Package includes an Access Fund Membership, Access Fund T-shirt, The North Face Access Fund Beanie, Gregory Chalkbag, Sterling Ropes Cordelette, Marmot TeaZer Mug, Higher Ground Coffee Access Fund Blend, and Seasonal Clif Bars.

Quantities limited! Order by December 16 for delivery by December 24.

Order online at www.accessfund.org/holiday or call 888.8Member x104

$10 shipping and handling applies to all domestic orders. Access Fund reserves the right to substitute similar products of equal or greater value, while supplies last. Colorado residents will be charged sales tax

NATIONAL NEWS

Access Fund Sharp End Awards Announced

Each year the Access Fund recognizes individuals and businesses that volunteer their efforts and shine above the rest in their commitment and work on behalf of the American climbing community for keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment. This year’s awards and recipients are:

SHARP END AWARD: For leadership and activism in preserving climbing access and the climbing environment

Jeff Squire and Rob Sullivan of the Western Mass Climbers Coalition for the Farley’s Ledge Acquisition which is hailed as the best crag between the Gunks and Rumney. Farley’s Ledge had ongoing access issues, primarily due to parking shortages. The purchase of the Erving, MA parcel will prevent land development and provide public access to the crag. Jeff, Rob, and the Western Mass Climbers Coalition have worked closely with neighbors and local officials to assure the relationship remains positive and lasting for the New England Climbing community. Fundraising was helped with grants from the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Access Fund.

Troy Mayr and the Friends of Williamson Rock for working tirelessly to reopen Williamson Rock in Southern California’s Angeles National Forest to climbing. Troy and the Friends of Williamson Rock (FoWR) have made incredible progress in the face of considerable odds. While climbing access is currently closed due to a disputed designation of a critical habitat, major strides have been made between FoWR and the U.S. Forest Service, creating an open dialog as well as finding guidelines to come to a solution to reopen Williamson Rock to climbing as soon as possible.

REESE MARTIN MEMORIAL AWARD REGIONAL COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR: For leadership and activism in preserving climbing access and the climbing environment, and specifically for their volunteer work as an Access Fund representative

Joe Josephson of the Southwestern Montana Climbers’ Coalition has been essential in the Montana climbing community’s efforts to assure access across the state. Recently and notably, Joe brought together the Forest Service, local and federal officials, the media, and other user groups to successfully fight a proposed gating of access roads to Hyalite Canyon’s vast ice climbing resources. Joe has also been working closely with the Bitterroot Climbers Coalition to save one of the best cliffs in Montana, Lost Horse Canyon, from being quarried. He is currently working closely with the Access Fund and the Outdoor Alliance to lobby Congress for reform of the 1872 Mining Law.

2007 Adopt-a-Crag Wrap-up and Awards

Presented by REI, GORE-TEX Products, and CLIF Bar

The Access Fund would like to thank everyone who participated in an Adopt-a-Crag event in 2007 and to congratulate the event organizers who made the 8th Annual Adopt-a-Crag the biggest year ever!

Adopt-a-Crag is the largest, communal climber volunteer effort each year. Adopt-a-Crag events show landmanagers that climbers take care of the places they play while celebrating their crags through stewardship efforts that maintain the climbing environment and strengthen the reputation of the climbing community.

This year the majority of events occurred during the traditional months of September and October, which have become the Adopt-a-Crag Celebration Season. Adopt-a-Crag 2007 exceeded expectations with 7,000 volunteers logging over 32,200 volunteer hours at 129 events in 35 states, Puerto Rico, and British Columbia. This amazing effort from the climbing community equates to over $604,000* worth of volunteer time devoted to conserving our climbing areas.

*In 2006, the Independent Sector www.independetsector.org cited $18.77 per hour as the monetary value of volunteer time.

Each year awards are given to Adopt-a-crag events and organizers that went above and beyond. This year’s Adopt-a-Crag Awards are presented to:

THE ADOPT-A-CRAG OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Access Fund and REI are proud to present the Adopt-a-Crag of the Year Award to: Adam Reyes, REI Northridge/Arcadia and the Stoney Point Clean-Up. On October 20, local REI employees (REI Northridge and REI Arcadia) teamed up with the Los Angles Parks and Recreation Department to host the annual Stoney Point Clean-Up in Chatsworth, CA. With 189 volunteers contributing over 570 volunteer hours, the local climbing community cleaned up this historic bouldering area. Special thanks goes to the LA Parks and Recreation Department for opening the gates and providing a garbage truck for the event. Other groups involved in this great event were Trader Joe’s, REM Eyewear, and the local Boy Scouts.

