Metolius Partners with Access Fund to Preserve Climbing Areas

BEND, ORE. – Metolius, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in rock climbing gear and hardware, will team up with the Access Fund in 2010 to help protect threatened climbing areas from development and maintain access to multi-recreational areas.
The Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign (AFLCC) is the first-ever multimillion-dollar revolving loan program that provides local climbing organizations and other agencies with the funds and expertise needed to act quickly to save threatened climbing areas.

Metolius has earned a well-deserved reputation as a leading manufacturer and designer of quality and innovative climbing equipment that is Safer by Designâ„¢. Metolius will leverage this rock solid reputation in support of the Access Fund in 2010 through an innovative retail program to help create awareness for the Access Fund and its new Land Acquisition Program. By partnering with the Access Fund, Metolius expands its commitment to environmental preservation of recreation areas for current and future generations.

“Metolius has been an Access Fund Corporate Partner since our inception in 1991. Their support has been invaluable in our growth and has helped create programs like Adopt a Crag and TeamWorks that bring climbers together to take care of climbing areas across the country. Without companies like Metolius being part of our Corporate Partner Program, the Access Fund would not be in the position we are today. The many outdoor industry companies that support us help make our work possible,” said Jason Smith, Development Director with the Access Fund.

The campaign kicked off in January 2010 and involves a two-pronged approach to concurrently raise awareness and funds through the sale of Metolius’ Master Cams. Program one includes a co-branded Access Fund / Metolius hangtag to be secured to each and every Master Cam for sale at retail. The hangtag will introduce the Access Fund and briefly explain the new loan program.

The second component is an exclusive offer available only through Metolius’ website (www.metoliusclimbing.com). Customers purchasing Master Cams are given the option to donate a dollar or more to the cause. Metolius will then match any donation with a $1 contribution in support of the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign.
As a group of climbers who are passionate about protecting the environment and its recreational areas in which we all work and play, Metolius identifies this program as an opportunity to leverage their brand to promote the importance of access to the American climbing community. Due to private land pressures, access is the single greatest challenge facing the climbing world and its vertical environments.

“Metolius is very excited to see this incredible new loan program implemented in the coming months, it will make a real difference to climbers around the country!” said Brooke Sandahl, Vice President, Metolius Climbing.

Access Fund revenues have always been allocated to the acquisition and protection of threatened climbing areas, but the new AFLCC program will expand on this function by empowering local climbing organizations with the resources to dispute anti-climbing landowners and developers.

About Metolius
Founded in 1983 near the headwaters of the Metolius River, Metolius equipment was born out of respect for rock climbing. Metolius has since built a solid reputation as a leading designer and manufacturer of performance rock climbing equipment that is Safer by Design. Metolius has always focused on new and innovative rock climbing gear while ensuring the highest quality available. They’ve built a strong reputation as an innovator in the design of cutting-edge rock climbing gear. Metolius is proud to be able to claim innovations in just about every category of rock climbing gear from traditional, sport, bouldering and big wall/technical alpine. Metolius also works to educate others to preserve the environment and the climbing lifestyle. For more information, visit www.metoliusclimbing.com.

About the Access Fund
Since 1991, the Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 1.6 million climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and bouldering. Five core programs support the mission on national and local levels: climbing management policy, stewardship and conservation, local support and mobilization, land acquisition and protection, and education. For more information visit www.accessfund.org.