The Appalachian Mountain Club Leads the Charge to Help Protect Rumney’s Final Frontier

September 22, 2016

September 22nd, 2016 – Rumney, NH – Two local chapters of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) announced today that they are stepping up to help The Rumney Climber’s Association (RCA) and Access Fund secure and preserve the “Final Frontier” and Northwest Crags.

The AMC New Hampshire Chapter & Mountaineering Committee and the AMC Boston Chapter & Mountaineering Committee announced that they will both be making significant donations to the Final Frontier Project. The AMC chapters’ donations will be made as a public and corporate challenge based on dollar for dollar matching contributions. You give a dollar, the AMC matches, the Final Frontier gets two dollars.

The Cause:

The RCA and The Access Fund have secured the exclusive right to purchase Rumney’s Northwest Crags for permanent conservation and climbing access. The Northwest Crags are the final set of privately owned climbing resources at the central New Hampshire sport climbing mecca. Now we need the community’s help to raise $300,000 for the purchase and stewardship of Rumney’s Northwest Crags.

The RCA is poised to acquire and permanently protect 86 acres which includes six crags— including Northwest Territories, Buffalo Pit, Northwest Passage, Prudential, Asylum, and western portion of the Black Jack Boulders—which account for approximately 12% of developed routes at Rumney, with potential for more. A small percentage of this land has existing and potential climbing opportunities.  So, yes, the Final Frontier is about climbing, however in the greater context, it is an opportunity to ensure that this land remains undeveloped and wild. Preserving our wild and natural spaces is a major goal of the RCA, Access Fund, and Final Frontier project.

The Final Frontier project not only benefits climbers, it benefits other outdoor enthusiasts as well. One of the goals of the Final Frontier will be the increased opportunity for hiking. The Rattlesnake Mountain Trail offers some of the most amazing views in the Southern White Mountains. The long-term plan is for a new parking lot just east of the Rattlesnake Mountain trailhead. From this parking lot, a trail will lead up to the Final Frontier crags with access to spectacular vistas not previously accessed by any trail. This trail will continue along the mountaintop to eventually connect with the Rattlesnake Mountain trail.

The Challenge:

The AMC- NH Chapter will match dollar for dollar contributions made between now and December 31, 2016, up to $15,000.00. This challenge is to ALL corporations, organizations and individuals.

The AMC – Boston Chapter will match dollar for dollar contributions made between now and December 31, 2016, up to $10,000.00. This challenge is to ALL corporations, organizations and individuals.

What can you do to help us secure this $25,000 of funding? Donate! Help us close the gap and realize this unbelievably generous offer! Tell all your climbing, hiking and outdoorsy friends! Tell all your favorite gear manufacturers! Tell the company you work for! Please spread the word! With your help, we will secure the Final Frontier for all future generations (of wildlife and humans)!

Please Make a Contribution Today at:  www.climbrumney.com/cause/finalfrontier

Or mail your donation to:

The RCA
P.O. Box 375
Plymouth, NH 03264

General Information:

Please consider supporting these great organizations. Learn about all the incredible things they do and get involved.

The AMC:

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. AMC helps people of all ages and abilities to explore and develop a deep appreciation of the natural world. With chapters from Maine to Washington, D.C., guidebooks and maps, and unique lodges and huts, AMC helps people get outdoors on their own, with family and friends, and through activities close to home and beyond. AMC invites the public to support its conservation advocacy and research, youth programming, and care of 1,800 miles of trails. More information is available at:

www.outdoors.org
www.facebook.com/AppalachianMountainClub
Twitter:  @AppMtnClub
http://www.outdoors.org/pdf/upload/AMC-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Contacts:

Rob Burbank, Director of Media & Public Affairs
rburbank@outdoors.org
(603) 466-8155

Laura Hurley, Public Relations & Social Media Director
lhurley@outdoors.org
(617) 391-6621

Thomas Sintros,AMC – NH Chapter
tsintros@gmail.com

Eric Engberg, AMC – Boston Chapter
ehengberg@gmail.com

Bill Warren, AMC – NH Chapter
bill.warren@staggs-warren.com

Paul Dale, AMC – Boston Chapter
paulbdale@gmail.com

The RCA:

The Rumney Climbers Association is a nationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit and represents a large community of climbers with the common goal of preserving the climbing resource located on Rattlesnake Mountain. RCA was formed during the early 1990s when Rumney needed to secure access to critical cliffs. Through collaborative efforts and education, RCA works to ensure that the impact and influence rock climbers have on this natural resource is positive! Learn more at: www.climbrumney.com

Contacts:

David Quinn, Co-President
Rumney Climber’s Association
dave@climbrumney.com
603-731-9700

The Access Fund:

The Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. Founded in 1991, the Access Fund supports and represents millions of climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and bouldering. Six core programs support the mission on national and local levels: climbing management policy, stewardship and conservation, local support and mobilization, land acquisition and protection, risk management and landowner support, and education. Since 1991, the Access Fund has supported 62 land acquisitions by land trusts, public entities, and local climbing organizations, totaling 17,078 acres across twenty-seven states. For more information: www.accessfund.org

Contacts:

Joe Sambataro, Access Director
Access Fund
joe@accessfund.org
425-218-8234

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