Liberty Bell Group—and the Rest of North Cascades National Park—Is Closed Due to Wildfires
The Sourdough and Blue Lake Fires shut down the only road through the park, preventing climbers from accessing the area’s premium alpine granite.
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Climbing Blind in Torres del Paine National Park
A new film follows two climbers on their quest to normalize the partnerships between able-bodied and adaptive climbers and raise awareness about accessibility barriers
When Legends Die: The Changing Face of Hueco Tanks State Park
Did the rules that climbers hated actually save Hueco Tanks? (From 2019)
We Have to Change the Way We Do Our Business
Best practice for climbers is now to pack out your poo.
Access Fund’s Conservation Team is Restoring Worn Out Crags
The Conservation Team is composed of land restoration experts who travel the country and work on bringing climbing areas back to health. But they need our help.
No Spring Break Climbing in Bishop This Year
Inyo County is under disaster declaration while roads to many popular boulder fields and crags remain closed.
Idaho’s City of Rocks Expands into New Climbing Territory
The National Park Service has acquired 105 acres of land, and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation purchased 260 acres, all land that had previously been privately owned and had limited access for use.
80% of Chaos Canyon’s Bouldering Is Closed. Some Question Park Service’s Motive
Upper and Upper Upper Chaos Canyon were closed due to a rockslide this summer. The extent of the closures may be the result of pre-existing tensions caused by bad climber behavior.
Hard Limestone Sport Climbing in… Vermont?
With perhaps the exception of Rumney, Lone Rock may possess New England’s highest concentration of 5.13-on-up sport climbs for a wall its size.
Flood in the Desert: How Tidal Wave of Climbers is Reshaping Bishop, California
“It only takes a few people a year to really do some damage.”
Michigan Gets its First Climber-Owned Crag
Slugg's Bluff has roughly two dozen existing routes and more on the way. Permanently protecting this area is a big win for Upper Peninsula climbers.
Updated: Yosemite’s Big Wall Permits Are Here to Stay
Progress or persecution? Yosemite's now permanent big wall permit program has met a mixed reaction in the climbing world. Here's what we know so far.
Montana Has Granite The Size Of Half Dome. Why Don’t You Know About It?
A warm invite to climb in Montana —just don’t expect a mint on your pillow
Central Spain Offers World Class Climbing, but Whether Crags Will Remain Open Is up to Climbers
As the crag came into view, their spirits soared, then quickly sank: “We began to notice that something was missing,” Tighe said. “The first two bolts from every route.”
Record Numbers Of Climbers Are Imperiling Our Sport. Act Now Or We Could Lose Access.
Climbers are impacting crags and bouldering areas in record numbers, and land managers are noticing. Let's make this a positive by working with the Access Fund to become better stewards.
Do Climbing Gyms Have a Responsibility to Teach Outdoor Etiquette?
As climbing slides into the mainstream, climber education becomes crucial for protecting our outdoor crags and public lands. Are climbing gyms the answer?
Freedom of the Hills Isn’t So Free Anymore
Climbers face increased regulation. Here’s what we can do about it.
“The Rise, Fall, and (Potential) Rebirth of Quincy Quarries”
“When you climb at the Quarries, you get good at slab climbing or you leave.” John Strand
Caldor Fire Burns Lover’s Leap, Multiple Bouldering Areas Endangered or Burned
Dozens of climbing areas have been impacted by the fire, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.
Little Cottonwood Canyon Boulders Threatened by Infrastructure Plan: Hundreds of Problems May Disappear
To alleviate 30-ish days of extreme ski traffic each year, the Utah Department of Transportation is deciding between two $500 million infrastructure projects, both of which would destroy priceless Utah boulders. Make your voice heard now.
The Spirit of Aloha: Piloting Responsible Access in Hawaii
How Kānaka Climbers is encouraging ethical outdoor recreation in the state.
Recap: The Access Fund’s “Climbing on Sacred Land” Panel
Check out Matt Samet's author page.
Access Fund Awards Over $25,000 in Climbing Conservation Grants
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Carved for Attention: Why the Tradition of Carving Desert Plaques is Outdated
Check out Dakota Walz's author page.
Climbers Buy New Cliff at The Gunks
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Bolton Dome, Vermont, and the State’s New Schist Golden Age
Check out Michael Pronzato's author page.
BLM Cancels Plans to Auction 85,000 Acres Around Moab Amid Pressure From Climbers
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Moab Climbing Areas Threatened by Oil and Gas Development
Enormous swaths of public land around Moab have been nominated for leasing to oil and gas companies, encompassing classic desert climbing areas. Public comment is open for the next 30 days to prevent leasing the land.
Climbers Acquire Monster Rock Outside Austin, Texas
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Sand Rock, Alabama: With Easy Access Comes Great Responsibility
Check out Leann Hill's author page.
Q&A: Access Fund Policy Director Erik Murdock Explains the Bitterroots Climbing Ban
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
Access Fund Action Alert: Bitterroot National Forest Bans New Bolts and First Ascents
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Access Fund: BLM Finalizes Flawed Management Plan for Bears Ears
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Access Fund Challenges Indoor Climbing Gyms With New InsideOut Education Initiative
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Access News: New Northeast Climbing Destination Secured
Western Mass Climbers Coalition, Ragged Mountain Foundation, and Access Fund partner to acquire Hanging Mountain in Southwest Massachusetts
For the Love of Climbing: Does Leave No Trace Exist in Climbing?
