Third Annual Kickin' Access Tour

9/10/03 – Carbondale, Colorado. The Third Annual Kickin’ Access tours is underway currently touring the west and coming to a climbing gym or shop near you. Kickin’ Access is Kurt Smith’s traveling climbing party that raises climber awareness and money for the Access Fund. Attendees who are not already Access Fund members are encouraged to sign up at the event. Smith and Kickin’ Access have been one of the Access Fund’s biggest sources of new members since the tour started. Funds that go directly to the Access Fund are raised with a raffle for prizes donated by Nike ACG, Climbing Magazine, Entre Prises, Thule Car Rack Systems, Misty Mountain, Scarpa, Black Diamond, Gregory Mountain Packs, and Krieg Chalkbags. In addition to the raffle is a showing of the newly released video, Friction Addiction – Black Hills Gold. Friction Addiction brings you an amazing summer of daring run-outs and bouldering first ascents from South Dakota’s Black Hills. John Gill provides historical insight into this cradle of American bouldering, and John “The Verm” Sherman and a host of South Dakota and Colorado climbers check their mettle against some of the most famous Gill problems around and put up many of their own. Rounding out the event is live music by DJ Highball.“Smith’s commitment to sport is longstanding and impressive,” comments Climbing’s Editor Jeff Achey. “Kickin’ Access is an innovative fundraising campaign that is amazingly effective. Smith’s shows are a great time for a great cause. Climbing is psyched to work with devoted people like Smith who share our goals – keeping climbing areas open through stewardship and community support and having a great time doing it. Hat’s off to Kickin’ Access and all the companies and individuals that make it successful.”“The support from our sponsors is critical to making Kickin’ Access happen,” notes Smith.“It’s great to see the commitment and generosity they muster for community service. My wife Elaina and I are proud to be able to spread the word about the Access Fund and be backed by some of the most influential organizations in the climbing community.”For a complete listing of Kickin’ Access tour stops and dates and to purchase Friction Addiction go to: climbing.local/events/kickinaccessAbout CLIMBING MagazineCLIMBING Magazine is the world’s leading publication on climbing and mountaineering, setting the standard through content and design innovation while maintaining close ties to the rich tradition of the sport. Climbing encourages, supports, and engages in activities that preserve the climbing environment and educate the climbing community about conservation and safety. Climbing’s paid circulation is 45,935. Climbing is the only publication in its category with circulation verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC). For more information on CLIMBING Magazine, contact Scott Leonard at sleonard@climbing.com