10/16/2017
Access Fund and The American Alpine Club are pleased to announce the 2017 Anchor Replacement Fund grant awards. Now in its third year, the grant program was launched to address the growing concerns of anchor failure and the access issues that could result from these incidents. This year, we are thrilled to announce $10,000 in funding for eight worthy anchor replacement projects across the country. This program is made possible by the generous support of Five Ten and Petzl.
© Craig Hoffman Photography
Sam’s
Throne Anchor Replacement, AR - Arkansas Climbers Coalition
Arkansas Climbers Coalition (ARCC) was awarded
funding to replace fixed anchors at Sam’s Throne in Northern Arkansas. ARCC’s
volunteers will use the grant funds to replace old hardware and retire tree
anchors to preserve and protect the cliff top environment. ARCC is a longtime Access
Fund Affiliate and a grassroots climbing non-profit working to steward and
protect Arkansas climbing.
Wichita
Mountains Anchor Replacment, OK – Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition
Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition (WMCC) was
awarded funding to replace aging fixed anchors in the Wichita Mountains of
Oklahoma, including Quartz Mountain, Mt. Scott, The Narrows, Elk Mountain, The
Meadows, Echo Dome, and Lost Dome. The existing hardware was installed 30-40
years ago and includes many Leeper and SMC hangers. This effort will be the
largest anchor replacement project undertaken in the Wichitas to date.
Lost Crag,
PA - Southwest Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition
Southwest Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition (SWPACC)
was awarded funding to replace aging bolts and top-anchors at Lost Crag in Southwest
Pennsylvania, using long-lasting glue-in bolts. SWPACC is an Access Fund
Affiliate and local climbing organization that leads stewardship and protection
of crags and boulder fields in Southwest Pennsylvania.
Hidden
Cliff/Skunk Cave, ID - Southern Idaho Climbers Coalition
Southern Idaho Climbers Coalition (SICC) was
awarded funding to replace aging fixed anchors at Hidden Cliff/Skunk Cave
climbing area. SICC will upgrade routes with bomber, long-lasting ½” stainless
steel bolts and hardware. SICC is an Access Fund Affiliate local climbing
organization working to protect climbing areas in the Twin Falls area.
Tierrany
Wall, TN - East Tennessee Climbers’ Coalition
East Tennessee Climbers’ Coalition (ETCC) was awarded funding to replace outdated bolts at the Tierrany Wall, located inside the Obed National Wild and Scenic River
area. ETTCC is an Access Fund Affiliate local climbing organization working to
steward and protect East Tennessee climbing resources.
Bolton
Valley, Smuggler’s Notch, and Wheeler Valley, VT - CRAG- VT
CRAG-VT was awarded funding to replace aging fixed
anchors in the Bolton Valley, Smuggler’s Notch, and Wheeler Mountain areas.
Many bolts at these areas have been found to be unsuitable for the rock type
and have corroded. CRAG-VT will replace these bolts with stainless steel
hardware that is suitable for the rock type. CRAG-VT is an Access Fund
Affiliate local climbing organization focusing on protecting climbing resources
in Vermont.
Castle
Rock State Park, CA - Bay Area Climbers Coalition
Bay Area Climbers Coalition (BACC) was awarded
funding to upgrade aging hardware at Castle Rock State Park in California’s
South Bay, replacing old button head bolts with stainless steel glue-in anchors
and hardware. BACC is an Access Fund Affiliate local climbing organization focused
on climbing advocacy and stewardship in the California Bay Area.
Stone Hill,
MT - North West Montana Climbers Coalition
North West Montana Climbers Coalition (NWMCC) was
awarded funding to replace old hardware at the Stone Hill climbing area in
Northwest Montana. In many cases these bolts are over 30 years old and in dire
need for replacement. NWMCC is a new local climbing organization that recenlty attained
501(c)3 status and is seeking to further it’s engagement in climbing access and conservation work in Northwest Montana.