Photo by Danny Skilton
The Global Climbing Initiative’s best practices project has gathered the voices of climbing leaders around the world to shape the future development of our sport.
As climbing grows, it is having incredible economic, social, and environmental impacts. Climbers are creating new hotspots for ecotourism, building tight-knit communities, advocating for the conservation of natural areas, and using our sport to uplift and inspire.
In our work partnering with local climbing communities, we’ve connected with many climbing leaders paving the way with innovative insights on:
Indigenous perspectives
Crag development & maintenance
Environmental conservation
Equity & inclusivity
Community engagement
Economic impact
Building climbing organizations
We believe that the best way for climbers to thrive is through unity and knowledge sharing within the global climbing community. Therefore, we launched the best practices project, with the goal of spreading information that will help climbers everywhere harness the most powerful positive impacts of our sport.
Available Chapters
Global Contributors
Dozens of contributors from 14 countries have stepped up as authors, peer reviewers, editors, and photographers to shape chapters on the development of climbing areas and communities.
Alejandro Medina
Escalando Fronteras
Mexico
Algin Amores
Climbing Developer
Philippines/United States
Angela Cecil
Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition
United States
Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard
Indigenous Field Guide
Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition
United States
Chris McNamara
SuperTopo
OutdoorGearLab
United States
Claire Burkhardt
Atlas Fellow
United States
Dani Dobrot
The Global Climbing Initiative
United States
Daniel Dunn
Southeast Climbers Coalition
United States
Diana Alexa Gómez Cavieres
Uma Rumi
Peru
Dolci Mascolo
Western Massachusetts Climbing Coalition
Community Ascension - Collaborative Climbing Project
United States
Dom Pascariello
Paradox Sports
United States
Dream Higher
Youth Empowerment Nonprofit
South Africa
Emilie Hernandez
Texas Lady Crushers
United States
Felipe Armijo
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Mexico
Georgia Harrison
University of Idaho and Appalachian State University
United States
Greg Orton
Southwest Oregon Climbers Coalition
United States
Heather Distad
Access Fund
United States
James Maples
University of Eastern Kentucky
United States
Jamie Sookprasong
Washington Climbers Coalition
United States
Jason Ogasian
Tahoe Climbers Coalition
United States
Jax Mack
The Crag Collective
United States
Juan Diego Shoobridge
Uma Rumi
Peru
Kate Beezley
Boulder Climbing Community
United States
Katya Ortíz
Escalada Sustentable
Mexico
Kika Bradford
Acceso PanAm
Confederação Brasileira de Montanhismo e Escalada
Brazil
Laura Schujers
University of Melbourne
Australia
Liz Ndindi
Climbing Life Kenya
Kenya
Mara Brcic Bello
Uma Rumi
Peru
Massimo Cappuccio
Climbing Developer
Italy
Marias Rubio
Uma Rumi
Peru
Dr. Mike Bradley
Arkansas Tech University
United States
Mohammad Havaledar
UIAA
Iran
Nicolás Romero Moreno
Uma Rumi
Peru
Peter Horgan
Gunnison Valley Climbers
Access Fund Climbing Advocate Podcast
United States
Riley Edwards
Climbing QTs
Australia
Rob Schorr
Climbers for Bat Conservation
Colorado State University
United States
Ryan Brown
Thacher Climbing Coalition
United States
Ryan Kuehn
Boulder Climbing Community
United States
Dr. Ryan Sharp
Kansas State University
United States
Samantha Symonds
Editor
United Kingdom
Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds
Kānaka Climbers
United States/Kingdom of Hawaii
Taimur Ahmad
Access Fund
United States
Tiffany Hensley
Mountains Beyond Borders
United States
Tim Bruns
Wadi Climbing
United States
Tim Golden
Bishop Area Climbers Coalition
United States
Tyler Algeo
Climb Malawi
The Global Climbing Initiative
Canada
Tyler Myers
Wadi Climbing
United States
Ulf Fuchslueger
theCrag
Switzerland
Veronica Baker
The Global Climbing Initiative
United States
Wan Panitan Jutiporn
Khon Kaen Climbing Festival
Thailand
Xander Bianchi
Rigging for Rescue
Ouray Ice Park
United States
Zachary Lesch-Huie
Access Fund
United States
Zuleyma Rincón
Escalada Sustentable
Mexico