montypiton Posted May 27, 2009 Posted May 27, 2009 I'll see what support I can drum up among the dry-siders. We owe everybody one after all the help we got with the Peshastin Pinnacles... Quote
billcoe Posted May 27, 2009 Posted May 27, 2009 PROGRESS! THIS IS GREAT! "Access Fund and Washington Climbers Coalition Secure an Option to Purchase Lower Index Town Wall in Washington Submitted By: Nick Wilder on May 26, 2009 The Access Fund announced today that an option agreement to purchase the 20-acre private inholding at the Lower Index Town Walls of Snohomish County, Washington has been secured. This popular rock climbing area boasts several hundred quality granite climbing routes and is only an hour drive from Seattle. Its proximity to a major metropolitan area and its short 5-minute approach from the trailhead make this cliff line a popular after work or after school climbing destination for the Seattle-Everett area. The Lower Index Town Wall was closed earlier this year when local climbers saw No Trespassing signs suddenly posted around the cliff. The private landowner revoked access to the property after quarrying companies began displaying renewed interest in quarrying and granite removal. The structure of ownership for the property changed to a limited liability corporation, and the landowner began negotiations for sale of the property to two interested quarrying companies. Upon news of this from the landowner, climbers quickly turned this threat into an opportunity. The Access Fund and Washington Climbers Coalition rallied together to research quarry regulations, comparable sales, and title history to determine the best path forward. Negotiations soon began to determine a fair market price and terms for a potential acquisition of the property by the climbing community. Jonah Harrison, member of the Washington Climbers Coalition and volunteer regional coordinator for the Access Fund led negotiations with the landowner, with support from Joe Sambataro, Access Director at the Access Fund. Matt Perkins, Darryl Cramer, and Andy Fitz of Washington Climbers Coalition also played critical support roles. After weeks of negotiations, the landowner agreed to an initial payment of $10,000 for an Option Agreement to purchase the property within 18 months. This agreement gives the Washington Climbers Coalition the sole right to purchase the property for long-term management, or assign the property to Washington State Parks. This option payment is made possible by a loan from the Access Fund, giving the Washington Climbers Coalition and the local climbing community the time and ability to fundraise toward a set goal. The American Alpine Club, as well as countless others, have offered their fundraising expertise to help complete the purchase. The Access Fund will continue to play a lead role with the Washington Climbers Coalition in transaction management, title work, and fundraising. While the Option Agreement is secured and purchase price is set, there are other longer term issues that need to be addressed at this popular cliff. “Project Index” will address proper sanitation and parking. A preliminary wetland study is already underway to determine if a new parking area and vault toilet can be located on State Park land in a central area for access to both the Lower Wall and Upper Wall. Announcements of the final fundraising goal are expected to be released by August of this year. In the meantime, the private landowner has agreed to reinstate public access during the 18-month option period, a privilege the climbing community can appreciate as summer in the Pacific Northwest unfolds. For more information, contact Jonah Harrison at jonahv10@gmail.com or Joe Sambataro at joe@accessfund.org. Visit http://www.washingtonclimbers.org for new updates. History of the area The Lower Index Town Wall and surrounding cliffs have a climbing history going back nearly 50 years. The cliffs are beloved by sport climbers, traditional climbers, aid climbers and boulderers alike. Throughout the early part of the 20th century, the landowner’s family quarried parts of the Lower Town Wall for granite until the Burlington Northern railroad moved closer to the wall in the 1960s. Quarrying was put on hold, but ownership was maintained by the family heirs. Initial attempts were made by Washington State Parks and the Access Fund in 1999 to transfer the property to state park ownership, yet its high potential mineral value impeded any action at the time. About the Access Fund Since 1991, the Access Fund has been the only 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 http://www.accessfund.org." Quote
Jens Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 Great news! ---------------------- Jake, those are some amazing photos. That city park shot is my favorite. You've got some talent. Quote
Matt_Alford Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 If all ya'all mofos out there aren't members of the Access Fund, do you need any more reason to join!?!?! Membership makes sense and secures the future of climbing right here in our own backyard! Quote
olyclimber Posted June 6, 2009 Author Posted June 6, 2009 http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/travel/stories/NW_060409WAB-index-granite-KS.4b774994.html Quote
olyclimber Posted June 15, 2009 Author Posted June 15, 2009 Can't say I've looked forward to spending money as much as this before. think of how expensive it would be to build a climbing wall this cool. Quote
olyclimber Posted June 15, 2009 Author Posted June 15, 2009 While the Option Agreement is secured and purchase price is set, there are other longer term issues that need to be addressed at this popular cliff. “Project Index” will address proper sanitation and parking. A preliminary wetland study is already underway to determine if a new parking area and vault toilet can be located on State Park land in a central area for access to both the Lower Wall and Upper Wall. Announcements of the final fundraising goal are expected to be released by August of this year. In the meantime, the private landowner has agreed to reinstate public access during the 18-month option period, a privilege the climbing community can appreciate as summer in the Pacific Northwest unfolds. I'm not sure yet, but the purchase price is set and there is an option to buy in place. Quote
