About The Access Society

The Access Society represents everyone who supports public access to the cliffs and mountains of B.C., and conservation of them. It was founded in 1995. We encourage anyone who supports our goals, particularly all climbers and mountaineers, to become involved, and support our work.

Become a member, make a donation, learn about the issues, encourage your friends to get involved, and volunteer!

The Access Society works on climbing issues as they relate to:

  1. Management of parks, and of public lands outside parks.
  2. Real and perceived environmental impacts, and their management.
  3. Access to undeveloped private land, and related legal issues.
  4. Conflicting recreational, commercial and industrial users.
  5. Arbitrary or unreasonable use fees.
  6. Ensuring that those supporting public access to our mountains and cliffs are represented by a single, effective, inclusive body - the Access Society.

Access Society Successes

Advocacy & Planning

  • Worked with B.C Government to establish the climbing area of Chek and the Eldred Campground as Desginated Recreation Sites (2011/2012)
  • Skaha – Sustained effort on fundraising for a Skaha solution, working with The Land Conservancy of B.C. Contributed $10,000 directly, generated substantial individual donations, and corporate donations of several hundred thousand dollars. Worked with Skaha rockclimbers and TLC on plans for new access. Supported Skaha rockclimbers in participation in Okanagan Land & Resource Management Plan, resulting in recommendation of park status (1995 - 2000). Support for advocacy of Penticton council in 1996 and 1997, for needed permits. Advocated continued opening of Braesyde, with Penticton Council (1996, 1997).
  • Stawamus Chief Provincial Park – Led successful opposition to proposed tourist gondola to second summit (2004), and then helped TLC with acquisition of strategic land, and fundraising. Rock Climbing Strategy (1997-99), Master Plan (1995-97), and park creation (1995).
  • Little Smoke Bluffs – Participated in planning team, leading to creation of park management body (2004 – 2007), with active participation of climbers, including the Access Society. Various issues, including new parking lot (1996), code of conduct (1996-97), and Alexis (2001-03).
  • Eldred Valley (Powell River) – Supported local climbers in discussions with Forest Service and others, regarding campground, access, trails, and mini-hydro development.
  • Lower Malamute (Squamish) – Report on access options.
  • Upper Malamute (Squamish) – Ongoing advocacy which led to it being incorporated into the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
  • Fleming Beach (Victoria) – Climbing management plan (1996-ongoing), and fundraising for needed seawall work (1996). Support south Island climbers in access-related discussions with governments, private landowners.
  • Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project – Recreation Focus Group (2003 - 2009), and report on alternatives at Murrin Park.
  • Culliton-Cheakamus Highway Project – Impacts (2003 – 04), Rogues Gallery geotechnical study (2004).
  • Crest Crags – Support the Heathens, a Campbell River club, in their work at this key north Island area.
  • Horne Lake – meeting with cottage owners, discussion with governments (1999 – on-going).
  • Cougar Canyon (Vernon) – Helping organize climbers, and meeting with Parks and others (2004).

Projects & Adopt-a-Crags

The total is now well over 50 events around B.C. since 2001, involving thousands of volunteer days. And a lot of fun.

  • Cat Lake - approach trail and belay area improvements (2011)
  • Area 44 - approach trail and belay area improvements (2011)
  • Petrifying Wall - vegetation work to widen trails and belay areas (2011)
  • North Walls/Grandwall (Squamish) – Trail work on the North Walls trails, GrandWall base trail and Apron trail. (2010)
  • Mount Slesse (Chilliwack) – Crossover Path Descent trail (2010)
  • Hall Siding (Nelson) – sponsored TAWKROC for crag & trail work (2010)
  • Rogue’s Gallery (Squamish/Whistler) – Erosion work and trail maintenance. (2009)
  • Nanaimo River (Nanaimo) – Trail work at “The Sunny Side” (2008)
  • Papoose (Squamish) – Construction of new access trail (2006).
  • Conroy Creek/Cheak – Road work, installation of toilet, notice board, and trail work (2005 and 2006).
  • Crest Crags – Funding for work tools (1996), trail work and construction of parking and toilet (2004 - 2006). In partnership with The Heathens.
  • Cougar Canyon – Toilet and notice board construction (2005).
  • Gorge (Cheakamus Canyon) – Trail, debris restoration work (2005).
  • Patrol-a-Crag (2003, Squamish) – A volunteer patrol program during forest fire closures allowed the Stawamus Chief to remain open to climbing, when all other areas were closed.
  • Skaha – Construction of composting toilet and two other toilets (2000), two further toilets (2003), signage (2003), and regular trail work and toilet maintenance (2000 - ).
  • Little Smoke Bluffs – Toilet construction (1996), support for parking lot construction (1996).
  • Fleming Beach – Seawall widening project (1996).
  • Numerous smaller projects throughout B.C.

Organizational

  • Incorporated society (1995), with over 300 members.
  • Registered charity (2004).
  • Directors from all regions of B.C.
  • Solid network of affiliated local climbers' organizations around B.C. – Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Squamish, Penticton, Vernon and elsewhere.
  • Informative publications – Access News (newsletter), website, broadcast e-mails.
  • Financially sound, with solid support from climbing-related clubs and businesses in Canada and the U.S.
  • Strong links to related organizations, e.g. the Access Fund, as well as through industry networking, e.g. at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City.

Current Board

© 2013 Climbers' Access Society of British Columbia