci
Timothy Forbes
Charlotte Fox
Jeff Frome
Wayne Fuller
Bruce & Janna Genereaux
David Goldstein
Alan & Cheryl Higham
Anne Watson & Thomas Isaacson
Bonnie Kamps
Nancy Kaplan
Michael Kennedy
Saskia Keyes
Andy & Wendy Laakmann
Randy Leavitt
Roger & Brenda Linfield
Leslie Brown & Claude Mallegol
Jim Mattson Jr
Sarah Merner & Craig McKibben
Armando Menocal
Chris Parks
Allen Peery
Bryce Perkins
Stephen Pomerance
Keith Rampmeier
Jerome Rappaport
Corey Rich
W. Tobias & Anne Sherrill
David E. Smith
Stephen Sponagle
Stephanie Sullivan
Robert Sullivan Jr
John Taladay
Randy & Carolyn Taylor
Jennifer & Michael Tennican
Chris Ticknor
Christopher Walker
Javier Wasiak
Bruce Pech & Wendy Weiss
QUARTZITE $999-$500
Anonymous (6)
Rick Accomazzo
David Apple
John M. Barry
K. C. Baum
Richard Booth
Tanya Bradby
J.P. Brastad
Lance & Carrie Brock
Alexander Buell
Larry Casper
Paul Certa
Timothy Craighead
Stephen Cuplin
Mark Dryden
Cheryl & James Duckworth
Maria Enrione
Lisa & Phil Ensign
John Erickson
Martha Feagin
John Feagin
Jonathan & Petrina Fisher
Lisa Claudy & Charles Fleischman
Friends of Seneca
Todd Gandee
Carla Geisser
Christine Bailey & Wes Glebe
David Goeddel
Richard Griffith
Justin Gugajew
Thad Harlow
Ken Haynes
Scot Hillman
Rodney Hunter
Loren Jahn
Thomas Janson
Sally Jewell
Charles Karnavy & Tin-Na Kan
Kris Karlen
Susan Lancelotta & Nick Koutrelakos
H. Grant Law Jr
Henry & Peyton Lester
Ross Levinsky
Elizabeth Regan-Lowe & George
Lowe III
Danny McCracken
Philip & Iliana Mindlin
Joel Nachman
Phyllis Ponte
Bill Povolny
Colin Purcell
Clare Reda
Nicholas Rhind
Richard Roughton
Eric Schlegel
Keith Schrader
George Shaw
Peggy & Tony Shouse
Don Slack
Gordon Smith
George & Cherry Snelling
Allen Steck
Robert & Jennifer Stephenson
Paul Stevenson
Roger Taylor
Ken Wagers
Alison Sheets & Dale Wang
Chris Weidner
David Wilson
SANDSTONE $499-$250
Anonymous (4)
Russell Adams
Joel Ager
Dawn Alguard
Drew Allan
Luis Alvarez
Fred Amrhein
Courtney Andelman
Edmund Andrews
Arizona Mountaineering Club
Michael Smelser & Nancy Baker
Theo Barker
Mark Baum
Chris Beckmann
Thomas & Lena Beehler
John Bentley
Dan Bereck
Neil Berget
Bill Berkley
Dave & Kerstin Berneis
Trevor Berrett
Steve Bishop
Michael & Alison Brody
George Bullard
Jim Butterworth
R. J. Campbell
Benjamin Chang
Nicholas Chope
Faith Clauson
Bret Cloninger
Ross Congo
Preston Corless
Larry Cote
Peter Coward
Christopher Croft
Ryan Crowley
Mena Ahuja & Jonathan Crystal
Mark Daverin
Scott Davis
Don DeCook
Martin Dow
Josh Drexler
Sandy & Gale Dunlap
David Dyess
William Eckhardt
Lars Ensign
John & Rose Evans
Christian Feinauer
Tim & Susi Fickling
John Fine
Bob Fong
Chris Fragakis
James Frank
Pete Frickland
Anders Fridberg
Albert Friss
Dorene Frost
David Gallagher
Samuel Gardner
Marilyn Geninatti
David Gilbert
Jim Gilchrist
Linda Givler
2008
Access Fund Members
Tim & Lisa Gordon
Harold Hall
Frank Harvey
Daisy Deomampo & Michael
Heimbinder
Scott Hemphill
Ana Araujo & Duncan Highsmith
Katie Himel
Andrew Hodge
Peter Horan
Nate Hoyt
William Hunt
David Johnson
Creeden Jones
Chris Jones
Richard Kent
David & Liz Kirschner
Vic Klotz
Paula Knepper
Al Koury
Ann Kuhn
