On today’s episode, we host two conversations to recap Access Fund’s 2023 Annual Climbing Advocacy Conference in Bentonville, Arkansas. First with Dave Thompson, president of the Arkansas Climbers Coalition, and then with Crystal Hudelson and Keith Murakata with Climbers of Color.
Dave shares insight into how the explosion of tourism in Arkansas has garnered support for climbing among land managers at the state and federal level and for future conservation opportunities. Dave says that Arkansas is a great stop along the way while traveling through the southeast, but it may not be long before Arkansas is seen as a major hub for climbing and recreation across the U.S.
Crystal and Keith attended the conference to receive their 2022 Climbing Advocate Award for their exemplary work in lifting up leaders of color in the outdoor industry with Climbers of Color (CoC). The CoC is a Washington-based nonprofit that provides mentorship and technical training in climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing. Additionally, the CoC is deeply invested in conservation and stewardship work at their local climbing areas, working on crag development, rebolting, and trail building.
Tune in to hear more about climbing in Arkansas and how climbers continue to demonstrate leadership in training folks to not only be better climbers, but better people.
Dave Thompson
4:15 - Dave Thompson’s intro
5:43- Dave’s experience at the 2023 Annual Conference
9:09- The Arkansas Climbers Coalition
18:28- Models for conservation
20:27- Explosion of tourism in Arkansas
30:45- Economic impact study
37:27- Future of the ARCC
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Crystal Hudelson and Keith Murakata
41:30- Crystal’s intro
42:51- Keith’s intro
44:59- Experience at the 2023 Annual Conference
50:18- Land acknowledgement vs. land introduction
52:57- Climbers of Color
59:10- Gritscone Crag maintenance
1:08:17- Future Gritscone stewardship opportunities
Show Links
Arkansas Climber Coalition website: https://www.arkansasclimbers.org
ARCC’s Instagram: @arkansasclimberscoalition
Become an ARCC member: https://www.arkansasclimbers.org/join-now
Climbers of Color website: https://www.climbersofcolor.org
CoC’s Instagram: @climbersofcolor
Crystal’s Instagram: @aroseontherock
CoC Events: https://www.climbersofcolor.org/events