Risk. As a climber, you manage risk every time your feet leave the ground—the key is knowing your systems and your limits. But landowners and managers don’t always have in-depth knowledge of our sport. And the perception of risk associated with climbing is often overstated and misunderstood.
Landowners and managers don’t always know that there are systems in place to protect them from liability. But when climbers and landowners work together, risk and liability concerns are easily dispelled or managed.
Here at the Access Fund, we spend hundreds of hours each year working with private and public landowners on tools and strategies to mitigate both real and perceived risks of climbing—giving them the confidence and protections they need to open their land to public access.
When it comes to managing the risk associated with climbing, there are numerous layers of liability protections for landowners, including state recreational use statutes, case law, waiver systems, and other basic strategies.
Access agreements like recreational leases are another great tool for landowners who are considering opening their property to climbing. A typical access agreement sets up a temporary (but renewable) partnership between the landowner and a local climbing organization and incorporates risk management strategies, stewardship support, and basic climbing management practices.
If you’re a local climbing advocate and you want to learn more, visit our Advocate resource center. If you’re a landowner or manager, visit our Land Manager resource center.
Access Fund can help landowners and managers with viable options for public access that mitigate risk and liability. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss partnership opportunities.
None of the information on this site should be considered legal advice. The above information was not drafted by an attorney. This information is, in our experience, a set of best practices. However, it is not a substitute for qualified legal counsel. It is always advisable to consult a licensed attorney when developing your own risk management strategy.