Chris Kurrle
Gregory Lagestee
James Lasseter
Steven Lazny
Michael Lehner
Jeffrey Lemaster
Chad Lembree
Peter Lenz
Jeff Levine
Emile Levisetti
Joshua Littlefield
Steve Lyford
Mike Azin & Michelle Malane
Millissa Krewson & Michael Manni
Brent Manning
Kyle Martin
Thomas & Sarah Matthews
Kent McClelland
Michael McDermott
Gary McElvany
Brad & Ashley McLeod
Drew McRoberts
Ginny Phillips & Paul Meehan
Jeff Mekolites
Dan Melanson
Mike Melanson
Christopher Meyer
Aaron Miles-Jamison
Garreth & Dawn Miller
Garnet Moore
Kevin Morris
Frank Murabito
Rick & Jenni Neahring
Scott Nelson
Peter O’Malia
David Osborn
Todd Paige
Daron Pair
Brenda Parsons
Gary Pate
Forrest Pickett
Andy Reger
Brian Reteneller
Tom Richardson
Alfred Riddle
Wolf Riehle
David Rikert
Greg Rogers
Genie Roosevelt
Franki Schafrik
2008
Memorials
The AF Memorial Fund was
founded in 1998 to honor
individuals who cared about
the mountain environment.
The following memorials
were funded in 2008.
Christopher Allport
Jason Appelstein
Bill Bradshaw
Tom Dunwiddie
James M. Eisenhard
Bob Kamps
James Douglas McQueen
Daryn Smith
Mick Strole
Ryan Triplett
Gene White
14/15
James Schuring
Elizabeth Sholes
Jay & Andrea Shotwell
Lauren Sigman
Amy Simper
James Slanger
Jennifer Sterling
Brian Sullivan
Jun Suzuki
Greg Swift
Jeff Thode
Gary Thomann
Donald Thomas
William Thomas
Chuck & Cecile Toner
Thanh-Van Tran
University of Georgia-GORP
Bruce Valentine
Paul Vidal
Marty Vogel
Brock Wagstaff
Mark Wahl
Paul Asper & Nancy Weidman
Erik Weihenmayer
Shirley Wes
William Whitten Jr
Heidi Hass & Scott Williams
Aaron Wilson
Rick & Pam Winberg
Johanna Wise
Mark Yacoub
Scott Young
Dan Young
David Zabek
Nancy Zahniser
FOUNDATIONS
Blue Ridge Charitable Trust
The Boston Foundation
Cliff Bar Family Foundation
The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation for
the National Capital
Community Foundation of
Greater Chattanooga
Ezulwini Foundation Inc
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Frome Family Foundation
Heimbinder Family Foundation
I Do Foundation
J.F. Maddox Foundation
Jared C. Fox Family Foundation
Jerome Lyle Rappaport
Charitable Foundation
The Lightner Sams Foundation of
Wyoming, Inc
McKee Family foundation
Osilas Foundation
PG & E Corporation Foundation
The Philanthropic Collaborative,
Inc
Preston Family Donor Advised
Fund
Schwab Charitable Fund
The Seattle Foundation
TisBest Philanthropy
Vanguard Charitable Endowment
Program
The Winston-Salem Foundation
W.S. Johnston Foundation
2008
Regional Coordinator Profile: Aaron Gibson
2008
Corporate Partners
TITANIUM - $50,000+
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)
DIAMOND PLUS - $35,000+
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
DIAMOND - $20,000+
Alpinist Magazine
Black Diamond Equipment, LTD
Climbing Magazine
Rock & Ice Magazine
Urban Climber Magazine
PLATINUM PLUS - $15,000+
GORE-TEX® Products
Mountain Gear
Nalgene
Petzl
PLATINUM - $10,000+
CLIF Bar
eGrips/Trago/Stonewear Designs
prAna
The North Face
GOLD PLUS - $7,500+
ASHA Carpets
Boulder Rock Club/
Colorado Mountain School
Outdoor Research
SCARPA North America
Touchstone Climbing, Inc.
