After 2+ years of negotiations, the Access Fund has successfully negotiated a license that will keep climbing open for most of Oak Flat and Queen Creek, AZ.

The license ensures continued public access to The Pond and Atlantis sport climbing areas—Resolution Copper Company (RCC) private property—and to most of the bouldering found at Oak Flat (public land that will be transferred to RCC in the SE Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2006 which still awaits Congressional approval).

Oak Flat is a federally protected national recreation area set aside in 1955. RCC discovered a copper deposit under the popular bouldering area and proposed the land exchange bill. The Access Fund strongly opposed the land exchange as it was initially drafted and negotiated an outcome that provided continued access to much of Oak Flat and Queen Creek. With the help of climbers across the country, decision makers heard climbers’ voices and while the land exchange moves forward, climbers’ interests are being addressed.

Access Fund Policy Director Jason Keith explains, “preserving Oak Flat access was a long and complicated process that we engaged in due to the threat of completely losing Oak Flat. All climbing areas are unique and they can’t be replaced by simply bolting new crags elsewhere.”

What Climbers Have Won

The Access Fund’s efforts, along with the Friends of Queen Creek (FoQC) www.friendsofqueencreek.com, have created a cooperative relationship with RCC to allow continued access to Oak Flat for a period of 5 years (or longer subject to RCC’s exploration and mining development in the area) after the land exchange takes effect. This recreational use license also provides continued public access to The Pond and Atlantis – two popular crags on RCC property in Queen Creek Canyon that could have been closed at any time by the mining company. This process of negotiation also resulted in RCC providing climbers a “replacement area” at Tam O’Shanter Peak (Tamo). Tamo will become a state park that specifically accommodates climbers when the land exchange becomes law.

What Climbers Have Lost

Due to their close proximity to RCC’s existing mining operations, two climbing areas on RCC private property—Eurodog Valley and The Mine Area—will be closed to public access once the SE Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2006 becomes law. Further, RCC may begin some limited test drilling on small parcels of 3,025 acre Oak Flat which may affect access periodically and temporarily.

What Climbers Would Have Lhave Lost

If the Access Fund and FoQC had not stepped in and aggressively defended climber interests, climbers could have lost all access to Oak Flat and had no assurance of continued access to Atlantis and The Pond.

While not all climbing access was maintained, a clear message has been sent challenging the precedent that federally protected public lands can be sold as soon as something of value is discovered, thus pushing out the user groups of those lands. This is a victory for the Access Fund and the climbing community’s long-term vision of protecting climbing resources for future generations.

“This victory sends a strong message that we, the owners of public lands, are not going to accept losing our land because of a short-term money-making objective,” says Steve Matous, the Access Fund’s Executive Director. “The long-term benefits of protecting our public lands, and in this case a public recreation area, far outweigh short term uses that change the landscape forever.”

Despite a sometimes adversarial campaign to Save Oak Flat, the Access Fund created a “winning political and negotiating strategy by involving local Arizona climbers, holding firm to our mission, and using every advocacy tool available to us,” says Keith. Efforts included organizing a local climbing advocacy organization (FoQC), lobbying at the federal, state and local levels, working with the outdoor industry, supporting local outreach efforts, and consulting with mining and public lands experts.

Curt Shannon of FoQC explains, “Oak Flat is an important place for many climbers and other people to experience the magic of the desert. Maintaining access to this area is important on so many levels. As a climbing community, we can’t just throw up our hands and walk away to find a new place to climb when closure is threatened. The Access Fund and the Friends of Queen Creek were the only united front in trying to keep Oak Flat open and while it’s not a perfect arrangement, it’s far better than losing Oak Flat altogether.”

UPDATE: Adopt-a-Crag Challenge 2006

As of June 14^th we have climbed 47 of the 120 pitches on El Cap, completing the West Buttress and Lurking Fear on the Captain’s dramatic left side, and finding ourselves 8 pitches up the Muir Wall.

Together we will attempt to at least match Access Fund Ambassador and Board member Tommy Caldwell’s accomplishments by repeating all 4 of his first free ascents on El Cap with each pitch representing an Adopt-a-Crag event. If we succeed this far, we will work to establish our own first free ascent on El Cap via the 23 pitch Magic Mushroom and set the new standard of success. The tick list is as follows, with a grand total of 120 pitches. Let’s get it done!

