The Access Fund awarded over $10,000 to support local climbing activism and conserve the climbing environments. In the second round of the Climbing Grants Preservation program, the Access Fund supported five projects proposed by local climbing and conservation organizations. Grant recipients were CRAG-VT, Utah Open Lands, Yosemite Climbing Association, and Friends of Muir Valley.

CRAG-VT will use Access Fund grant monies to assist in the acquisition of Upper West Bolton Cliff (a.k.a. Upper West) in Bolton, Vermont. Less than 30 minutes from Burlington and Montpelier, Upper West is one of northern Vermont’s most popular and historic cliffs. It hosts 250-foot traditional climbs, ice climbs, and a boulder field. For more information, contact Travis Peckham, President of CRAG-VT, at tfpeckham@gmail.com.

Utah Open Lands received grant funds for its Castleton Tower trail and campground improvement project. On October 24-26, Utah Open Lands will host a three-day Adopt-a-Crag event at the base of Castleton Tower to improve the Castleton Tower access trail, trailhead, and primitive climbers’ camp. For more information, contact David Erley of Utah Open Lands at dderley@frontiernet.net

Yosemite Climbing Association will use its grant award for the five-day Yosemite Face-Lift Adopt-a-Crag. This annual Adopt-a-Crag event attracts hundreds of volunteers to the U.S.’s premiere climbing destination. For more information, contact Ken Yager, President and Executive Director of Yosemite Climbing Association, at YCA@inreach.com.

Friends of Muir Valley’s grant award will contribute to the improvement of creek crossings and the at Muir Valley Climbing area in Kentucky. Muir Valley, a newly developed climbing area, has seen increased visits in the last few years. To learn more email Fomv.lco@gmail.com.

Funds awarded to the Western Colorado Climbers Coalition (WCCC) will assist the newly formed Local Climbing Organization with startup costs. The WCCC, based out of Grand Junction, Colorado, is fundraising to purchase privately owned portions of Unaweep Canyon. For more information or to donate to the Unaweep acquisition, email western_co_climbers@hotmail.com.