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History

Carolina Climbers Coalition

Protect, preserve, and expand climbing opportunities in the Carolinas

The Carolina Climber's Coalition was established January 16, 1995 with the purposes of preserving the natural environment, promoting safe climbing practices and preserving climber's access to climbing areas in North and South Carolina. Bill Webster, the first Chair for the CCC answered the most common question from climbers in the Carolinas during the summer of 1995: "What exactly is the Carolina Climber's Coalition?"

"The Coalition was created as a result of a rumor that spread throughout North Carolina in 1994 that NC State Parks would close climbing access. State park officials and climbers met in Charlotte and determined that a park closure was not planned and that a coalition would best serve the interests of both climbers and park officials. In January 1995 almost 100 area climbers voted unanimously to create the coalition to help preserve climbing access in the Carolinas."

Since 1995, the Carolina Climbers Coalition has grown and expanded. Today the CCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. We still hold onto the motto, preserving protecting and expanding your climbing opportunities, but that has taken new meaning. In 2005 Sean Cobourn, then president, and Jon Myers got wind of the opportunity to purchase one of the largest cliffs in the Southeast, Laurel Knob. With overwhelming community and industry support, the CCC made an offer to purchase the cliff.

The purchase of Laurel Knob transformed the the CCC from grassroots organization to landowners, land managers and advocates. This change allows us to be part of a growing movement of organizations that are truly preserving and expanding your climbing opportunities. We continue to work with local, state and federal organizations to help preserve and protect our climbing privileges.

The board of the CCC is composed of 13 volunteer members. Board members are elected to 3 year terms during the fall meeting and officer positions are limited to 2 consecutive terms. Area representatives serve as liasons between the board, climbers and land managers. We host an annual public meetings in the Fall / Winter of each year, usually the Friday night before the Hound Ears bouldering competition.

We hope you will support this cause through your continued support of the CCC.