About Aaron:
• Access Fund Oklahoma regional coordinator since 2004
• Board member of Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition
• Coach of Oklahoma Climbing Team
• Owner of Oklahoma City Rocktown Climbing Gym
If you couldn’t tell from the stats above, Aaron Gibson is a dedicated climbing activist
and volunteer. His collaboration with the Access Fund over the last five years epitomizes
climbing activism at both the local and national levels. As an Access Fund regional
coordinator, Aaron stays attuned to our national policy work and actively contributes to
climbing management planning and trail projects throughout his home state of Oklahoma.
Most recently, Aaron played a critical role in helping to preserve climbing access at the
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge by contributing feedback to the refuge planning process
and assisting our policy director with lobbying strategy for meetings with the Oklahoma
Congressional Delegation. These combined efforts will, hopefully, preserve the longstanding tradition of rock climbing at this classic Oklahoma area. The Access Fund is proud
to have Aaron on our team and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.
GOLD — $5,000+
Campmor
La Sportiva
Mammut USA
Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Khakis
New England Ropes
Patagonia
The Spot Bouldering Gym
SILVER - $2,500+
All Terrain
Arc’teryx
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
BlueWater Ropes
Falcon Guides
Marmot
Metolius
Misty Mountain Threadworks
Momentum Media PR
MSR®
Therm-a-Rest®
Rock’n Jam’n
Smartwool
Sterling Rope Company
USA Climbing
MAJOR - $1,000+
CAMP USA
Cloudveil
Crazy Creek Products
Evolve Sports
Mad Rock
Moosejaw
Osprey
Outdoor Retailer
RESTOP
SuperTopo.com
Treasure Mountain Inn
Vertical World Inc.
Yates Gear Inc.
CONTRIBUTING - $500+
Advanced Base Camp/Liberty
Mtn
Alpine Ascents International
Avery Brewing Company
Eldorado Wall Company
DMM Excalibur/Wild Country/
Red Chili
Fox Mountain Guides and
Climbing School
GearEXPRESS.com
Haven Housewrights, LLC
Higher Ground Roasters
Julbo
Mountain Tools
Mountaineers Books
Nicros
Omega Pacific
Oskar Blues Brewery
Pacific Edge Climbing Gym
PMI
Real Cheap Sports
Redpoint Nutrition
Redwood Creek
Rock & Snow
Rocks and Ropes of Tucson
Sickle Climbing
Smith Sport Optics
Stone Age Climbing
Tom K. Michael, DDS, PS
Travel Country Outdoors
Untraditional Marketing
Upslope Brewing Company
Vasque
Verde PR & Consulting
Wenger
Wes & Gold
16/17
MEDIA PARTNERS
Andrew Kornylak Photography
Andy Mann Photography
Aurora Photos
Big Up Productions
Corey Rich Photography
Dave Vuono Photography
Eric Draper Photography
Jay Beyer Imaging
Jim Thornburg Photography
John Evans Photography
Keith Ladzinsky Photography
Kevin Steele Photography
Kyler Deutmeyer Photography
MountainProject.com
Randy Levensaler Photography
Rockclimbing.com
Sender Films
Troy Mayr Photography
photo Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
2008
2008
Regional Coordinators
Alabama
Brad McLeod
Alaska
Wayne Fuller
California
Jonathan Meek
Jim Pincter-Lucke
Tom Donnelly
Colorado
Rick Thompson
Steve Johnson
Connecticut
Jeff Sargeant
Georgia
Brad McLeod
Hawaii
John Ryan
Idaho
Brian Fedigan
Illinois
Nathan Holmes
Indiana
Nathan Holmes
Iowa
Evan Fales
Kentucky
Paul Vidal
Nathan Holmes
Maryland
Thomson Ling
Massachusetts
Richard Doucette
Jeff Squire
Minnesota
Kaija Webster
Missouri
Tom Lampe
Montana
Joe Josephson
Steve Porcella
New Hampshire
Robert Parish
New Mexico
Bryan Pletta
New York
Chris Moratz
North Carolina
Sean Barb
Oklahoma
Aaron Gibson
Oregon
Tony Holmes
Pennsylvania
Josh Karns
Bob Value
South Carolina
Sean Cobourn
Tennessee
Brad McLeod
Texas
Ryan Ray
Virginia
Ocean Eiler
Dusty Wissmath
Washington
Jonah Harrison
West Virginia
Gene Kistler
Wyoming
Susan Garlow
Mark Daverin
Community Partners
ACC ROCX
Ace Adventure Center
Action Outfitters
Adams State Adventure Program
Adventure Travel Tours Adventures
Edge
Alaska Rock Gym
Allegheny College Outdoor Program
Alpine Ascents International
Alpine Club of Canada- Toronto
Access Committee
Alpine Endeavors
Alpine Shop, Ltd.