Check out Kathy Karlo's author page.
Public-Private Partnership: How Reimers Ranch Became the Model for Climbing Access in Texas
Check out Rye Druzin's author page.
The Ten Sleep Route Manufacturing Controversy Explained
Check out Hannah Gartner's author page.
The Future of Climbing: Access Fund to Convene Annual Summit Celebration
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Access Fund: New Bears Ears Management Plan Fails Climbers
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Smith Rock State Park Expanding to Include the Lower Gorge
Check out Hannah Gartner's author page.
Lost and Found: Lost Ledge Brings Quality Bouldering to Bellingham, WA
Check out Hannah Gartner's author page.
Petition: Protect Cochamó Valley, Chile
Check out Climbing Staff's author page.
Secure the Ledges Campaign Succeeds, Protecting Climbing Access in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley
Check out Hannah Gartner's author page.
Australia's Grampians National Park Announces Sweeping Climbing Closures
Check out Bennett Slavsky's author page.
Harpers Ferry Climbers Fight to Regain Access After Widespread Closures
Check out Bennett Slavsky's author page.
Congress Passes Bill Protecting Climbing Access, The First in US History
Congress passed the Natural Resources Management Act by a landslide vote on February 26, 2019. The bill is the first-ever piece of federal legislation to include climbing-specific language and protection, and sets an invaluable precedent for the years to come.
Philly Rocks: Urban Climbing in the City of Brotherly Love
Check out Hannah Gartner's author page.
The Homestead: How You Can Help Save This Desert Tufa-Climbing Mecca
Check out Lucas Anaya's author page.
Climbing Holiday Gift Guide: Access Fund Membership (Matched Through Dec 15!)
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
Kkungu Spire: Worshipping the Stone in the Ugandan Jungle
Check out Alexandra Fisher's author page.
Out On a Ledge: Keeping the Wilderness Wild
How our simple presence Impacts and even disrupts crag fauna
Chris Winter to Join Access Fund as New Executive Director
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Climbing Made Public: Sport Climbing Comes to Upstate New York at Thacher State Park
Check out Alan Wechsler's author page.
How Climbers Helped Save Portland's Madrone Wall From Quarrying
Check out Brooke Jackson's author page.
Crusty Corner: Three Simple Tips to Be a Better Custodian of Crowded Cliffs
Check out Matt Samet's author page.
Access Fund Executive Director Brady Robinson to Step Down to Pursue Global Conservation
Check out Access Fund's author page.
Trying for Invisible: The Impact of Climbing on Peru's Cordillera Blanca
Check out Matt Spohn's author page.
Access Fund Will Sue Federal Government to Defend Bears Ears National Monument
The non-profit climbing advocacy organization will file a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to protect Bears Ears National Monument, home to world-renowned climbing
Interview: Access Fund's Brady Robinson on Trump's Bears Ears Reduction
President Trump announced a massive reduction to both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah. We spoke to Access Fund Executive Director Brady Robinson about the implications.
7 Low-Impact, Leave No Trace Climbing Tips
Professional mountain guide and Climbing’s Intro to Trad instructor Rob Coppolillo shares seven ways to preserve wild places.
Wild And Wonderful: West Virginia's PsicoRoc Deep Water Soloing Competition
Check out Climbing Staff's author page.
The Givers: Amanda Peterson—The Trail Guru
6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open
The Givers: Blake Bowling—The Hardware Man
6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open
The Givers: Gabe Cisneros—The Environmentalist
6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open
The Givers: Nathan Brown—The Man of Solo Action
Check out Jenny Abegg's author page.
The Givers: Matt Ulery—The Community Organizer
6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open
Not Just Dirtbags: The Economic Impact of Climbers in the Red River Gorge, Explained
New research is helping to change the perception of climbers and grow economic opportunities near Eastern Kentucky's Red River Gorge.
The Givers: Ben Scott—The Climbers' Coalition President
6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open
The Givers: 6 Selfless Climbers Working Hard to Keep Our Crags Safe, Healthy, and Open
Check out Jenny Abegg's author page.
5 Ways You Can Protect Climbing Access on Public Lands
Check out Chris Rooney's author page.
In Depth: Bears Ears and the Ongoing Battle to Protect U.S. Climbing Areas
Check out Cameron Fenton's author page.
Legal for a Day: West Virginia's PsicoRoc Deep Water Soloing Competition
Summersville Lake in West Virginia features the best deep water soloing in the country, and it has the potential to bring in major dollars for the local economy. The catch? It’s technically illegal. The wild and unique PsicoRoc event wants to change that.
Vote for Climbing: Where the 2016 Candidates Stand on Outdoor Issues
Examining two important issues for climbers in the presidential election
Ski-Style Climbing Resorts and the Future of Climbing Access
Check out Cameron Fenton's author page.
Bouldering Access Restored at Maryland's Catoctin Mountain Park
Check out Climbing Staff's author page.
Brad Peterson: How to Make a Difference Through Climbing
Meet Brad Peterson, former Director of the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation. Yes, that's a thing.
Virginia's Breaks Interstate Park Opens Climbing Access
Check out Climbing Staff's author page.
Save Oak Flat, Arizona From Mining
Help save Oak Flat, a popular climbing area and sacred Native American site, from being irreparably damaged by mining.
Help The Access Fund Preserve Rumney's Northwest Crags
Access Fund and RCA secure purchasing rights to six crags