1)West Buttress – VI 5.13c, 20 pitches

2)Lurking Fear – VI 5.13c, 19 pitches

3)Muir Wall – VI 5.13c, 33 pitches

4)Dihedral Wall – VI 5.14a, 25 pitches

5)Magic Mushroom – VI 5.14?, 23 pitches

Sitting 8 pitches up the Muir Wall, at the belay where Magic Mushroom splits off, peering up our future project wide-eyed. Diverting our attention back to the route at hand, we chomp a Clif Bar, analyze the 100’ of 13a laybacking and underclings to come, and try to shake the pump from the previous three pitches of heady 5.12 climbing.

Help us stay motivated and repeat this route. Register your Adopt-a-Crag event now. Trash clean-up? Trail maintenance? Hardware replacement or climber signage? Invite the local community out to celebrate their crag!

To register an event or find one in your area visit http://www.accessfund.org/cons/aacreg.php

For more information contact Kristo Torgersen:

303.545.6772 x105, kristo@accessfund.org or logon to http://www.accessfund.org/adopt/

AREA UPDATES

Access Fund to Rally Climbers at a Series of Idaho Meetings

A few months ago we told you about the NPS climbing management plan at the City of Rocks in Idaho that ignores the Twin Sisters climbing ban despite the agency’s guarantee that the NPS would analyze whether the ban was still warranted and that climbers would be provided an opportunity comment on the plan including the Twin Sisters issue. For more background, see www.nps.gov/applications/parks/ciro/ppdocuments/ACF2188.pdf and www.accessfund.org/pdf/AFciro.pdf.

Members of the Access Fund, American Alpine Club and the Boise Climbers Alliance met recently to discuss with Idaho Congressional delegates the closure of the Twin Sisters at the City of Rocks. The National Park Service decided recently to continue the ban on climbing at the Twin Sisters. Climbers met with the congressional delegates in hopes of having state officials discuss with those at the national level about considering a compromise on the climbing ban.

In order to provide information about the ongoing climbing management planning process and organize Idaho climbers on the Twin Sisters issue, the Access Fund is holding a series of climber meetings across Idaho in late June. The plan calls for climber meetings on:

Monday June 26 in Pocatello (location to be determined, stay tuned to (www.seiclimbing.com)
Tuesday June 27 in Ketchum at the Elephant’s Perch (www.elephantsperch.com)
Wednesday June 28 in Boise (check out hwww.boiseclimbers.org for meeting time and location)

For more information on times and meeting locations, contact Access Fund Policy Director Jason Keith: jason@accessfund.org, 435-259-0693.

The New River Gorge, WV

Housing Developments, Peregrines, and Management

Plans

Housing Developments

Conservation Groups Appeal NRG Housing Development Approval

A coalition of conservation groups recently filed a legal appeal of Fayette County’s decision to approve the first phase of Land Resources Corporation’s (LRC) “Roaring River” housing development, proposed along approximately 9 miles next to the New River Gorge National River. While county and LRC officials stated in public meetings and in writing that “this development will not impair the scenic views of the New River Gorge,” a technical analysis by the National Park Service (NPS) revealed that 76 out of 484 houses in the developments’ first phase will be visible from popular scenic overlooks such as Beauty Mountain as well as many popular climbing locations within the gorge. The New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC) backs the effort to bring reasonable balance to the developments at the New River Gorge.

“Economic development and the conservation of the New River Gorge are compatible,” said NRAC member Gene Kistler, who also serves on board of the Plateau Action Network, a Fayette County-based citizens group dedicated to responsible environmental management and economic development. “However, we need sensitive development that does not harm an existing economic engine like the New River Gorge National River.” Stay-tuned to NRAC (www.newriverclimbing.net), the National Parks Conservation Association (www.npca.org/media_center/press_releases/2006/page.jsp?itemID=27729159) and the National Committee for the New River (www.ncnr.org/alert_new_river_gorge_lrc.html) for updates on this issue.

Peregrine Falcons at the Endless Wall

An important part of the New River Gorge’s 2005 climbing management plan that limited climbing restrictions was the voluntary climbing closure along the Endless Wall to protect potential peregrine habitat. This past spring the National Park Service (NPS) again monitored for peregrine falcons at the Endless Wall, and asked the public to assist them by using other sites within New River Gorge for climbing, hiking and other outdoor uses. Because of the peregrines’ sensitivity to human activities when seeking suitable nesting sites, NPS asked the public to limit their use of the area between the Fern Point Ladder through the end of Beauty Mountain for a period of ten weeks in late winter/early spring (mid-February through April). New River Gorge Superintendent Cal Hite reported that compliance with this voluntary request was high among climbers.

