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For over 20 years, the Access Fund has been recognizing the outstanding work of climbing advocates across the country. Among this year’s honorees are rockstar community builders, local climbing organizations, bolt warriors, climbing stewards, grassroots organizers, and visionary leaders.
The Access Fund proudly announces the recipients of the 2019 Climbing Advocate Awards. For over 20 years, Access Fund has been recognizing the outstanding work of climbing advocates across the country. Among this year’s honorees are rockstar community builders, local climbing organizations, bolt warriors, climbing stewards, grassroots organizers, and visionary leaders. These individuals and organizations stand out in their commitment to the American climbing community.
"Access Fund is honored to recognize Lookout Mountain Conservancy (LMC) and its Howard School interns for their critical role in opening The Boulders on Old Wauhatchie Pike in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With support and training from Access Fund–Jeep Conservation Teams, the Howard School interns led a four-year stewardship initiative to build trails, construct landing zones, install signs, and clear vegetation—helping to open a brand-new urban bouldering park just five minutes from downtown Chattanooga.
In addition to managing the day-to-day stewardship of this new bouldering park, the interns also discovered and unearthed a number of brand-new boulders that were completely hidden by vegetation, adding more quality bouldering opportunities to the park.
Thanks to LMC and the interns, the boulder field is now the most accessible climbing area in Chattanooga, free and open for the public to enjoy."
“We are honored to have been recognized for our partnership with the climbing and out-door community, noted Robyn Carlton, C.E.O. of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy. The Access Fund continues to serve as inspiration and mentors to our Howard School interns. Because of the hard work and teamwork, the community of Chattanooga has a first-rate climbing experience right in their backyard…”
