By Eli Bernstein
The two first met on Denali—Micki on the way up, CB coming down—and, after discovering they both lived in Colorado, they reconnected back in Summit County. Though neither was a dedicated rock climber at the time, a lifelong rope partnership soon flourished, followed by marriage and, eventually, a move to Mazama, Washington.
In Mazama, perched on the northeastern edge of the Cascades, the Thomases found a community that fit them perfectly. They managed the local gear depot, Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, for over a decade and became immersed in the local climbing scene. It was there that they came across the ideal opportunity to give back to the sport that brought them together.
Micki and CB had been Access Fund members for years when, in 2016, they decided to contact the organization regarding a local issue. The trails up to the Liberty Bell Group on Washington Pass, a zone that includes the classic Liberty Bell and the Early Winters Spires, were in bad shape, with approach trails so eroded they looked like braided waterfalls. The Thomases reached out to Access Fund, who deployed their Conservation Team to work with the Forest Service and a coalition of Washington climbing groups to restore the area.
A couple of years later, Micki and CB once again stepped up for their fellow Mazama climbers.
This time, the proposal concerned renovating the belay platforms and approach trails at Phun Rock, a popular crag located less than a mile from Goat’s Beard. The Thomases contacted Access Fund and former National Stewardship Director Ty Tyler, and the organization was able to lend another helping hand to this highly trafficked area. “He brought the crew back, and they completely redid the climber’s access, which was amazing,” recounted CB.
For the Thomases, seeing the organization come through for their community time and time again was eye-opening.
“They lobby for everything we care about, but when it gets to be local, you really see the benefit,” said CB.
Micki and CB’s work with Access Fund is still in full swing. They’re involved in an ongoing effort to maintain access to Phun Rock, which was threatened by the crag’s parking lot potentially falling into private hands. They have an endless supply of projects to tackle. From new bolts to new bathrooms, there are endless ways to make the area better, safer, and more appealing for current and future climbers.
But the Thomases aren’t stopping there. Climbing changed their lives, and they’re hoping they can help it do the same for others, even after they’re permanently off belay. They’ve decided to donate a portion of their estate to Access Fund, ensuring their legacy will endure as long as the organization is around to help climbing communities in need.