The Access Fund is pleased to announce that they have acquired Alphabet Rock and Icehouse Boulders in Icicle Canyon outside Leavenworth. This conservation project is the result of a collaboration among Access Fund, the private landowner, local partner organizations, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The property will soon be transferred to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, marking another success story for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).  

The 11-acre private property includes Alphabet Rock and the Icehouse Boulders, as well as the initial access path to Givler’s Dome and outlier crags on adjacent USFS lands. Together, these granite cliffs and outcrops feature more than 40 historic cracks, slabs, faces, and hueco-filled roofs, ranging in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.13, as well as dozens of challenging boulder problems. The prominent 250-foot Givler’s Crack, Dogleg Crack, and Meat Grinder are just a few classics that have attracted climbers since the 1970s.  

The Access Fund now owns the parcel as a short-term holding, using funds from its Climbing Conservation Loan Program (CCLP). The same loan fund and conservation strategy enabled Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) to acquire the Lower Index Town Wall in 2009. Since then, the Access Fund has loaned approximately $3.2 million to 27 climbing areas across the country. Now, the Access Fund will transfer the property to Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest later this year to permanently protect the area as public land. The USFS has secured federal LWCF dollars to complete the property transfer. Right now, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering permanent, dedicated funding for LWCF in the Great American Outdoors Act, which recently passed the U.S. Senate with bi-partisan support.   

“Historic crags like Alphabet Rock and Givler’s Dome have been a cherished resource to climbers for half a century,” says Leavenworth Mountain Association (LMA) Board President Alison Miller. “Protection of this parcel is an essential part of LMA’s work to conserve and steward climbing areas and natural resources throughout Icicle Canyon.”

The post Access Fund Purchases New Climbing Areas appeared first on Out There Venture.

Just when you think you had everyone on your list covered with ideas from OTM’‘s Holiday Gift Guide, we come along with another totally rad gift idea. The Access Fund‘s Super Holiday Pack is ideal for the climbing gear junkie — and it benefits the Access Fund’s mission to advocate for keeping climbing areas open and protecting the environment.

It’s $85 and includes:

– A 1-year Access Fund Membership to help keep your crags open
– A 1-year subscription to Rock & Ice magazine (a $30 value)!
– Access Fund organic cotton tee T-shirt from prAna
– Omega Pacific keylock biner engraved with “Access Fund”
– prAna Signature Hemp Cap to keep your noggin cool
– RESTOP bag system: just because a bear goes in the woods doesn’t mean you should
– Higher Ground Roasters’ Access Fund Brew
– Seasonal flavored Clif Bars (think gingerbread and pumpkin spice)
– Access Fund Piton Bottle Opener–show your support while cracking a cold one
– MSR Mug Mate makes café-quality brew for the outdoor java junky
– Marmot Fleece Gloves to keep your mitts warm on long belays
– Falcon Guides’ “Flakes, Jugs, & Splitters: A Climber’s Guide to Geology”

Visit accessfund.org or call 303.545.6772 for information, or to place your order.

The post One More Gift Idea appeared first on Out There Venture.

I know this is on the west side, near Index Washington, and most local climbers may not be familiar with it, but the issue is all to familiar to climbers everywhere. Check out this press release from the Access Fund:

Access Fund and Washington Climbers Coalition Working to Protect Lower Index Town Wall, WA

The Index Town Walls of Washington feature one of the best concentrations of steep, clean granite cracks and face climbs in Western North America. Prior to its 50-year climbing history, parts of the Lower Town Wall were quarried for granite before the Burlington Northern railroad moved closer to the wall in the 1960s. While the Country and Upper Town Wall are protected on State Park and National Forest land, the family who ran the quarrying operation still own the 20-acre parcel that includes the Inner Walls, Lower Town Wall, and Quarry. This area contains such classics as Thin Fingers, Godzilla, City Park, and Toxic Shock.

The landowners have historically allowed public access and climbing. However, recent interest from quarrying companies led the landowner to post no trespassing signs earlier in March. The Access Fund and Washington Climbers Coalition are working closely together to address the access issue and work with the landowner to find an alternative solution, such as permanent protection through acquisition in the near future. The Access Fund and WCC thank the climbing community, Washington State Parks, and other advocates for your support. For more information, property map, and updates, please view: www.washingtonclimbers.org/Current/Town.htm.

The post Access Denied at Popular Climbing Spot appeared first on Out There Venture.