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
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Kris Hampton of Power Company Climbing and Josie McKee of the Central Wyoming Climbers Alliance. Together with these Lander locals, we discuss what it means to be a better climber. Being a better climber goes beyond improving at climbing and includes our social and environmental impacts. Kris and Josie offer their thoughts on what they have learned from other climbers that Kris has spoken with on his podcast and how Josie has addressed these on an organizational level.
Josie also dives into her role as executive director of the Central Wyoming Climbers Alliance. We talk through the organization’s mission and its latest projects, including opportunities for youth to climb the Grand Teton and tackling controversial route names in the Lander area.
Tune in to hear more of this lively discussion with Kris and Josie about being better climbers and local Lander happenings.
5:23- Kris’ intro
14:16- Josie’s intro
21:22- Founding of Power Company Climbing
30:19- WyoClimbers support for underserved communities
33:43- Working with the local guide service in Lander
35:22- Kris’ biggest lessons from podcasting
40:06- Takeaways from our mutual podcast guests
43:16- Josie’s opportunities to discuss these matters
46:46- The power of words
52:13- Route naming and other harmful words
1:03:30- Are Kris and Josie hopeful for the future?
1:05:53- The Central Wyoming Climbers Alliance/WyoClimbers
1:11:53- The BARF- Bolt and Anchor Replacement Fund
1:16:04- How climbers can stay engaged in advocacy
Kris’ Instagram: @powercompanyclimbing
Power Company Climbing: https://www.powercompanyclimbing.com/
Josie’s Instagram:@josie_mckee_
Central Wyoming Climbers Alliance: http://www.wyomingclimbers.org/
International Climbers Festival: https://www.climbersfestival.org/
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
