Community Climbing Initiative

The purpose of the Blue Granite Community Climbing Initiative is to remove barriers to climbing, broaden accessibility to the sport, promote and celebrate inclusivity, and provide under-resourced youth and under-represented populations the opportunity to experience rock climbing.

Our pilot program kicked off in 2023; in our first year we were able to fund or provide scholarships for: 3 youth summer climbing teams (serving 30 participants), 4 private youth lessons, 1 private family lesson, 10 day passes, 4 youth team scholarships, and the routesetting at the new boulder at Ski Run Park which provides free access to climbing for our local community.

We have a great partnership with Boys & Girls Club and Sierra Child & Family Services, helping us to identify and include children and families that would benefit the most from our program. Our program goals are to continue offering opportunities to under-resourced youth, expanding to offer more family and adult opportunities, and offering free educational programming, incorporating outdoor climbing etiquette, Leave No Trace principles, and stewardship as well.

If you have recommendations for additional groups/organizations that we can work with, please email gianna@bluegraniteclimbing.com.

To make a donation to our CCI program, please follow this link to the Tahoe Climbing Coalition (TCC) website. The TCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to protecting and improving climbing in the Lake Tahoe Basin through mentorship and stewardship. Tax-deductible donations to the TCC via this link are earmarked for their community programs and will be allocated to funding our CCI program.

Our main source of funding for this program is our annual Climb-a-Thon Fundraiser. This super fun event incorporates endurance climbing, friendly competition, and supporting our community! Climbers will recruit sponsorships leading up to the event and then climb as many laps as they can in an hour.

There are 3 ways to participate:

• CLIMB. Create a team of up to 4 climbers and register HERE.
• DONATE. Click HERE and choose a team to support with either a flat donation or a “per pitch” donation.
• BELAY. We always need volunteer belayers. You can sign up HERE to participate.