Recently volunteer climbers also helped the park expand the falcon survey and monitoring program at Endless Wall, and helped install a hacking box that is now occupied by the seven young peregrines. This box will simulate a nesting and feeding site on a steep cliff and protect the young birds from predators. NRAC volunteers assisted with the hack box site selection and also helped construct the box on the rim of the gorge. For more details, see http://www.nps.gov/neri/pphtml/newsdetail23591.html.

New River Gorge General Management Plan

The National Park Service continues its revision of the long-range General Management Plan (GMP) for the New River Gorge National River. The GMP is the foundation for decision-making in the park and its purpose is to ensure that the park has a clearly defined direction for resource conservation and visitor use. According to many local and visiting climbers, there is a shortage of camping possibilities around the NRG. This General Management Plan is the time for climbers to urge the NPS to develop a new campground that facilitates access to the gorge and surrounding areas. To learn more about the NRG’s planning process and how to get involved, see www.parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=11040 and http://www.newriverclimbing.net.

Red Rocks, NV Wilderness Management Plan

The BLM in Las Vegas is preparing to draft a Wilderness Management Plan for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area that will govern much of Red Rocks and the neighboring Mt. Charleston located on US Forest Service land. This plan will cover a wide range of issues, including climbing management provisions that control the placement of new fixed anchors. Currently at Red Rocks there is a complete bolting ban in the Wilderness Areas (more or less all the canyons - the Calico Hills on the Loop road are not Wilderness for the most part). This plan will also affect climber trails and impacts to natural and cultural resources, among other issues.

The BLM recently completed some “open houses” to provide some basic information to the public and will soon announce the schedule for its “scoping” process when the BLM will solicit public feedback as to what the scope of the wilderness plan should be. Following scoping, the BLM will devise planning alternatives and again go out for public comment. The Access Fund and Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council (LVCLC) have been organizing climbers to make sure their voice is heard. For more information and to get involved locally check out the LVCLC website (www.lvclc.org). Contact the BLM (www.nv.blm.gov/redrockcanyon) for the planning and public comment schedule: James Sippel, 702-515-5131 (lvwilderness@nv.blm.gov).

Your voice can help shape how climbing is managed at Red Rocks.

Update on Great Falls Park, Virginia

Simon Carr

Last year the Friends of Great Falls (FoGF), an organization representing local climbers, mobilized VA, MD, and DC climbers to comment on the draft General Management Plan (GMP) for Great Falls Park, the climbing area that is only six miles from the White House. The comment period closed on December 15, 2005 generating approximately 180 comments, the majority from local climbers. Almost universally the submissions from climbers were opposed to the National Park Service proposals.

The NPS is currently preparing a revised GMP which is expected to be completed later this summer, although this is not certain. The NPS is also commissioning a study to investigate plant resources on both sides of the Mather Gorge, a direct consequence of the many comments from the public that pointed out the lack of scientific data provided in the draft GMP. A press release describing the proposed study will be available soon from the NPS.

In the meantime, Friends of Great Falls continues to work actively to safeguard climbing opportunities at Great Falls. In particular, Friends of Great Falls has requested under the Freedom of Information Act various documents that describe the scientific justification behind the NPS proposals. Details are available at www.friendsofgreatfalls.com

Access to Bozeman Pass Restored

Tom Kalakay, Southeastern Montana Climbers Coalition

Thanks to SMCC and an agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Bozeman Pass (closed May 3, 2006) has been reopened to climbing. Please be aware of the new access that requires walking in from the Trail Creek exit. Several enthusiastic SMCC volunteers have already constructed a trail to the old access point. Please use it.

For more detailed information, visit a Bozeman-area climbing shop or download the flyer listed below. Climbers wishing to access Frog Rock on the south side of the highway are asked to park at the Trail Creek exit.

http://www.rocky.edu/~kalakayt/passaccess.jpg

Southeastern Montana Climbers Coalition Updates

Tom Kalakay, Southeastern Montana Climbers Coalition

The SMCC membership meeting and BBQ on May 20th was a great success.

This year we combined the meeting with the 5th annual Baldy Blitz running race and fundraiser. Many thanks to all those who volunteered. At the meeting we raised over $500 in new and renewed memberships! In addition to this success, www.montanaclimbers.org is undergoing serious reconstruction. Please check the site daily for updates on local access issues.

