Washington Climbers Coalition

Mission

The Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) works to preserve and support public access to cliffs and boulders around Washington state, and to care for the places where we climb so they may be enjoyed now and in the future. In pursuit of these goals we work as partners with land managers, recreational groups, elected representatives, conservation organizations, and climbers.

Description

For 22 years you have helped us keep climbing areas open and helped launch new ones as well. We've improved access trails, helped manage public lands for wildlife protection, and advised land managers on how to work with outdoor user groups to take care of the land. 

• We have coordinated thousands of hours of volunteer effort, and you may have joined us for a trail project, crag cleanup, climbing festival, or a bouldering comp - or you may have used one of our trails at locations around the state. 
• We have installed toilets and paid for porta potty maintenance as several areas - including Index, Mazama, Leavenworth, and Frenchman Coulee. You may have used one of our toilets.
• We have kept climbing open at areas that would otherwise have been closed - notably at Darrington and Index, and we have raised money to support the purchase of private property for public access at other locations - notably near Leavenworth. You may have climbed at some of these locations. 

On average we spend $25,000 a year on stewardship projects and education and your donations go directly into helping us with these projects.

The WCC Board includes attorneys, engineers, outdoor industry representatives and more with over 275 years of combined climbing experience. We are a volunteer-run organization and your donations go directly to program activities.

2026 at a Glance

Lower Town Wall to be a State Park

The Lower Town Wall, near Index, has been one of Washington’s most popular climbing destinations for 60 years. In 2009, the private property owner put up no-trespassing signs, and the WCC worked with partner groups including the Access Fund, the American Alpine Club, and the Mountaineers to raise funds and purchase that property. The WCC installed a toilet and improved trails to make climbing there more sustainable in preparation for transferring that property to Washington State Parks. In addition, we negotiated a climbing management plan and a transfer agreement which will insure that the property is managed as a climbing park serving now and forever. We transferred the first of two properties to Washington State parks on 2/26/2026.

Climbing Stewards

Climbing areas near Leavenworth and Mazama have been popular for 75 years and they see more and more climbers every year. The Wenatchee National Forest has supported climbing here and we are taking a big step forward to help them with this task: the WCC is supporting the Access Fund in launching a climbing steward program at these areas in 2026. Climbers will be on site to help you find that obscure boulder or otherwise support access as they promote sustainable climbing practices.

Trailwork

The WCC has been executing trail projects at climbing areas throughout the state for over twenty years. This year, we will do trailwork at Index and the Tieton River, along with other projects to be announced. The Athletic Brewing Company has provided a generous $7,000 grant to support these efforts.

Bolt Replacement Program

Bad bolts are dangerous! The WCC continues to train climbers in anchor replacement techniques and distribute hardware to replace aging climbing anchors. Your support powers the WCC.

Recognition

Thank you to our partners: the Access Fund, The American Alpine Club, and the Mountaineers as well as our state chapter partner organization the Olympic Peninsula Climbers, the Methow Valley Climbers, and Yakimaclimbingscene.

Project partners include:
Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, Access Fund, Athletic Brewing, Black Diamond,  Figurehead Brewing, Seattle Bouldering Project, Vertical World, Half Moon, Edgeworks, Momentum, Uplift, Washington Alpine Club, American Alpine Institute, Mountains to Sound Greenway, Darrington Friends for Public Use, North Cascades Mountain Guides, Methow Trails, Leavenworth Mountain Association, Northwest Outward Bound School, National Forest Foundation, Washington Wild, The Wilderness Society, Washington Trails Association,  Solid Rock Climbers for Christ and Northwest Mountain School.