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American Alpine Club - Campaign for Climbers
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Campaign for Climbers
Letter From The Chair
I became interested in climbing while I was growing up in South Carolina in
the 1950s and 1960s. My biggest challenge was that I really didn’t know anyone else
who shared my interest. But in 1972, I moved to Seattle and immediately met people
like Steve Swenson and Todd Bibler, and I found myself embedded in a climbing
community. This community has played a key role in my climbing and my life in general.
In fact, my business career was based on bonds developed through climbing. I spent 30
years working with friends, but I spent most of my time on my business with only the
occasional time off for climbing. Now that I have closed that career, I spend more time
climbing with an expanding community, and I feel compelled to give time and money to
enrich this community and help others.
We all have different personal reasons for our interest in climbing, but most of us have
gained much from our climbing community. The American Alpine Club is dedicated to
the mission of building and broadening the climbing community. We see a community
that is demographically much broader than what many of us experienced. We believe
that such a community will enhance our
lives, make stronger individuals, improve
our country, and protect our natural
climbing areas.
Please join me in supporting The Campaign
for Climbers so that we can continue to
build this rich community and preserve our
history.
Best regards,
Doug Walker
Campaign Chair
Yvon Chouinard Honorary Chair
Douglas Walker Campaign Chair
Glenn PorzakFront Range Chair
Mark RicheyNortheast Chair
Steve SwensonNorthwest Chair
Jack TackleTetons Chair
Cover: Galen Rowell - Peter Croft at Dawn on Grand Traverse of Evolution Peaks, High Sierra, CA, USA This page: Jeff Widen - Doug Walker on Belay
Established in 1902 by the nation’s leading climbers and conservationists, including Charles E. Fay and John Muir.
The AAC evolved from a social club for elite adventurer located on the
East Coast to a more than 8,000-Member strong, regionally-focused
organization. We advocate for American climbers domestically and
around the world; provide grants and volunteer opportunities to
protect and conserve the places we climb; host local and national climbing festivals and events; publish
two of the world’s most sought-after climbing annuals; care for the world’s leading climbing library and
country’s leading mountaineering museum; manage an ever growing lodging network for climbers;
and, annually give $80,000+ toward climbing, conservation, and research grants to inspire and support
adventurers who travel the world.
The AAC actively participates in domestic and international dialog about environmental policy, high
altitude safety and medicine, innovation in alpine tools, clothing and survival technologies, sponsors
expeditions, and investigates controversies in the world of exploration.
The AAC has become the organization for all climbers - alpinists, boulderers and every elevation in between.
Meeting tomorrow’s challenges, the AAC is changing what we do. But our foundation will never change
– we will always hold fast to our values of Fortitude, Partnership, Creativity and Independence, and
Stewardship. We will continue to be that place of support and inspiration for the young and the old, for
those who climb all the time, and those who get out just as much as they can. We will always be inspired
by the achievements of Club Members who explored the unexplored and pushed the boundaries of what
was possible - the men and women who built the tradition of excellence that inspires climbers today and
is at the core of what the AAC is all about.
Robert Hyman - Jim Donini and Jack Tackle Andrew Kaufman Collection, Courtesy of the AAC Library - 1958 Hidden Peak Expedition
As the nation’s oldest and most prominent climbing organization, we are compelled to regularly
evaluate our position, our plan and our relevancy. We recently stepped forward and asked our
Members and fellow climbers:
If you could build The American Alpine Club from the ground up today, what would America’s national climbing organization look like?
We listened, we investigated and we went to work. With the path and goals set by our five-year
Strategic Plan, we are putting into action the new ideas and improvements most important to the
climbing community, including:
� Delivering a member benefit program with extraordinary value;
� Restructuring our programs to serve more locally;
� Regaining leadership position as a comprehensive climbing information resource;
� Employing grants to inspire climbers and conserve the places we climb;
� Providing important infrastructure at climbing destinations; and,
� Protecting and preserving our climbing legacy, history, and literature.
This broad, proactive initiative is being implemented by our extensive network of volunteers,
Club officials, Board members and our Membership at large.
Sufficient financial resources are required to ensure effective change and secure our future. The
comprehensive Campaign for Climbers goal in $5.7 million; funding the following key projects and
programs critical to our future.
Andrew Burr - Christine Balaz and Zac Robinson exploring the boulders of Wadi Rum, Jordan
Members and non-Members alike have asked to experience the AAC on a more local level.
Climbing is a community endeavor at its heart. Our
climbing partners, nearby crags and favorite rock gyms
are local, and they are what make each community
unique. The AAC will deliver events, conservation
action, and advocacy through empowered local
chapters. The AAC’s national office is now a resource
for advice, expertise, and financial support. We are also
simultaneously improving the Membership benefit to
attract and build interest in the AAC at the local level.
Campaign funding for Members will be dedicated to
the following initiatives:
� Build a regional IT infrastructure including section
websites and local partner-finders.
� Enhance rescue services and insurance for
Members
� Provide staff support, events and programs
regionally
� Modernize the AAC website and user tools
Investment: $500,000
MembersStrategic Improvements that build our capacity to deliver better benefits and a more local feel
Andrew Burr - Brittany Griffith Menno Boermans – Heli in front of Matterhorn
PlacesCampgrounds, Huts and Lodging
Climbers from around the world told us they value a great place to meet, congregate, and learn from one another.
To further inspire, support, and care for the climbing community, it is essential
to continue the construction and maintenance of our campgrounds, huts and lodging
programs. This major Membership benefit can be cared for at the local level.