Then on June 3^rd, the SMCC sponsored Trail Day at Practice Rock in Hyalite Canyon was a smashing success. This was a very important activity not only for maintaining access to this major climbing area, but also for keeping good relations with the local Forest Service. Over 45 people participated. The entire trail system was reconstructed and new belay platforms were established at the bases of many climbs.

The first SMCC newsletter looks great and is now available at local climbing shops. Becky Edwards and Kristen Drumheller used their professional expertise and hard work to make the newsletter a great success. Active members should have received a copy in the mail. You can download the newsletter in pdf format at the link below.

http://www.rocky.edu/~kalakayt/newsletter.pdf

The SMCC is looking for volunteers and donations. If individuals have suggestions for access-oriented activities or just want to get more involved please contact us: www.montanaclimbers.org/contacts.html

New Jersey Climbers Take Action to Open Hunterdon County to Climbing

John Anderson, Access Fund Regional Coordinator

AccessNJ is urging all New Jersey climbers to send an e-mail or fax to the consulting firm Management Learning Laboratories and urge them to include and examine bouldering in their report on recreational opportunities in Hunterdon County. The firm has been hired by Hunterdon County to perform a study of recreational opportunities and priorities in the Hunterdon County, NJ, park system.

http://www.m-l-l.com/

Fax Number is: 336-765-0794

Online: http://www.m-l-l.com/contact.html

Management Learning Laboratories and Hunterdon County have solicited user input, but have excluded climbing from the list of potential recreational uses of county lands. AccessNJ is urging all climbers to contact Management Learning Laboratories to add climbing as an addendum to the report.

The draft report on recreation in Hunterdon County can be found at:
http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/survey2005.htm

New Jersey Rock Climbing featured in the Appalachian Mountain Club Outdoors

Standing at the base of a 150-foot cliff fronted by a field of car-sized boulders, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this area just doesn’t seem like New Jersey. Even though I’m only a few miles from the interstate, there aren’t any smoke stacks and the landscape is decidedly more interesting than the smelly, sprawling flatland that we’ve all seen from the Turnpike.

“Yeah, so this is Jersey,” says my guide for the day, John Anderson, motioning to the wall in front of us and the rolling hills off in the distance. As the Access Fund’s regional coordinator for the state and director of Access New Jersey, the local rock climbing advocacy group, Anderson has worked to ensure access to areas like this. And he relishes the opportunity to share the state’s climbing bounty with curious outsiders, reporters, legislators, and anyone else interested in preserving access in the Highlands.

“The inside corner right here has a nice hand crack on it,” he says, pointing out a route to the top of the slab above us. “Go up that, get on top of the pillar, head straight up to the overhang traverse, and go up the left side of it up to the top. That’s just beautiful, classic.”

Williamson Rock, California Update

Troy Mayr, Friends of Williamson Rock

On June 5^th, Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) went to Williamson Rock (WR) with the Forest Service. During the trip the 'short trail' was mapped via GPS in order to depict the existing trail on the proposal currently being prepared for submission to the Forest Service by FoWR. Although the extent of this project has not been established, some measures suggested by the Forest Service include, trail management, toilet installation and periodic monitoring of WR.

It should be stressed that no promises have been made by either party and on-going consultation is required over the course of the summer in order to determine the extent of measures that FoWR will adopt.

Any actions carried out by the climbing community that undermines this effort is detrimental to the efforts of FoWR and only decreases our chances of ever climbing at WR again. We were disappointed to see that Forest Service posted signs had been vandalized and that climbers had obviously visited WR recently, as evidenced by trail use and construction of cairns and water crossings. Our Forest Service liaison, whom has been incredibly gracious and helpful (and also climbs), was obviously annoyed by this and made it known that the next step is implementation of more intensive monitoring and issuing of fines and or penalties to anyone who violates the closure.

We stress that WR is closed and any efforts intended to undermine the closure not only wear on the nerves of the Forest Service, but also those members of FoWR who have invested a lot of time in facilitating the re-opening of WR. For those who have resisted the urge to climb we thank you. Please be patient and know that WR will definitely be closed for the duration of this year.

For more information and to join FoWR please visit: http://williamsonrock.org/

Torrent Falls, KY Remains Open

Bill Strachan, Executive Director Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition

In mid-March 2006, Mark Meyer, the owner of Torrent Falls, Red River Gorge, Kentucky, made known his displeasure with the way some climbers were behaving when climbing at this wonderful crag. After a meeting between the owner and the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, a set of specific rules and a deadline of May 1, 2006 for compliance with these rules were agreed to.