Alpine Training Services
Altai Technologies
AMC - NY Chapter Mountaineering
Committee Antiques & Oddities, Inc.
Appalachian Mountain Guides, Inc
Arizona Climbing and Adventure
School
Arizona Mountaineering Club
Atlanta Rocks
Atlantic Climbing School
Austin Rock Gym
Avery Brewing Company
Avid4 Adventure
Banshee Computing Corp.
Black Dome Mountain Sports
Blue Ridge Mountaineering
Association
Blue Star Camps
Boulder Mountaineering School
Boulders Climbing Gym
Breckenridge Real Estate
California State University @ San
Bernardino Recreational Sports
Camp Birch Trail for Girls, Inc.
Carolina Adventures, University of NC
CASBC Cascade
Crags Indoor Climbing
Cascade Guiding Service
CATS
Climb Aloha
Climb Max
ClimbSWorego.com
CLIMBX
Club Sport
Colgate University Outdoor Education
Program
Colorado Outward Bound
Colvin Center Climbing Gym
Coyote Corner
Cragmont Climbing Club
Cross Country Connection Crux
CU Outdoor Program DC Metro
Climbing
Down Wind Sports
Doylestown Rock Gym
Eagle Rock School
Eagles Nest Foundation
Endy’s
Erehwon Mountain Outfitter
Ethos Mountain Works
Expeditions Unlimited
Explorers Club of Pittsburgh
First Ascent Law PS
Fort Lewis College Climbing Club
Forward Motion
Fox Mountain Guides
Friends of Seneca
Georgia Outdoor Recreation Program
Gone Alpine
Granite Arch Climbing Center
Gravity Vault
Great Outdoor Provision Company
Gunnison Valley Climbing Experience
Hamilton College
Hampshire College Outdoor Program
HERA Ovarian Cancer Climb4Life
Higher Ground Rock Climbing Centre
Homestead Inn & Spa
Hurst Sports Center
Idaho State University
Illinois Climbing Club
Inner Strength Rock Gym
International Wilderness Adventures
Joshua Tree Outfitters
Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School
Kent Mountain Adventure Center Inc.
Kern River Rock, LLC
Kooteni Climbers
Lancaster Climbing Club
Little Rock Climbing Center
Lover’s Leap Guides
Mazamas
Michigan Ice Fest
Midwest Mountaineering
Minnesota Climbers Association
Mizzou Climbing Club
Mountain Goat Outfitters
Mountain Soles
MPHC Climbing Gym
MTU Ridge Roamers
Newenglandbouldering.com
Newport Beach Cosmetic Surgery
Nomad Ventures Nomad Ventures
North Carolina Outward Bound
School
North Wall, Inc
Northlander Climbing
NU Climbing Club
NW Adventures
Old Town Outfitters
Ooh La La Fleur
Outdoor Excursions
Outek
Pacific Edge
Paradise Rock Gym, Inc
Pennsylvania Mountaineering
Association
Peregrine Outfitters
Phoenix Rock Gym
Pipe Works
Poly Escapes
Prairie Walls, Inc
Pruett Publishing Company
Quest Corporate Institute
Reality Climbing
Redpoint Production, Inc.
