Bay Area Climbers Coalition: Why I Volunteer

I grew up in a household where it was bad to speak up. I was raised to accept things as they are. To never question authority. To never get involved. To never rock the boat. To sit down and be quiet because someone else is always right.

That mentality kind of, sort of stuck with me throughout the years. While I’ve never been fully checked out, I’ve also never dove in deeply to support a cause or an organization. I donate money from time to time. I volunteer from time to time. But I wanted something more.

After last year’s election, I wanted to do something. Now, I run social media for the Bay Area Climbers Coalition.

The Bay Area Climbers Coalition is my perfect intersection of activism and passion. It’s also a great stepping stone for thinking globally and acting locally.

There are a lot of people out there who are like me, kinda interested, but kinda apathetic. I want to inspire them to do just a little bit more, at home and at the crag.

The Bay Area is home to 10+ climbing gyms. Every gym is jam packed on weeknights. That’s a lot of climbers. That’s a lot of impact.

While Bay Area crags are not terrible, most climbers head to destinations like Yosemite, Indian Creek, Red Rock, Bishop, and Joshua Tree, to name a few. These areas are also impacted by the current administration.

Teaching proper ethics and enabling climbers to use their voices ensure that these areas are ours to enjoy for years to come.

It’s not all serious business all the time. The Bay Area Climbers Coalition is filled with a fantastic crew of people, many of whom I’m lucky to now call friends. Whether you need a climbing partner, a ride to a meeting, or just an ear to vent to, they’ve got your back.

The Bay Area Climbers Coalition is looking for board members for 2018! We’ve got a ton of positions open and we’d love to have you join us.

Looking for less commitment? We host Adopt-a-Crags about once a month. Follow us on Instagram or like us on Facebook to stay in the know.