08/14/2026
Every pristine piece of sandstone, every well-maintained approach trail, and every safe anchor we clip into doesn’t just happen by magic. It exists because climbers step up to protect, maintain, and advocate for the places we love.
For the last 9 years, I’ve had the absolute honor of serving on the board and as President of the Arkansas Climbers Coalition (ARCC). Per our bylaws, August marks the end of my time on the board—and while stepping down is bittersweet, it’s a powerful reminder of why community involvement is so vital. Organizations need fresh energy, new perspectives, and passionate voices to keep moving forward.
Whether it’s securing access right here in Arkansas or protecting public lands across the United States, climbing advocacy is a team sport. Groups like the ARCC and our national partners at the Access Fund rely on everyday climbers—people like you—to keep these places open and thriving.
You don’t need years of experience or technical skills to make a massive impact. Community stewardship takes all kinds of hands:
🔵Show up for trail days to keep our crag environments clean and sustainable.
🔵Be an advocate by practicing Leave No Trace and mentoring new climbers.
🔵Step up to serve on the ARCC board, volunteer committees, or at events—your unique skills are always needed!
🔵Support access organizations through membership or donations.
Our climbing community is only as strong as our willingness to care for it. I’m stepping down from the board, but I’m not going anywhere—and I can’t wait to support our next ARCC President. JD Borgeson, and the Community.
Ready to get involved? Drop a comment, shoot me a message David Thompson or reach out to the ARCC to see how you can lend a hand.
Let’s keep Arkansas climbing strong!
-David Thompson David Thompson
