As summer rolls into fall, Access Fund’s Climber Stewards are wrapping up their time in the New River Gorge—and headed back to Indian Creek and the Red River Gorge for another season.

“Returning to the same destination crags season after season, we can clearly see the impacts that climbers have in these world-class destinations due to years of increasing concentrated use,” says Access Fund stewardship & education director Andrea Hassler. “But we also see climbers step up to address these impacts, embracing ways we can shift our behaviors as a community so that these landscapes we love can thrive while we maintain sustainable access. Climber Stewards are key to leading and inspiring the community on this journey.”

Climber Stewards are on the ground in these popular climbing destinations during peak seasons. They connect with climbers throughout the season in two key ways:

  • Climber Coffee at popular trailheads, catching climbers as they head to the crag for a free cup of coffee and to share information about local species and environmental concerns, crowding at particular crags, cultural history, and tips for recreating responsibly.

  • Crag Chats, which offer the Climber Stewards an informal way to connect with visiting climbers throughout the day. Climber Stewards share information about the place and help to paint the full picture of the climbing environment and ways that we can minimize our impacts.

Read on to meet the team!

New River Gorge

Elam Grekin - Climber Steward

Elam started climbing 15 years ago in Index and Squamish before moving to Connecticut. She’s climbed all along the East Coast and loves scary gear lines, heinous off-width, and friction slabs. Elam's background includes outdoor education, farming, theatre, and event production—all great opportunities to develop and practice different teaching styles to help people connect to the environment through access or education.

Natalie Lobach - Climber Steward

Natalie began climbing in Chicago before moving to Connecticut and climbing at crags like Rumney and Ragged Mountain. Their passion for building community combined with a background in education, farming, and visual arts have made them feel at home in the New, centering their work in education built from years of experience teaching practical classes on farming, academic philosophy, and horseback riding.

Red River Gorge

Chris Karounos - Climber Steward

Chris is back for another season as a Red River Gorge Climber Steward. He brings extensive knowledge about flora and fauna in the Gorge, combined with a deep passion for protecting the forests where we climb.

Taylor Bryant - Climber Steward

Taylor will join Chris as a Red River Gorge Climber Steward this season. Born and was raised in Indianapolis, Taylor began his journey climbing when he moved to the Red at age 19 and hasn't stopped since. He loves good music and hackysack, and you might catch him dilly-dallying around any beautiful woodland area.

Indian Creek

Gerry Egbalic - Climber Steward

A self-proclaimed dirtbag climber, Gerry brings his enthusiasm and knowledge for climbing in the Creek combined with his passion for sharing stewardship for Bears Ears with the entire climbing community.

Greta Staggs - Climber Steward

Greta is back for her first season as an Indian Creek Climber Steward after working with Access Fund in the Red River Gorge this Spring. Greta has an extensive background in environmental education and outreach and she’s psyched to bring her passion for climbing and community to the Creek this Fall.

 

James Boardman - Trail Steward

James is back for another season as an Indian Creek Trail Steward, working on the Optimator Trail and Second Meat Wall. James spent his summer with the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, building trails in the Rocky Mountain alpine.

Olive Ryschon - Trail Steward

Olive will join the Access Fund team for the first time this fall as a Creek Trail Steward. She brings a robust background in conservation and trail building as well as an intense passion for climbing in Indian Creek. Be sure to catch these two on the trail and feel free to lend a hand, carry a rock, or give them a high five!

 

In the area? Join a Climber Coffee!

Stop by for fresh coffee and local beta.

New River Gorge Climber Coffee (through October 27):

  • Fridays: Kaymore Trailhead

  • Saturday: Sandstonia Parking Lot

  • Sunday: Summersville Lake Parking Lot

Red River Gorge Climber Coffee (September 13 - November 17):

  • Fridays: Martin’s Fork trailhead

  • Saturdays: Muir Valley parking area

  • Sundays: Various RRGCC properties

Indian Creek Climber Coffee (October 11 - December 6):

  • Friday & Saturday Mornings: Beef Basin parking area

  • Sunday Morning: Super Crack parking area

New This Fall: Access Fund has partnered with the Gunks Climber Coalition and Minnewaska State Park to launch a brand new, volunteer-based Climber Stewards Program with support from local affinity groups the New York Climbing Collective, Asian Climbing Tribe, and Brown Girls Climb. High visitation at this world-class climbing destinations puts massive pressure on sensitive landscapes, which can lead to significant environmental impacts. Volunteer Stewards will be at the Peter's Kill climbing area every Saturday and Sunday, interacting with park visitors to engage on low-impact practices for climbing in the Gunks.

We couldn’t do this work without the support of our fantastic Climber Stewards program partners. They include:

  • New River Gorge: New River Alliance of Climbers, New River Gorge National Park, US Army Corps of Engineers.

  • Red River Gorge: Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, Muir Valley, Daniel Boone National Forest, National Forest Foundation (new this fall)

  • Indian Creek: Friends of Indian Creek, Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, Visit with Respect

Special thanks to our sponsors: Adidas, Alpine Start, YETI, SCARPA, Rab, Liberty Mountain, Hest, Sterling Ropes, Leave No Trace, and Utah Recreational Trails Program