olyclimber Posted July 2, 2009 Author Posted July 2, 2009 http://www.washingtonclimbers.org/IndexFund/ Check it out! We are kicking thing off. There will be multiple fundraising efforts going on, but this is the beginning. You can donate using Paypal without actually having a Paypal account (just using a credit card). There will be more information forthcoming, watch the link above for updates. Thanks!!! Quote
andyrew Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 Does anyone think that putting up a sign in the LTW parking lot indicating situation and funds needed would be useful? If the methheads wouldn't steal the stamps, we could even maybe get a weatherproof box (like the ones that contain real estate flyers) and put a pile of stamped evelopes addressed to the WCCC. I would be willing to do the legwork on this if people think it's worthwhile. Ton of people out there on Saturday enjoying the beautiful weather and climbing. Index is so steep, clean, burly and excellent! Quote
pink Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 So how much do we need to raise? say my name... and i will tell you... Quote
Crillz Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 I dunno, maybe it's already happening, but... Somone in the know should talk to Black Diamond,5.10, etc. to see if they will donate some cash. Quote
pink Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 climbers should donate cash, arent there any washed up climbers who directed there abilities to making money... i'll donate a bit... even though i never have climbed... Quote
John Frieh Posted July 27, 2009 Posted July 27, 2009 Does the Paypal receipt indicate that the donation is going to a 501c3 organization? I.e. does it cite the WCC as the benefactor or does it list Index Fund? Quote
olyclimber Posted July 27, 2009 Author Posted July 27, 2009 Hi John, good questions! The WCC is a non-profit (501c3) and you WILL be able to write off your donation to the fund. We filled out the necessary paperwork with PayPal so we're getting a discount on their rate,but I'm not sure that your receipt will indicate it or not. The money is going to the WCC, but is earmarked for use only with the IndexFund purchase and costs associated with that land purchase. Quote
olyclimber Posted July 27, 2009 Author Posted July 27, 2009 I just donated some money and the reciept indicates that the money is going to "Washington Climbers Coalition" and "Reference: Index Fund". As I said, the WCC is a 501c3, so this receipt will be deductible for taxes. From the WCC site: "Donations are Tax Deductible. The Washington Climbers Coalition is a non-profit public charity, qualified as a 501©(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service. Our EIN is 42-1644686. Talk to your tax preparer for more information on this." Quote
kurthicks Posted July 14, 2010 Posted July 14, 2010 how much is left until we hit the magic $300,000 goal? ----- Contact Joe Sambataro Phone: (303) 545-6772 E-mail: joe@accessfund.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington Climbers Coalition pays off Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign loan for Index, returning funds to the revolving loan program Boulder, CO, July 9, 2010 -- The Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment, announced today that the Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) has paid back its loan to the Access Fund for the option agreement on Lower Index Town Wall in Washington. The loan was administered under the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign (AFLCC). In the spring of 2009, the Access Fund loaned the WCC $15,000 to secure an 18-month option agreement to protect the Lower Index Town Wall and surrounding crags from a quarrying operation. The option agreement protected the area while the WCC worked to raise the $300,000 needed to purchase and steward the 20-acre tract of land. Over the last year and a half, climbers from all over the nation worked together to raise the funds to purchase the Lower Index Town Wall—fundraising through bouldering competitions, slideshows, and major donor requests. “The community response has been incredible,” says Jonah Harrison of the WCC. “The challenge with Index was not, as we had originally thought, getting people together to work and donate to the cause. It was how to channel all the talent, enthusiasm, and funds people offered.” We are happy to report that WCC has nearly reached its fundraising goal and is well positioned to purchase the property before the December 31, 2010 deadline. The WCC submitted its final loan repayment to the Access Fund on June 22, 2010—returning the original $15,000 to the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign where it will be loaned back out to save other climbing areas. “It has been exciting to work so closely with the WCC and see the AFLCC’s first loan fully revolve back into the fund,” states the Access Fund’s Joe Sambataro. The WCC is still working to reassign the land to a climber friendly public owner (such as Washington State Parks or the County), to secure access across the railroad tracks, and to find a suitable location for parking improvements and toilet facilities. With each step, the WCC is closer to securing permanent access for future generations of climbers. About the Access Fund Founded in 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 2.3 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. Quote
RaisedByPikas Posted July 15, 2010 Posted July 15, 2010 http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100715/NEWS01/707159881/1099/SPORTS Quote
mattp Posted July 16, 2010 Posted July 16, 2010 We have presently collected $228,000 or so. We have grant applications still out and pledges still to materialize and I'm not sure that we can be confident that we have reached our goal as of today but we are certainly close. We ARE going to purchase the Lower Town Wall and all funds collected will go toward the permanent preservation of this climbing gem. Any last minute tip over the edge will be appreciated! Quote
genepires Posted July 16, 2010 Posted July 16, 2010 that is a lot of cash and a sign of the great job put forth by so many people. Quote
Bronco Posted July 16, 2010 Posted July 16, 2010 Great job by everyone involved in this venture! Quote
Crillz Posted August 27, 2010 Posted August 27, 2010 Seen on the taco stand that WA Climbers Coalition bought LTW! Quote
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