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North Shore Style 2009

Access Fund

A big part of this year's competition is the Access Fund. During the past four competitions we were able to raise over $7000 in donations. As a result the name "North Shore Style" has made its way through the ranks of Access Fund. Many regional coordinators know about our event and what we are capable of doing for Access Fund.

One of the things that makes Access Fund great is that you can see exactly where your donations are going. Many climbers in the Duluth area know about the difficulties there have been between the climbers and the private land owner near Ely's Peak. I mentioned this last year on the website and I want to again this year. The Access Fund gave out a $4000 grant to help in the creation of a new parking lot for Ely's Peak climbers. Here is why this parking lot is a good thing:

  • Made specifically for climbersRibbon Cut
  • Parking lot and trail leading to Ely's Peak are both on public land (not privately owned)
  • The hike in is actually shorter than is was before!

Here are some of the things that Access Fund has done here in Minnesota:

  • The Access Fund is a fantastic organization because not only is their goal to keep you climbing outdoors, you can actually see your doantions at work.

  • Facilitated discussion between local climbers regarding working with rangers at Blue Mounds, Minnesota State Park to eradicate non-native invasive plant species that are covering climbing resources and access trails (2006)
  • Regional coordinator work: Minnesota: hosted a regional climbers meeting to discuss access issues; working to maintain MN Climbers Association; working to address access and trail issues at Elys Peak; organizing clean-ups. (2004)
  • Provided guidance to climbers from: Minnesota Climbers Association including providing a support letter and climbing management documents to reopen presently closed climbing areas. (2004)
  • Provided a $1,000 grant to the grassroots climber advocacy group, the Minnesota Climbers Association. The group will represent climbers in the region and provide a forum for communication between government officials and climbers. (2002)

Over the past four years, we have raised over $7000 for the Access Fund. Let's keep it going!

 
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