Greetings CCC Supporters,

At the CCC, our advocacy and policy work is a top priority as we aim to protect climbing in the Carolinas. Sometimes, these top priorities bring us to the top offices in America. This week, I will be traveling to Washington DC, meeting in the offices of our US Senators and Council Members, to move the needle forward on protections of Wilderness climbing. Our specific asks are centered around the EXPLORE Act, a bill which has passed the US House with Bi-Partisan support, but now needs to pass the US Senate to become law. Along with national organizations like the Outdoor Alliance and the Access Fund, I will be joining dozens of organizations in the Outdoor Alliance Grasstops Collective, each urging their lawmakers in their collective states to support Bills that will benefit conservation and recreation throughout the US. 

What’s at stake? In November 2023, the National Park System (NPS) and US Forest Service (USFS) issued draft national guidance that would prohibit fixed anchors (slings, pins, bolts, etc) in Wilderness Areas. Fixed anchors are a critical tool in Wilderness climbing, and have been used minimally, but critically, in nearly all of America’s Wilderness climbing areas. For us in North Carolina, judicious use of fixed anchors began in the 1950’s in Linville Gorge, predating the Wilderness Act of 1964. If this draft national guidance becomes law, several of our most beloved climbing areas like Short Off, Hawksbill, NC Wall, the Amphitheatre, the Underworld, Big Lost Cove, The Hole, the Gold Coast, and all the great crags between will be affected. What I see as most at risk are three things; 1). Our ability to maintain and replace rotting fixed anchors, 2.) First ascents for future generations of climbers, and 3). Climbers and climbing organizations turning sour on Wilderness designations, a keystone national designation which was co-founded and supported by climbers since 1964. Beyond NC, this draft national guidance on Wilderness climbing affects world-renown climbing areas like Yosemite, the Wind River Range, and so much more. 

National organizations like the Access Fund and Outdoor Alliance have been proactive in correcting the course of this draft national guidance via congressionally-approved legislation.  Thanks to YOUR support, I am honored to join several partnering organizations this week in DC, urging our lawmakers to support Wilderness climbing through this legislation. 

Will you join me in this advocacy work in support of America’s Wilderness climbing by asking President Biden to support Wilderness climbing? To couple our work in DC, The Access Fund has created a user-friendly tool for you to write to President Biden, urging him to have the USFS and NPS start over with a stakeholder-driven process that protects Wilderness character while protecting Wilderness climbing. Take one minute to fill out the petition.  Additionally, will you take two minutes to ask your senators to pass the EXPLORE Act while thanking your House Member for passing the EXPLORE Act?   

At the CCC, we are proud to serve as your voice for climbing in the Carolinas and beyond. Thank you for your past and future support!

Mike Reardon

CCC Executive Director