THE ADOPT-A-CRAG STEWARDSHIP AWARD

The Access Fund and GORE-TEX® Products are proud to present the Adopt-a-Crag Stewardship Award to Amy Carden for the “Dude Where’s My Stash!” Adopt-a-Crag events at Mt. Evans, CO and Chaos Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. Amy Carden, a concerned climber from Westminster, CO and manager of AF Corporate Partner ROCK’n & JAM’n climbing gym, took the lead in creating a dialogue with park rangers and organized two Adopt-a-Crags to mitigate climber impacts in two alpine bouldering areas. The “Dude Where’s My Stash” events made a lasting and positive impression on rangers at Rocky Mountain National Park and Mt. Evans. Amy deserves a big “thank you” from the climbing community for protecting the resources we love.

THE ADOPT-A-CRAG CONSERVATION AWARD

The Access Fund and CLIF Bar are proud to present the Adopt-a-Crag Conservation Award to the Minnesota Climbers Association. Rock climbing and environmental stewardship thrives in the Midwest. This year’s stewardship award goes to the members of the Minnesota Climbers Association (MCA), including Glenn Burns and Kaija Webster (AF Regional Coordinator-MN). The MCA organized six Adopt-a-Crag events in a five-month period in both Minnesota and Wisconsin at Ely’s Peak, Taylor Falls, Barn Bluff, the North Shore, and Willow River. Average turnout was 30 participants contributing 110 total volunteer hours at each event. Projects included anchor replacements, trail maintenance, trash cleanup, and tree planting.

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN AWARD

The Access Fund “In a League of Their Own Award” (NEW for 2007) is presented to the 4^th Annual Yosemite Facelift, hosted by the Yosemite Climbing Association and organized by Ken Yager. Last year’s Yosemite Facelift broke all-time Adopt-a-Crag records with over 1,100 volunteers and 9,200 volunteer hours. For that, Ken Yager and the YCA received the Adopt-a-Crag of the Year Award.

This year the Yosemite Facelift had OVER 2,900 volunteers and 18,300 volunteer hours! As a result, the Yosemite Facelift has been removed from the normal Adopt-a-Crag Awards. Until someone gives Ken a run for his money, we have placed the Yosemite Facelift in a league of its own.

Adopt-a-Crag provides a national “voice” and resources to the many local stewardship events organized within the climbing community each year and would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors.

AREA UPDATES

Red River Gorge, KY – LAC Process Nears Completion

By Bill Strachan, Executive Director Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition

The Limits of Acceptable Change process for Red River Gorge is nearing an end. After two more LAC Workshops scheduled for January 2008, the recommended alternative is expected to be given to Daniel Boone Forest Supervisor, Jerome Perez for a final decision. The alternative that the LAC group strongly supports is Alternative 2, Balance Recreation and Protection of Resources. The end of the LAC process brings climbers hope that the development of new sport routes in the Gorge will be allowed to resume. A moratorium on new sport route development has been in place for almost five years. The moratorium was initiated during the revision of the Forest Plan for the entire forest and was extended through the three year LAC process.

Another ongoing Forest Service process of interest to climbers is the development of a Heritage Resource Management Plan for Red River Gorge. LAC participants were updated on the status of this process by Forest Archaeologist, Chris Jenkins during the most recent workshop held on December 6, 2007. Mr. Jenkins explained that he is currently working on digesting an 800-page report documenting heritage resources in the Gorge. He said that he needs a couple more months working on the report before he can write the management plan. He thinks that after he is through digesting the report, he can write the Heritage Resource Management Plan in about six weeks. Throughout these Forest Service processes the RRGCC has periodically consulted with the Access Fund’s Policy Director, Jason Keith.

AF NEWS

New Faces at the Access Fund

Development Director – Jason Smith is our new Development Director. Jason formerly worked for Lake Forest Academy in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL, where he managed and developed the alumni annual giving program, cultivated prospects for annual and major gifts, and organized donor prospect events nationwide. Just as much a threat on the golf course as in the boulder field, he has a great combination of skills, experience and drive to bring our fundraising efforts to the next level.

Jason now oversees our annual fund as well as our foundations/grants program. He can be reached at 303.545.6772 x113 or smith@accessfund.org.