Examples of new lodging projects (some are underway):
� The Gunks Campground, New York
� Front Range Hostel, Colorado
� New River Gorge Campground, West Virginia
� Hueco Rock Ranch, Texas
Proposed program improvements:
� Provide Critical Improvements at the Grand Teton Climbers Ranch
� Implement a Modern Reservation System for all AAC Assets
� Provide a Maintenance Endowment for all Club lodging properties
Investment: $1,500,000
Andrew Burr Burr - Sonnie Trotter, Iconoclast, 5.13a, Saddle Rocks, Joshua Tree, CA, USA Robert Hyman - Grand Teton Climbers Ranch Andrew Burr
LegacySustaining and Modernizing Legacy Assets The Henry S. Hall, Jr. American Alpine Club Library
Our legacy, our dreams, knowledge and accomplishments, are also our future.
The AAC is committed to preserving climbing’s history
in our archives, world-renowned climbing library and
online. We have the opportunity to safeguard these assets
well into the future through a combination of capital
improvements and endowments.
Current and proposed projects:
� Digitization of maps, climbing topos, and photos
� Cataloging our Rare Collections
� Increasing the Library Endowment to sustain this
important institution into the future
Investment: $1,200,000
Andrew Burr - Jasmin Caton on Split Beaver, Squamish, BC, Canada Beth Heller Courtesy of The American Alpine Club Library -
The remarkable places we climb define the very heart of the AAC, and protecting these natural treasures is something we have done since 1902.
Early AAC leaders like John Muir, modern ones like Yvon Chouinard,
and local climbing communities across the nation have stepped
forward to protect iconic climbing areas. The AAC’s leadership in
protecting access and continuing preservation is a substantive,
physical way to ensure the future of climbing locally and globally.
Campaign funding will support the AAC’s Cornerstone
Conservation Grant Grants, a key conservation initiative. These
grants fund essential infrastructure at climbing areas. Individuals
or communities that see a need for local infrastructure can propose
projects that will improve, conserve, and protect their climbing
resources for years to come.
This annual $25,000 grant supports projects such as:
� Fixed anchor improvement
� New trails
� Human waste management solutions
� Parking
� Signage
Investment: $300,000
ConservationBuilding Our Capacity to Protect the Places We Climb
Andrew Burr - Peter Vintoniv in the Lone Peak Wilderness, Utah, USA Ellen Lapham
The AAC has long advanced the art, developed leaders, and solidified our legacy through support to climbers.
The AAC has a heralded history of awarding climbing and
conservation grants. They serve as jump-starts for aspiring
climbers en route to new projects and careers. As a result, many
of our grant recipients continue to protect, participate in, and
preserve the climbing way of life. Through a combination of
endowed and annually-funded grants, we will ensure that the
Club continues this important tradition.
American Alpine Club Grants:Mountain Fellowship Grant
Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award
Zach Martin Breaking Barriers Grant
Lara-Karena Bitenieks Kellogg Memorial Conservation Grant
Scott Fischer Memorial Conservation Fund
Nikwax Alpine Bellwether Grant
Research Grants
Copp-Dash Inspire Award
McNeill-Nott Award
Rowell Award for the Art of Adventure
John L. Horn International Sport Climbing Grant
Investment: $450,000 to grow the program.
GrantsInspiring and Supporting Climbers
Andrew Burr - Erik Kelly on Dairyland, WI5, Painted Rocks National Lake Shore, Michigan, USA
Funding AllocationsCategory Project Amount
Members EnhanceRescueServiceandInsurance $150,000 RegionalCoordinators $250,000 AnnualChapterGathering&RegionalEvents $50,000 ModernizeMainWebsite $50,000
Places NewLodgingProjects $1,000,000 GrandTetonClimbersRanchImprovements $100,000 GTCRMaintenanceEndowment $350,000 ModernReservationSystem $50,000
Legacy DigitizeAACLibrarymaps,topos,photos $100,000 CatalogRareCollections $100,000 LibraryEndowment $1,000,000
Conservation CornerstoneGrants $300,000
Grants $450,000 MountainFellowshipGrant LymanSpitzerCuttingEdgeAward ZachMartinBreakingBarriersGrant Lara-KarenaBitenieksKelloggMemorialConservationGrant ScottFischerMemorialConservationFund NikwaxAlpineBellwetherGrant ResearchGrants Copp-DashInspireAward McNeill-NottAward RowellAwardfortheArtofAdventure JohnL.HornInternationalSportClimbingGrant
Continuing Programs $1,420,000 AACLibrary GrandTetonClimbersRanch AmericanAlpineJournal AccidentsinNorthAmericanMountaineering ConservationSupport ClimbingGrants IndustryPartners
Campaign Expenses $330,000
CAmPAigngoAl $5,700,000
Giving Opportunities
Gifts of $5,000 and greater will
be acknowledged on the American Alpine
Club website throughout the campaign.
Gifts of $25,000 or greater will
be acknowledged in the 2013 and 2014
editions of the American Alpine Journal.
Gifts of $100,000 and greater will
be acknowledged on a permanent plaque
at The Henry S. Hall American Alpine Club
Library, and the various AAC locations
made possible by the Campaign for
Climbers; possibly including:
� Front Range Hostel
� New River Gorge Campground
� Hueco Rock Ranch
Andrew Burr - Peter Vintoniv, City Slave, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, USA
American Alpine ClubBoard of Directors
Charlie Sassara, President • Mark Kroese, Vice President
Doug Walker, Secretary • Paul Gagner, Treasurer
Brad Brooks • Doug Colwell • Matt Culberson • Karen Daubert
Ken Ehrhart • Clark Gerhardt • John Heilprin • Mary Hsue
Jim Logan • George Lowe III • David Riggs • Rebecca Schild
Cody Smith • Travis Spitzer