Each year, our Conservation Teams hit the road with an ambitious schedule. Now, after 10 months, the six expert trailbuilders and conservation specialists who make up our 2024 Conservation Team are wrapping up their year restoring beloved climbing areas. Here’s what they accomplished—all thanks to your support:

  • 10 states visited

  • 12 local climbing organization partners

  • 16 land management agency collaborations

  • 23 projects undertaken

  • 37 rock staircases constructed

  • 101 retaining walls stacked

  • 395 steps placed

  • 400 volunteers engaged

  • 2,873 feet of new trails built

  • 9,256 feet of existing trail restored or maintained

Any time humans are out on the land there will be environmental impact, and climbing is no exception. But Access Fund’s Conservation Teams have the tools and expertise to help local climbing communities manage these impacts so that climbing landscapes can thrive. In 2024, they help set climbing areas up to protect sustainable access and the environment in:

  • March 21 - April 1, Indian Creek, Utah: Improvements to the Optimator Wall approach trail with the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps.

  • April 9 - May 5, Breaks Interstate Park, Virginia/Kentucky: Technical trail improvements on the Eastern Prospectors Trail to the Belle of the Ball with Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition.

  • April 17 - May 5, Woodcock Cove, Tennessee: Constructing a trail to connect the Dispensary and Stillhouse Walls with Southeastern Climbers Coalition.

  • May 15 - June 23, Red River Gorge, Kentucky: Building sustainable belay areas at Chaos Wall and Drive By in the Miller Fork Preserve with Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, plus a Regional Trail Skills Workshop.

  • June 12 - October 24, Rumney, New Hampshire: Rehabilitating climber access trails and staging areas at Main Wall and 5.8 Crag with the Appalachian Mountain Club, Rumney Climbers’ Association, and the White Mountain National Forest.

  • July 24 - August 11, Lovers Leap, California: Repairs to the Pony Express trail and Lower Buttress with Climbing Resource Advocates of Greater Sacramento, Bay Area Climbers Coalition, Tahoe Climbing Coalition, and the Eldorado National Forest.

  • August 14 - 17, Vent 5, Bay Area, California: Trail mapping to create sustainable access to Vent 5 as well as technical trail rehabilitation projects at Mount Tamalpais State Park, the Underworld in Castle Rock, and Indian Rocks Boulders with Bay Area Climbers Coalition.

  • August 21 - September 8, Index & Leavenworth, Washington: Improvements to the Colchuck Trail in the Enchantments and addressing rockfall at Index Lower Town Wall with Washington Climbers Coalition, Leavenworth Mountain Association, and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

  • September 18 - 22, Southwest Pennsylvania: Climbing Stewardship Workshop Level 1 with Southwestern Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition.

  • September 18 - October 31, Thumb Open Space, Colorado: Enhancing sustainable and adaptive access to Thumb Open Space with Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Conservation Corps.

  • October 4 - 29, Ralph Stover, Pennsylvania: Trail Skills Workshop Level 2 and improvements to climbing access at High Rocks Vista with Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers and Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.

  • November 1 - 3, Susquehanna Riverlands, Pennsylvania: Trail layout and construction to create sustainable access to climbing with South Central Pennsylvania Climbers. 

  • November 6 - 24, Arkansas: Completing a thorough site assessment and plan for sustainable climbing access throughout major climbing areas with Arkansas Climbers Coalition.

  • November 8 - 24, Indian Creek, Utah: Completing the Optimator Approach Trail and begin improvements to the Original Meat Wall with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps.

None of this work would be possible without the support of Access Fund members, donors, volunteers, and partners across the country. Thank you!

Special thanks to our partners at adidas TERREX, American Trails Grant, onX Backcountry, Athletic Brewing, Hest, La Sportiva, Osprey, YETI, Mystery Ranch, Rab, Trekroll, Rocky Talkie, and Sterling Ropes for sponsoring the Conservation Teams.