Membership Manager – Courtney Bartels, our new Membership Manager, was the general manager/marketing director at Upper Limits Climbing Gym in Bloomington, IL where she conducted a number of Access Fund fundraisers over the past few years.

Courtney now oversees the membership process and we’re sure you’ll notice a difference the next time you renew. She can be reached at 303.545.6772 x106 or courtney@accessfund.org.

Honestly, we didn’t do all our recruiting in Illinois; it just worked out that way.

Access Fund Climbing Preservation Grants Coming to a Crag Near You!

Need a parking lot for your favorite crag? What about a new trail? In the middle of a large stewardship project? AF's Climbing Preservation Grants could help accomplish your mission.

The Access Fund Climbing Preservation Grant program funds projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities and conserve the climbing environment throughout the United States. Since 1991, we have provided over a million dollars in grants to organizations and individuals that identify and work on the root causes of local climbing access and conservation issues and that approach issues with a commitment to long-term change.

www.accessfund.org/cons/guidelines.php

Clean Out Your Closets For A Good Cause

Ever try winter camping in a cardboard box? Without a puffy jacket? More than 3.5 million people in the United States––including an increasing number of families with children––spend some portion of the year homeless, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. This winter thousands of people across the country will struggle to survive on the street, where cold nights, snow, and freezing rain puts them at risk of exposure-related injuries.

You can help by donating your used outdoor clothing and gear to Down for the Down and Out (DFDO), a grassroots project started by two climbing moms that collects and distributes outdoor survival gear to the homeless. Needed items include: sleeping bags, tents, sleeping pads, backpacks, warm jackets and layers, rain gear, hats, gloves, socks, and boots.

This year, DFDO won one of Patagonia’s Dirtbag Grants to hold clothing/gear drives in five U.S. cities (see below for a list of drop-off locations). DFDO also accepts donations by mail at DFDO, 4272 26^th St., Boulder, CO 80304.

The following outdoor retailers, gyms, university, and the Access Fund generously volunteered to be drop-off locations:

Fayetteville, WV

Waterstone Outdoors (www.waterstoneoutdoors.com)

Chattanooga, TN

Rock Creek Outfitters (www.rockcreek.com)

Tennessee Bouldering Authority (www.tbagym.com)

Flagstaff, AZ

Vertical Relief Climbing Gym (www.verticalrelief.com)

Babbits Backcountry Outfitters

Boulder, CO

REI (www.rei.com)

The Spot Bouldering Gym (www.thespotgym.com)

Boulder Mountaineering (www.bouldermountaineering.com)

Neptune Mountaineering (www.neptunemountaineering.com)

The Access Fund (www.accessfund.org)

Boulder Rock Club (www.totalclimbing.com)

Las Vegas, NV

Desert Rock Sports (desertrocksportslv.com)

University of Nevada (www.unlv.edu)

Alpinist Warehouse Burns

All Inventory Lost, Subscriptions and Company Operations to Continue Without Interruption

Jackson, Wyoming - December 11, 2007 – On December 5, at approximately 11 a.m. CST, an Oregon, Illinois, warehouse that contained all of Alpinist Magazine’s inventory—back issues, hats, shirts, water bottles, stickers, coffee mugs—burned to the ground. Nothing was salvaged.

According to news reports, a forklift operator backed into a gas line in the warehouse, which was owned by the Kable News Company, a fulfillment company that provides subscription services for magazines such as Alpinist. The forklift punctured a gas line; the escaping gas was then ignited by a nearby space heater. The warehouse’s twenty employees escaped without injury, but by the time the 200-plus firefighters arrived from twenty area fire departments to combat the blaze, there was little they could do but let the two-story building burn to the ground.

Rockford, Illinois’, WREX-TV reported Oregon Fire Chief Don Heller as saying that the building was essentially “a box of timber.” “And we're still trying to figure out why the sprinkler system was shut off in this building," Heller, who estimated the damage at as much as $8 million, was quoted as saying.

For the Jackson, Wyoming-based Alpinist LLC, the fire came at a particularly critical time.

“The destruction of our entire inventory, including all our back issues, would have been bad enough. This one, though, came in the middle of the holidays—our bread-and-butter season,” said Alpinist publisher Marc Ewing. “We're dealing with details such as insurance and inventory loss at the moment, but the fire hasn’t affected subscription fulfillment in the least.”

