Today’s episode is a tribute to one of the most influential characters in the climbing community and the original climbing advocate: Armando Menocal. Armando was a civil rights lawyer turned climber and is known by many as the dedicated founder of Access Fund. He passed away in October 2024 at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. This episode is a short collection of words from some of his closest friends and colleagues honoring his memory.
Armando’s experience and leadership as a civil rights lawyer representing underserved communities translated well to advocating for climbing access on public lands amid fierce controversy during the rise of sport climbing in the ‘80s and ‘90s. His vision for an inclusive climbing community—embracing all styles, including sport climbing and fixed hardware—helped shape the landscape we enjoy today and contributed to the recent passage of the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act.
Enjoy this heart-warming episode celebrating Armando’s kindness and his vision for the future of climbing. Thank you to Brady Robinson, Rick Accomazzo, Allen Sanderson, David Rosenstein, Kika Bradford, and Rick Thompson for contributing to this episode.
Brady Robinson- 3:20
Rick Accomazzo- 27:54
David Rosenstein- 31:40
Allen Sanderson- 34:41
Kika Bradford- 38:57
Rick Thompson- 44:43
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Today’s episode is a tribute to one of the most influential characters in the climbing community and the original climbing advocate: Armando Menocal. Armando was a civil rights lawyer turned climber and is known by many as the dedicated founder of Access Fund. He passed away in October 2024 at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. This episode is a short collection of words from some of his closest friends and colleagues honoring his memory.
Armando’s experience and leadership as a civil rights lawyer representing underserved communities translated well to advocating for climbing access on public lands amid fierce controversy during the rise of sport climbing in the ‘80s and ‘90s. His vision for an inclusive climbing community—embracing all styles, including sport climbing and fixed hardware—helped shape the landscape we enjoy today and contributed to the recent passage of the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act.
Enjoy this heart-warming episode celebrating Armando’s kindness and his vision for the future of climbing. Thank you to Brady Robinson, Rick Accomazzo, Allen Sanderson, David Rosenstein, Kika Bradford, and Rick Thompson for contributing to this episode.
Brady Robinson- 3:20
Rick Accomazzo- 27:54
David Rosenstein- 31:40
Allen Sanderson- 34:41
Kika Bradford- 38:57
Rick Thompson- 44:43
This month, we're joined by Access Fund Southeast Regional Manager Daniel Dunn. Daniel has a unique perspective to share, thanks to his work with the Boulder Climbing Community and Front Range Climbing Stewards. We discuss his new role with Access Fund and his dedication to stewardship.
Now working regionally, Daniel collaborates with local climbing organizations, land managers, and other partners to advocate for climbing in the Southeast. We discuss what it takes to run a successful stewardship and anchor replacement program, climbing access and management differences in the Eastern and Western United States, opportunities for climbing conservation in the Southeast, and some of the major projects on his plate.
Listen in to hear more about Daniel’s career in stewardship and the latest happenings in the Southeast.
5:28 - Daniel’s intro
12:20 - Stewardship beginnings
20:13 - Anchor Replacement Program
28:27 - Retrofitting climbing areas
34:18 - What makes a successful stewardship program
39:04 - Agreements with land managers
41:17 - Southeast Regional Manager
47:45 - Rural climbing opportunities in Appalachia
52:34 - Climbing management in the eastern and western U.S.
57:31 - New acquisition in North Carolina
1:00:31 - Climbing Conservation Loan Program
1:02:38 - Other conservation opportunities in the Southeast
1:05:52 - Access Fund’s 2022 Annual Conference
Annual Conference details and registration: https://www.accessfund.org/pages/advocacy-conference-2022
Boulder Climbing Community: https://www.boulderclimbers.org/
Front Range Climbing Stewards: https://www.boulderclimbers.org/trails
Carolina Climbers Coalition: https://carolinaclimbers.org/
The Maibauer Boulders acquisition: https://www.accessfund.org/news-and-events/news/climbers-buy-new-boulder-field-in-north-carolina
The Climbing Advocate
Today’s episode is a tribute to one of the most influential characters in the climbing community and the original climbing advocate: Armando Menocal. Armando was a civil rights lawyer turned climber and is known by many as the dedicated founder of Access Fund. He passed away in October 2024 at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. This episode is a short collection of words from some of his closest friends and colleagues honoring his memory.
Armando’s experience and leadership as a civil rights lawyer representing underserved communities translated well to advocating for climbing access on public lands amid fierce controversy during the rise of sport climbing in the ‘80s and ‘90s. His vision for an inclusive climbing community—embracing all styles, including sport climbing and fixed hardware—helped shape the landscape we enjoy today and contributed to the recent passage of the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act.
Enjoy this heart-warming episode celebrating Armando’s kindness and his vision for the future of climbing. Thank you to Brady Robinson, Rick Accomazzo, Allen Sanderson, David Rosenstein, Kika Bradford, and Rick Thompson for contributing to this episode.
Brady Robinson- 3:20
Rick Accomazzo- 27:54
David Rosenstein- 31:40
Allen Sanderson- 34:41
Kika Bradford- 38:57
Rick Thompson- 44:43
