Access Fund received 6 grant applications totaling $16,231.40. A total of $10,000 is available for this year. Applications are from LCOs around the country and include work at iconic climbing areas such as The Endless Wall, WV and Little River Canyon, AL as well as beloved backyard crags such as Skinner Butte, OR and He Mni Can, MN.

“Local Climbing Organizations continue to serve a critical role in maintaining and replacing fixed anchors at climbing areas and scaling up efforts nationwide. From world class venues to beloved backyard crags, Access Fund is excited to support these six efforts by local climbers to take care of their climbing resources for future generations,” Daniel Dunn, Eastern Regional Director & Policy Analyst.

Anchor Replacement Training Day at the 2023 Climbing Advocacy Conference © Dustin O’Reilly

Committee recommended funding all applications (some partially) for a total of $10,000.

1. Willamette Area Climbers Coalition
WACC received funding to undertake a full rebolting effort on Skinner Butte AKA the Columns in Eugene, OR. A beloved backyard climbing area, the Columns are steeped in history for Oregon climbers. WACC will work with the Eugene Parks Department to replace older fixed anchors with modern glue-ins for climber safety and to facilitate city sponsored educational classes.

2. Portland Area Climbers Coalition
PACC received funding to support their anchor replacement program and training clinics they offer for the community. PACC maintains fixed anchors in the greater Portland area and relies on trained volunteers to complete the work. Funds from this grant will be used to provide tools and equipment to bolster current kits.

3. Minnesota Climbers Association
MCA received funding to replace fixed anchors at the He Mni Can aka Barn Bluff crag in Red Wing, Minnesota. As the premier sport crag in Minnesota, He Mni Can is a great resource for climbers living in the Twin Cities. MCA will work to replace all older, substandard fixed anchors with modern glue-ins.

4. New River Alliance of Climbers
NRAC received funding to undertake an anchor replacement project at the world class Cirque along the Endless Wall. NRAC will replace all older, substandard fixed anchors with modern glue-ins with an emphasis on one-for-one replacement. Modernizing this international climbing area will ensure future generations locally and abroad can enjoy some of the best stone the U.S. has to offer.

5. Boulder Climbing Community
BCC received funding to support the ongoing operations of their Anchor Replacement Program. Serving the Front Range of Colorado, BCC maintains fixed anchors at numerous popular climbing areas. Funds from this grant will support BCC’s professionally run program and ensure volunteers get proper training and supplies.

6. Southeastern Climbers Coalition
SCC received funding to support anchor replacement efforts at TN and AL crags. SCC maintains a robust volunteer program for anchor replacement efforts and will focus upcoming efforts on Deep Creek in Tennessee and Little River Canyon in Alabama. Treasured local crags, and under the radar destinations, these steep sandstone venues will see upgrades to old, substandard fixed anchors being replacement with modern glue-ins.