“The silver lining has been the response from the climbing community,” said Alpinist co-founder Christian Beckwith. “We've received emails of support from around the world, and numerous readers have resubscribed or subscribed for the first time. Regardless of what it means to us as a business, as climbers the value of such responses is immense.”

Hailed by Italian climbing legend Reinhold Messner as "The best climbing magazine in the world today," Alpinist Magazine is an archival-quality, quarterly publication dedicated to world alpinism and adventure climbing. Alpinist owners and employees are continuing to finish work on Issue 23, which is due to ship to the printers’ on December 13 (it will be in stores March 1, 2008). They are also continuing their work on The 2008 Alpinist Film Festival, which is being held January 17–20, 2008, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

“We’ve put far too much work into Alpinist to let a fire slow us down,” said Ewing. “But we are thinking of creating a commemorative t-shirt that reads, ‘Official Alpinist Fork Lift Operator’. One day, we want to look back on this and have a good laugh.

Access Fund-4 Star Rating and End of Year Giving

The Access Fund has achieved the highest rating of four stars from Charity Navigator, the country's premier charity evaluator. Less than a quarter of the country's charity organizations have received this highest rating.

This "exceptional" designation indicates that the Access Fund outperforms the majority of non-profits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility. We put your money to work doing what you want it to do--keep climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment.

The end of the year kicks off charitable giving season and the tax laws intentionally encourage charitable giving. Individuals who make their gifts by December 31 and itemize can significantly reduce their 2007 income taxes!

As you consider your end of year charitable giving, please think about making a special or additional, tax-deductible gift to the Access Fund. Your special gift of $75, $150, $250, or more will help continue the Access Fund's commitment to keeping climbing areas open and to preserving the climbing environment.

There are many ways to give, including gifts of cash, stock, bequests, and real estate.

To make a donation go to www.accessfund.org/support/ or send a check to:
Access Fund
PO Box 17010
Boulder, CO 80308

Vertical Times 79 is Now Online!

Please check out the December Issue of the Vertical Times at

www.accessfund.org/news/vt.php

MEMBER BENEFITS

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

Give the Gift of Access

Order by December 16 to assure delivery by December 24!
www.accessfund.org/holiday

$75

Over $100 retail value - Quantities Limited! Order Today!

Quantities limited! Order by December 16 for delivery by December 24.

Order online at www.accessfund.org/holiday or call 888.8-Member x104

Cards for Access!

Climbing note-cards featuring graphic paintings of gear. Printed with soy or vegetable-based inks, 100% post-consumer-content recycled, chlorine-free paper, and offset 100% by investment in renewable energies. 10% of profits go to the Access Fund!

Free Membership at eConscious Market

eConscious Market is the Internet's largest philanthropic eco marketplace featuring eco-products for your home and office, work and play. Every time you shop, you give too. 50% of net profits from your purchase will be donated to the Access Fund!

For a free eConscious membership:
www.econsciousmarket.com/site/Become-A-Member
enter: accessfund (no spaces all lowercase) as your promo code
enter email and password and verify password
select Free (PROMO CODE REQUIRED - includes member only discounts)

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 Jeremy Collins. Sizes S, M, L, XL. $20 non-member / $18 member.

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 Jeremy Collins. Size S only (M & L currently out of stock). $20 non-member / $18 member.

Access Fund TNF Beanies

The perfect block heater for long ice-routes, crisp bouldering sessions, or a bad hair day. 100% Merino wool. A soft fleece lining adds a little extra protection from the elements. Tastefully co-branded with the Access Fund and The North Face logos. One Size. $15 non-member / $13.50 member. NOW IN STOCK!

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. Ten dollars from each purchase made through this link will be donated to the AF. Go, Gunther! Thanks, ASANA!

AF Ambassador Timmy O’Neil “takes care of business” in Indian Creek www.accessfund.org/extras/tic.php

AF Ambassador Chris Sharma sending a first ascent in the boulderProject promo spot at www.accessfund.org/extras/promo.php

Combined Federal Campaign

Are you a federal employee? Did you know that 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 donate to AF through the federal government's Combined Federal Campaign. The CFC is a charitable fundraising program that enables you to give to the Access Fund through automatic payroll deductions.

If you are a federal employee, please look for the Access Fund (agency # 12047) in the official CFC listing of eligible donors. You can also make your contribution online by going to www.conservenow.org, clicking on “Search for a Charity,” typing in “Access Fund,” and making your contribution there.

If you have additional questions on these programs, please contact Ellen Jardine at ellen@accessfund.org.