Rim of the World Climbing Club
Riverat Whitewater Toys
Rock Ice and Mountain Club
ROCK’n & JAM’n
Rockbound
Rocks and Ropes of Tucson
Rocwood
Rok Haus Indoor Climbing Gym
Routesetter.com
San Francisco Plastic Surgery
Sanctuary Rock Gym
Santa Fe Climbing Gym
SCSU Outdoor Endeavors
Sierra Mountain Center
Skagit Alpine Club
18/19
SNEWS
Southern California Mountaineers
Association
Southern Oregon Climbing Club
Southern Sierra Climbers Association
Southforkice.com
Spokane Mountaineers
Sport Rock
Starved Rock Outfitters
Stone Age Climbing Gym, Inc /
NMCRAG Stone Age Gym
Stone Gardens Stonehenge
Summit Rock Gym
Sunrift Adventures
Sylvan Rocks Climbing
Talus Climbing Service
Terra Firma
Texas Tech Outdoor Pursuit Center
The Ascending Path LLC
The Backpackers Shop
The Bag and Pack Shop
The Climbing Place
The Mountaineer
The Mountaineers - Rec Access
Commiteee
The Rock Barn- Rhinoceros Mountain
Guides
The Spot Bouldering Gym
The Warriors Way
Todd Westfall’s Handyman Service
Trailhead Sports
Tribe Be Triple Crown
UCSB- Adventure Programs
Uli, Inc
UMD - Vertical Pursuits
University of Illinois Climbing Club
University of New Hampshire
Climbing Team
University of Pennsylvania Outing
Club
University of Tennessee Outdoor
Recreation
Upper Limits
Uprising RockClimbing Center
Urban Core Climbing Gym
dba Experiential Life, Inc.
USA Climbing
Ute Mountaineer
Verde PR & Consulting
Vero Beach Attorney
Vertex Climbing Center
Vertical Access Vertical Adventures
Vertical Dreams
Vertical Endeavors - St. Paul
Vertical Hold Sport Climbing Center
W-Trek Outfitters
Water Stone Outdoors
West Hills Chiropractic Clinic
Western State College
Whitman College Outing Program
Wild GUYde Adventures
Wilderness Education Program
Wilderness Exchange
Wilderness Exchange Unlimited
WildRays Photography
Wildside Wilkes-Barre Rock Climbing
Gym
Williams Outing Club
Wilson’s Eastside Sports
X-TREME Rock Climbing Center
Yosemite Fitness
Zen Lizard Systems
photo Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
2008
Local Climbing Organizations
Alabama
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Iowa
Eastern Iowa Climbers Coalition
Wichita Mountains Climbers
Coalition
Arizona
Arizona Mountaineering Club
Friends of Queen Creek
Northern Arizona Climbers
Coalition
Prescott Climbers Coalition
Tucson Climbers Association
Kentucky
Friends of Muir Valley
Red River Gorge Climbers
Coalition
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Oregon
AAC - Oregon Section, Access
Committee
Madrone Wall Preservation
Committee
Mazamas
Smith Rock Group
Arkansas
Arkansas Climbers’ Coalition
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Athlete Ambassadors
Conrad Anker
Elaina Arenz-Smith
Tommy Caldwell
David Chancellor
Jonathan Copp
Malcolm Daly
Micah Dash
Topher Donahue
Jim Donini
Megan Emmons
Hans Florine
Charlotte Fox
Caroline George
Nate Gold
David Graham
Emily Harrington
Lynn Hill
Alex Honnold
Jason Kehl
Joe Kinder
Randy Leavitt
Mike Libecki
Chris Lindner
Lee Means
Scott Milton
Timmy O’Neill
Jared Ogden
Renan Ozturk
Alli Rainey
Lisa Rands
Brian Rhodes
Beth Rodden
Matt Segal
Chris Sharma
Kurt Smith
Abbey Smith
Adam Stack
Mark Synnott
Jack Tackle
Pete Takeda
Josh Wharton
Robbie Williams
Heidi Wirtz
Maine
Maine Climbers Alliance
Maryland
Mid-Atlantic Climbers
California
Allied Climbers of San Diego
California Mountaineering Group
Climbing Resource Advocates
for Greater Sacramento
Cragmont Climbing Club
Eastern Sierra Climbers
Coalition
Friends of Joshua Tree
Friends of Pinnacles
Friends of Williamson Rock
Massachusetts
Appalachian Mountain Club –
Boston Chapter
Western Massachusetts
Climbers Coalition
Southern California
Mountaineers’ Association
Southern Sierra Climbers
Association