The Red River Gorge climbing community at-large responded with a monumental effort in getting the word out and abiding by the rules. Just before the deadline, Mr. Meyer let climbers know, “I am happy to announce Torrent Falls Sport Climbing will remain open. There has been a total turn around in the area of respect.” During the grace period before the deadline Mr. Meyer decided to add a no dog rule saying, “I believe the No Dog policy was the single biggest and best decision.” Mr. Meyer has also placed a portable toilet by the parking area for climbers.

When visiting Red River Gorge, make sure you know and follow the rules of the crag whether on private or public land. If you climb at Torrent, please make sure to stop by the informational kiosk, put something in the donation container, and give a big personal thanks to Mark and Kathy Meyer for their hospitality to climbers!

Smith Rock, UT Spring Thing 2006 Success

Tony Holmes, Access Fund Regional Coordinator Oregon

About 200 volunteers showed up on May 6th for Smith Rock State Park's 14th annual Spring Thing organized by the Smith Rock Group.

This year we had 40 volunteers focusing on pulling Diffuse Knapweed. A new partnership with the BLM repaired the trail to Koala Rock and the other dispersed trails in the area were rehabilitated and blocked off.

Dry stacked rock retaining walls were constructed using basalt rock at a couple of popular climbing areas to prevent erosion. 34 truck loads of rock were hauled prior to the event. The Smith Rock Group volunteered many evenings after work for the rock moving project. Every rock had to be picked up 6-10 times to load into a truck, then an ATV trailer, the power wheel barrow and then carried a short distance to the rock wall sites.

In the evening the Smith Rock Group held the volunteer appreciation dinner, slide show and auction which raised nearly $3,000. The proceeds are used to pay for supplies and materials for the volunteer work projects.

Thank you to all of the volunteers that made the Spring Thing a huge success this year!

Smugglers Notch, VT Bouldering Town Meeting Summary

Ross Perry, CRAG-VT Vice President

On April 22, 2006, CRAG-VT hosted the Smugglers Notch Bouldering Town Meeting at Petra Cliffs Climbing Center in Burlington, Vermont. The focus of the meeting was to discuss a variety of topics among individuals familiar with the Smugglers Notch area. The event was planned after receiving numerous comments and concerns about impacts to the Smugglers Notch area.

The agenda included the following issues: the responsible and effective stewardship of the area; the high levels of use and accompanying environmental impacts; the concerns about the unique and fragile (some threatened) flora and fauna; brainstorming about how to solve problems and identify areas where efforts can best be applied; and help ensure that Smuggs will remain open to bouldering and climbing in the future.

Many attendees offered their perspective of the area as well as suggestions for what could be done to better protect the area. The following conclusions were reached: the area of concern where the main impacts have increased is within the upper portion of the Notch from the stone hut/parking lot area to just over the Notch to the south; the majority of impact to the area was thought to be tourism-based (i.e. car-based gazers who walk within a few hundred feet of their vehicle); chalk use is not much of an issue; there is no need for trail work at this time; and CRAG-VT should continue an open dialogue with the VT Agency of Natural Resources.

Twenty-eight people were in attendance at the height of the meeting, and while most were boulderers and rock/ice climbers, some were not. There were plenty of opinions expressed, and CRAG-VT is thankful for those who came and let their voices be heard.

EVENTS

Events Calendar

06/24—06/25 Ponderosa Lodge, Bakersfield, CA. Needles Southern Sierra Slideshow

www.southernsierra.org/sscahome.html

06/30—06/30 Denver Botanic Gardens, Gates Hall, Denver, CO.

Jim Collins- long-time Access Fund member, business management scholar, best-selling author, and avid rock climber will share Leadership Lessons of a Rock Climber a special presentation prepared exclusively for this event.

www.accessfund.org/JimCollins

07/05—07/09 Lander, WY. International Climbers Festival

www.climbersfestival.org/ Discounted Access Fund membership with the purchase of a festival ticket. More info at climbersfestival.org, Emily Robins, climbersfestival@wyoming.com

Adopt-a-Crag Calendar

Register Your Adopt-a-Crag Now!

