Each year the Access Fund recognizes individuals and businesses who volunteer their efforts and shine above the rest in their commitment and work on behalf of the American climbing community. This year’s awards and recipients are:

Sharp End Award
For leadership and activism in conserving climbing access and the climbing environment.

John Anderson
John is the founder of Access New Jersey, a statewide climbing advocacy group. John is also a volunteer regional coordinator for the Access Fund. John was successful in getting the state of NJ to amend their administrative code to allow climbing in state parks, and he has been working to expand climbing access in NJ by removing unnecessary regulations.

Bennett Barthelemy
Founder, organizer and leader of the Bigfoot Country Climbers Association in Northern California, Bennett has represented climber interests on National Park Service land in Redwood, US Forest Service land at Natural Bridge (Hayfork District), county parks (Moonstone Beach), and other public lands with tribal concerns (Natural Bridge, Lost Rocks, etc). Bennett is an effective and dedicated climbing activist who works to educate the local climbing community regardng sensitive sacred site issues on public lands.

Keith Daellenbach
Keith is a director with the Madrone Wall Preservation Committee, a non-profit organization dedicated to the long-term preservation of Madrone Wall for the enjoyment of future generations. Keith was instrumental in forming the organization, and has provided years of tireless leadership in the ongoing effort to protect this outstanding recreational resource in northwest Oregon.

Mike Lanza
Mike is a director with the Boise Climbers Alliance, a climbing advocacy group based in Boise, Idaho. In that capacity, he has provided inspirational leadership for the Boise climbing community for many years. Mike was also a volunteer regional coordinator for the Access Fund, and was instrumental in organizing numerous stewardship projects at the Black Cliffs.

Metolius
Metolius is recognized for its contributions of staff time, resources and financial support to our advocacy work. Encouragement of Metolius staff to get involved through direct advocacy and Metolius’ own efforts on behalf of the American climbing community are outstanding. Examples include donations of catalog pages to communicate about the boulderProject and other access and conservation issues, direct involvement with activist forums, help in constructing messaging, and communication outreach on Metolius products to mentor boulderers in stewardship and conservation.

Patagonia
Patagonia began its support of our mission in 1990 with initial organizational seed money from Yvon Chouinard. Their exemplary support continues with the encouragement of Patagonia ambassadors to get involved and work with the Access Fund, opportunities at dealer camps for Access Fund staff to engage retailers who communicate everyday with the greater public, and financial support for all our advocacy work -- most recently to help with our fight against a land exchange in Arizona that would give precious public lands to an international mining company -- underscores the significance of their contributions.

Chris Sharma, Josh and Brett Lowell
Chris, Josh, and Brett, of Big Up Productions created a 30 second film short featuring Chris bouldering in a pristine environment, ticking a first ascent, and discussing the need for conservation. Additionally, Big Up donated an image used in collateral and have been instrumental in helping shape the boulderProject’s messaging. Through their outstanding commitment in volunteering their time and talent, the boulderProject is educating climbers, uniting the climbing community, and bringing the mission of the Access Fund to new climbers.

Land Manager of The Year
Given to a professional resource manager who has demonstrated a commitment to conserving climbing opportunities and a progressive approach to public lands management.

Lincoln Else, Climbing Ranger Yosemite National Park
This summer Lincoln developed a grant proposal to fund climber bear boxes for Yosemite Valley. These boxes allow climbers’ food and gear to remain protected while spending time on the big walls of Yosemite. He is instrumental in outreach efforts between the NPS in Yosemite and the climbing community (e.g., Sunday morning coffee hour) and spearheaded the country’s largest Adopt-a-Crag this fall- The Yosemite Valley Facelift 2005 which removed 3 ½ tons of garbage from Yosemite NP. Lincoln has been influential in bringing the Access Fund and the American Alpine Club into NPS planning decisions and processes and played the key role in enhancing the relationship between climbers and NPS rangers in Yosemite.

Reese Martin Memorial Award Regional Coordinator Of The Year
For leadership and activism in conserving climbing access and the climbing environment, and specifically for their volunteer work as an Access Fund representative.

Sean Coburn
Sean has contributed significant efforts in the purchase of private lands to open access to climbing and protect these climbing resources from development and permanent closure. Rumbling Bald will become a State Park in North Carolina because of the coalition building and negotiations spearheaded by Sean. Laurel Knob, the largest (over 1,000 ft high) piece of granite east of the Mississippi, will now be open to climbing again thanks to Sean and the coalition he has put in place.

The Bebie Leadership Award
Presented to America’s outstanding activist(s) for the cause of conserving climbing access and the climbing environment.

Curt Shannon
Curt is a founding member and dedicated spokesperson for the Friends of Queen Creek and is always available while balancing family life and a demanding day job. He has donated hundreds of hours of volunteer time including two trips to Washington, DC lobbying Congress on the Southeastern Arizona Land Exchange Act of 2005, organizing local activists in letter writing campaigns and political strategy, meeting with Resolution Copper Company as a local representative in negotiations for Oak Flat and Queen Creek access and much more than we can encapsulate here.

Menocal Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented periodically to individuals who have demonstrated remarkable commitment to the cause of conserving climbing access and the climbing environment, and who have contributed substantially to the progress of the Access Fund over many years.

David Rosenstein
Dave has been involved with climbing access and conservation issues and the Access Fund itself since its formation. Over these 15 years Dave has provided countless hours of volunteer time both organizing climbers to be effective advocates and directly advocating on many issues. Examples of his successes include: obtaining funding for the Mohonk Trust to allow for the purchase of additional climbing resources and his significant work to open Minnewaska State Park (NY) to climbing. His work as a volunteer for the Access Fund goes from being a regional coordinator, to action committee chair, Board member and Board president. Dave has truly devoted his life to climbing and embodies the spirit of this award.

Above & Beyond Awards
For volunteerism and support in conserving climbing access and the climbing environment

Dave Gentry
Dave spends more time volunteering on projects in support of the American climbing community than any other person we know. With out prompting and on a regular basis Dave will tackle a myriad of tasks, many of which would go undone without his help. His selfless devotion benefits all of us and his unassuming nature is one to look up to.

Roger Linfield
Roger has been a member of the Access Fund since its inception and has, annually, made a significant personal investment in furthering the mission of the Access Fund. As a volunteer Roger put in many hours to review and revise our most current Raptor Manual which is distributed to land managers across the country. Additionally, Roger authored our 2005 Spring appeal in support of our core programs. We are grateful to Roger's 15+ years of service to the Access Fund.