I hate letters like this and I apologize for stuffing your mailbox with my ramblings. To be honest, whenever I get one of these things I usually toss it away. I’m talking about the solicitations that remind us that everything is going to hell in a hand-basket, that make us feel guilty, that ask us for our hard-earned money, darn it.

So let me try another approach: The planet is doing fine, there is nothing to worry about! Global warming is a big fat joke! The wars against everything are going well and we’re gonna be slam-dunk winners! The environment is in fine shape, there are more trees and animals than ever before! Mission Accomplished! Our simple rights to go climbing are unthreatened and all rumors to the contrary are silly! There is nothing at all to worry about and climbers don’t need organizations like the Access Fund! Have a nice day!

If you believe any of the above, throw this letter away now.

Otherwise, humor me a while.

I think we are in more trouble than we know. I don’t think we can affect change in a lot of the arenas I touched on two paragraphs ago, but I believe we can influence some basic things - like preserving climbing areas and keeping them free and open. We can even improve them.

That seems like a miniscule thing, does it not? But it’s harder than you think.

Let me cut to the chase: I became a father two years ago. I want to take my daughter to the open spaces, the wilderness, and the climbing areas in America that have infused my soul so richly for so many years; I want to offer her the opportunity to feel those places and the experience of climbing sink into her bones in the same way it has sunk so deeply into mine.

But, I fear, I won’t be able to offer her the opportunity to go climb a rock, or camp in a pretty place, or sit around a campfire with friends, unless I take a stand. We have to support something, and if we think climbing is worth a pinch of salt, we better help the Access Fund.

Recently in the Moab area, where I hang my hat, the Access Fund seeded an organization called Friends of Indian Creek. This little tribe germinated and bloomed and has worked successfully with the local rancher, government agencies, and environmental groups to preserve climbing at this legendary desert climbing area.

If the Access Fund wasn’t there to guide and support this grass-roots group, climbers could have lost many rights. The Access Fund is quietly present, just like that, in dozens of climbing areas across the country. We need ‘em.

Thanks for hearing me out. Now you can throw this letter in the garbage. Better yet, recycle it. But if anything I’ve said touched a nerve, please renew your membership or send an additional donation to the Access Fund. Double darn it, I suppose that means me too. My membership has expired. As much as I hate parting with my own cash, I don’t have a choice, do I?

Sincerely,
Greg Child

P.S. Please support the Access Fund today with an additional donation or renewal by December 31, 2006. See the enclosed reply form for your member expiration date to determine how you’d like to contribute.

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