Oil Crack in Red River Gorge, KY © Caleb Timmerman.

This was a big year for Access Fund’s Anchor Replacement Fund. Thanks to our presenting partner Arc’teryx, we were able to increase the amount of money awarded to Local Climbing Organizations (LCOs) from $10,000 in 2025 to $15,000 in 2026. 

This year, we received 5 grant applications totaling $18,472.80. We awarded $15,000 and were able to fully fund 3 out of the 5 applicants. Along with increased funding, we are excited to gift the awarding LCOs with a full Petzl rope access kit to support their anchor replacement initiatives and increase the safety for this type of work.

Awardees span LCOs across the country, with projects at beloved backyard crags in Ouray, CO and Sunset Alley, UT, an iconic alpine wall in Jackson Hole, WY, and a newly reopened crag in the Red River Gorge, plus an investment in anchor replacement volunteer training and development.

”This year's Anchor Replacement Fund awardees really run the gamut of types of climbing areas, experiences, and communities” says Daniel Dunn, Access Fund’s eastern regional director. “What they all have in common is that these initiatives are being led by deeply committed organizations and individuals who want fixed anchors at their home crags to be sustainable for future generations of climbers. We are happy to support these locally-led efforts, and thankful for our brand partners allowing us to have a bigger impact on the ground.” 

Fresh bolts and hardware are coming to a crag near you! These are the 2026 Anchor Replacement Fund grantees:

St. George Climbers Coalition (SGCC):

St. George Climbers Coalition has received funding to replace aging hardware in Utah’s Sunset Alley. Sunset Alley is one of the most popular sport climbing areas in southwestern Utah. Developed during the late 2000s, it offers a broad range of climbing grades that appeal to beginners, intermediate climbers, and experienced sport climbers. After nearly two decades of continuous use, SGCC will replace aging hardware with modern 316 stainless steel glue-in Wave Bolts. 

Red River Gorge Fixed Gear Initiative:

The Red River Gorge Fixed Gear Initiative received funding to replace hardware at  Oil Crack and Arena. These crags were developed over 25 years ago, and access has been recently restored after a 20 year closure. Red River Gorge Fixed Gear Initiative plans to replace aging hardware and install mussy hooks and perma-draws. This project will help reintroduce these routes back to the general public. 

Ouray Climbers Alliance:

Ouray Climbers Coalition received funding to replace hardware in Rotary Park. Ouray’s Rotary Park is the most popular crag in Ouray County with routes ranging from 5.4 to 5.12. Many of these routes were first bolted 20 years ago, and with the combination of popularity and soft rock, many bolts are needing to be replaced. Through this grant and their own fundraising, Ouray Climbers Alliance hopes to replace 200 bolts in Rotary Park.

Teton Climbers Coalition:

Teton Climbers Coalition received funding to replace hardware at Rock Springs Buttress (RSB). RSB is home to more than 70 routes, making it one of the area’s best and most popular multi-pitch climbing venues. There has been no organized maintenance of the area and many RSB bolts and anchors are nearly two decades old. Spinning bolts and suspect anchors have been identified on multiple routes. The RSB audit aims to address aging hardware, manage impacts, and reduce trail erosion, ensuring RSB remains a cherished site for this and future generation of Teton climbers.

Boulder Climbing Community (BCC):

Boulder Climbing Community received funding to support volunteer anchor replacement training and development for their Anchor Replacement Program. BCC is the leading LCO in the Front Range replacing substandard bolts with new, updated stainless steel hardware. The BCC will use these funds to support volunteer development and appreciation through rope access and first aid training. This program will include hands-on education, operating procedures, custom tool fabrication, and numerous rebolting events.

Access Fund is thrilled to help fund anchor replacement initiatives across the country. Thank you, again, to Arc’teryx for bringing real stoke and support in helping amplify this mission to preserve climbing areas for the next generation of climbers.