06/18 Callahans, Roseburg, OR. Clean-up and Trail Day at the Callahans hosted by climbSWoregon.com and the Outdoor Programs of UOregon and Umpqua CC. 8:30am at Upper Gate, rain-or-shine, clean-up/trailwork in morning, climbing in afternoon. Suzanne Hanlon, shanlon@darkwing.uoregon.edu, Phillip Pennington, philsnatch@hotmail.com

06/21 Flagstaff Mt. and Mt. Sanitas, Boulder, CO. The Total Climbing Camp Adopt-a-Crag hosted by The Boulder Rock Club and Total Climbing. This event is the 1st of 7 stewardship projects as part of a youth climbing camp. closed to outside volunteers. Other dates are: 6/28, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, Yelena Brachman, ybrachman@totalclimbing.com

06/25 Robert L. Stevenson SP, Calistoga, CA. The Mt. St. Helena Litter Clean-Up hosted by the Rock, Ice and Mountain Club and Vertex Climbing Center. Event starts at 10:30am., Alex Sebastian, rfalex@sonoma-county.org

07/06 Sinks Canyon Shady Side Crag, WY. The International Climbers' Festival Trail Day hosted by the International Climbers' Festival. Lunch provided, shady work area, afternoon climbing. Discounted Access Fund membership with the purchase of a festival ticket. More info at climbersfestival.org, Emily Robins, climbersfestival@wyoming.com

07/15 Ruth Lake - Uintas, UT. Uintas-Ruth Lake Crag Trail and Terrace Building

MEMBER BENEFITS

Get member only discounts on all the new stuff in the Access Fund MemberSHOP! http://www.accessfund.org/membershop

New Limited Edition AF Hoodies!

Thanks to prAna, these Limited Edition Hoodies are a smokin' deal! This is the only place you can purchase these hoodies and every penny goes to keeping your climbing areas open (not to mention the added benefit that you'll look good at the crag). Super-sweet 100% cotton lightweight fleece with contrast stitching. Full zip. Artwork by prAna. Quantities limited- get em before they're gone! S-XL $42 non members/$38 member price.

New Men's T-shirts

100% Organic Cotton prAna T-shirts. Those old T-shirts you've been wearing have more perforations than Swiss Cheese at City of Rocks. By purchasing our T, you can rebel against corporate dress codes and battle for climbers' rights at the same time. Artwork by Mike Tea. Sizes S, M, L, XL. Color: Black, Olive, Curry, Sand, Brown. $20 non members/$18 member price

New Women's T-shirts

100% Organic Cotton prAna T-shirts. Designed for a comfortable fit and ideal for steep sport climbs, bold runouts or just hanging out. Artwork by Mike Tea. Sizes S, M, L. Color: Black, Brown. $20 non members/$18 member price.

Outdoor Research Windshirt

Uber-ultralight, ripstop nylon shell with a breathable, wind and water-resistant polyurethane coating keeps epic conditions at bay. 3/4-length zipper allows easy on and off without adding unnecessary bulk. Stuffs into its own zippered pocket. Drawcord hem adjustment and elastic cuffs snug things down when the wind makes you rethink the crux moves. Ropegun pictured not included. 3.5oz./100g. Sizes M and XL Only (quantities limited). Color: Phyllite. Retail $89! $32 non members / $27 member price.

AF Extras

Cruise to the AF website and play ASANA PackWorks' video game Gunther's Big Day www.accessfund.com/extras/game.php Click through to ASANA's site to purchase the full version. $10 from each purchase made through this link will be donated to the AF. Go Gunther! Thanks ASANA!

View Access Fund Ambassador Chris Sharma sending a first ascent in the boulderProject promo spot www.accessfund.org/extras/promo.php

Vertical Times 70: The Annual Report Issue is Now Online!

Please check out the Annual Report Issue at http://www.accessfund.org/pubs/vt/VT70.pdf (1.4Mb)

Combined Federal Campaign

Are you a federal employee? Did you know you can donate to The Access Fund through the federal government's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)?

Federal employees, including federal civilians, military personnel, and U.S. Postal Service workers, can now donate to AF through the federal government's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC is a charitable fundraising program where you give to the Access Fund through automatic payroll deductions.

If you are a federal employee, please look for the Access Fund (agency # 2361) in the official CFC listing of eligible donors. You can also make your contribution on-line by going to: www.conservenow.org, click on Search for a Charity, type in Access Fund and make your contribution there.

If you have additional questions on these programs please contact Whitney Self at: whitney@accessfund.org.