Yosemite Climbing Association
Missouri
Climbers Alliance of MidMissouri
Kansas City Climbing Club
Canada
Climbers Access Society of
British Columbia
2008
20/21
Colorado
4 Corners Climbing Coalition
Access Colorado
Action Committee for Eldorado
Colorado Springs Climbers
Alliance
Denver Climbers Coalition
Flatirons Climbing Council
Northern Colorado Climbers
Coalition
Roaring Fork Climbers Coalition
Western Colorado Climbers’
Coalition
Connecticut
Ragged Mountain Foundation
Georgia
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Michigan
Grand Ledges Climbers Coalition
Minnesota
Minnesota Climbers Association
Montana
Bitterroot Climbers’ Coalition
Southwest Montana Climbers
Coalition
Nevada
Las Vegas Climbers Liaison
Council
New Hampshire
Rumney Climbers Association
New Mexico
CRAG-New Mexico
New York
Adirondack Mountaineering
Coalition
Gunks Climbers Coalition
North Carolina
Boone Climbers Coalition
Carolina Climbers Coalition
Pisgah Climbers Association
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Idaho
Boise Climbers Alliance
Kootenai Climbers
Ohio
Ohio Climbers Association
Illinois
Chicago Mountaineering Club
Illinois Climbers Association
Oklahoma
Chandler Park Climbers
Coalition
Pennsylvania
Climbing Conservancy of Central
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Carolina Climbers Coalition
Pisgah Climbers Association
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
South Dakota
Black Hills Climbers Coalition
Tennessee
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Texas
Central Texas Mountaineers
Hueco Tanks Climbers Coalition
Concho Valley Climbers
Association
Texas Mountaineers
Utah
Friends of Indian Creek
Moab Area Climbers’ Alliance
Northern Utah Climbers
Coalition
Salt Lake Climbers Alliance
Southern Utah Climbers’
Coalition
Vermont
CRAG-VT
Northeastern Vermont Climber’s
Alliance
Virginia
Friends of Great Falls Coalition
Mid-Atlantic Climbers
Shenandoah National Park
Climbers Alliance
Washington
Washington Climbers Coalition
West Virginia
Coopers Rock Regional Climbing
Coalition
New River Alliance of Climbers
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
photo Matt Stark
2008
Access Fund Board of Directors and Staff
22/23
Access Fund Board of Directors
Access Fund Headquarters
Officers
President • King Grant, CT
Vice President • Paul Fish, WA
Treasurer • Kyle Lefkoff, CO
Secretary • Heather Furman, VT
Staff
Amy Ansari • Grassroots Coordinator
303.545.6772 x105
amy@accessfund.org
Board Members
Corey Rich, CA
Dan Flanagan, CA
Beaver Theodosakis, CA
Dirk Tyler, CO
Beth Rodden, CO
Steve Johnson, CO
Brad McLeod, GA
Dave Wilson, GA
Mark Crowther, NY
Jamie McNally, TX
Richard S. Luskin, UT
John Evans, UT
Nancy Feagin, UT
Alexander Friedman, WA
Honorary Board Members
Michael Kennedy, CO
John Juraschek, NC
Dave Rosenstein, NJ
Larry Gustafson, TX
Bill Supple, VT
Armando Menocal, WY
Courtney Bartels • Membership Manager
303.545.6772 x106
courtney@accessfund.org
Ellen Jardine • Business &
Finance Manager
303.545.6772 x107
ellen@accessfund.org
Jason Keith • Policy Director
303.545.6772 x102
jason@accessfund.org
Brady Robinson • Executive Director
303.545.6772 x101
brady@accessfund.org
Joe Sambataro • Access Director
303.545.6772 x112
joe@accessfund.org
Jason Smith • Development Director
303.545.6772 x113
smith@accessfund.org
Holly Stewart • Communications &
Marketing Director
303.545.6772 x100
holly@accessfund.org
Judy Ware • Office Associate
303.545.6772 x104
judy@accessfund.org
General Councel
Chris Archer
The
Access
Fund
PO Box 17010 Boulder, CO 80308
1.888.8MEMBER | www.accessfund.org
2008
special
thanks to
photographers
ANNUAL REPORT
Keith Ladzinski
Matt Stark
Eric Whalen
Corey Rich/Aurora Photos