Enjoy rock climbing in Logan Canyon? Fundraiser for Access Fund is April 11

By Victoria Grandinetti

April 1, 2008 | You feel like you're standing on top of the world. Blue skies seem to go on forever, accompanied by the warm sun preparing to set in the clear blue sky. Beads of perspiration are dripping down your body. Overwhelmed with both satisfaction and exhaustion you take a deep breath of fresh air.

Just minutes ago you were in the middle of the hardest climb you have ever done. Your muscles were straining, your mind racing, just to get one foot higher up the sheer rock wall. Now, while taking in your great accomplishment, you are mentally preparing for the swift repel down the rock. This could easily be described as every rock climber's natural high.

Whether your skill level is amateur or advanced, rock climbing is a sport that anyone can develop a passion for. Logan, Utah is the perfect city to develop that passion.

According to byways.org "If you take a drive on Logan Canyon's Scenic Byway, you'll notice dramatic limestone and quartzite cliffs towering above you on both sides of the road.70,000 years ago, Lake Bonneville carved and polished walls out of 500 million year-old rock, forming overhanging caves, soaring spires and sheer cliffs. While these are pleasant to look at, they're an absolute riot to climb. With towering multiple pitch climbs, sublimely difficult caves, and a great top roping area for beginners, whether you are just beginning or extremely advanced, Logan Canyon's allure to the climbing community is irresistible."

Byways.org stated that for "the hard core climbers China Wall Cave is the canyon's crown jewel. Dramatically overhung and featuring practically nonexistent holds, the rock is coated with chalk from thousands of gnarled fingers, and the ground is littered with broken spirits and shattered dreams."

China Wall Cave is also the home to the Maguire primrose (Primula maguirei); this rose just happens to be on the endangered plant list and was a big enough deal to get this climb closed off.

So what happens when Denver, Colorado: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services tried to shut down one of the most popular climbs in Northern Utah? This is when an organization called The Access Fund steps in and takes action. The Access Fund is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 1989. Their mission statement is to keep climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment.

Typically, projects are developed which involve not only land purchases but also providing financial and legal resources to local climbers' coalitions, construction of reduced impact trails, volunteer clean-ups of popular climbing areas, installation of sanitary facilities, funding of scientific studies, and publication of educational materials.

The Access Fund was able to keep China Wall Cave open while still respecting the primrose. There is now an information site dedicated to the Maguire primrose in Logan Canyon to inform climbers about the endangered plant. The Access Fund has also improved on many other climbs in Logan Canyon.

Ken Carlson, a dedicated rock climber and a junior majoring in business marketing at Utah State University, felt that it was time to start giving back to the Access Fund. Ken and some of his class mates needed to organize a fund raiser for a class and when Ken suggested a fund raiser for The Access Fund no one had any complaints.

The fund raiser will be held on April 11 at the Rock Haus. There will be an eight dollar charge at the door.

When asked about the fund raiser Ken replied. "Trevor, the owner of the Rock Haus is going to let us rent it out for free so the money we make at the door will go straight to the fund raiser. We also have sponsors like Als sporting goods, Petzl, and Black Diamond helping us with raffle prizes."

The main event of the night will be held by Joe Kinder. Joe is a professional rock climber from the East Coast and is currently living in Salt Lake City.

"Joe is seriously the bomb. He is going to be helping us out at the fund raiser by showing a slide show/movie premier of his new movie spray, Joe is the featured climber in the move, and then he will be doing some Q&A." Ken said.

One hundred percent of the fund raiser money will be going directly to The Access Fund with hopes that the Access Fund will put some of the proceeds back into Logan Canyon.

"I am hoping that the Access Fund will use the money to provide new hardware for the canyon and make it a safer environment for climbers." Ken said. "I feel that this fund raiser is the least I could do for The Access Fund with how much they have done and continue to do for the community.

The Access Fund has definitely made big improvements and continues to improve Logan's rock climbing environment. The organization envisions a "future in which climbing and access to climbing resources are viewed as legitimate, valued, and positive uses of land; where climbers respect and appreciate the places they climb so that climbing environment is conserved for current and future generations."

With these visions Logan Canyon should remain home to the most popular climbs in Northern Utah.

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HM