The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) and the Access Fund acquired two bouldering and climbing access properties just north of Chattanooga, TN. This acquisition secures a new climbing area, known as Hell’s Kitchen, and creates a critical public access point to the climbing at Dogwood Boulders. Both properties, owned by the same private landowner, have been on SCC and Access Fund’s radar for years as high-value to climbers.

When they went up for sale, Access Fund began discussions with the landowner to prevent the properties from falling into non-climber friendly hands. Coordinating with SCC, Access Fund reached an agreement with the landowner in late 2017 and went under contract in January 2018. Access Fund secured both properties using $125,000 in short-term funding from their Climbing Conservation Loan Program and $6,500 of initial support from SCC.