Giving Tuesday: The SCC story & why your membership matters!
In the early days of Southeastern climbing, there were no formal trail days, no access funds, no playbook for how to protect a cliff. There were just climbers who loved the sandstone shelves above the Tennessee River and wanted to keep returning to the places that made them feel alive.
One of those places was Sunset Rock. When access was threatened decades ago, climbers found themselves at a crossroads: accept the risk of losing a beloved crag or come together to defend it. That moment—quiet but powerful—planted a seed. It shifted the local perception of climbers from “outsiders on the bluff” to a community willing to show up, work hard, and take responsibility for the landscapes they cherished.
That spark led to something bigger.
A couple years later, a group of dedicated volunteers transformed that grassroots energy into a new kind of organization. The Southeastern Climbers Coalition officially became a 501(c)(3), solidifying what had already begun: climbers protecting climbing areas, not just for themselves, but for future generations.
Soon after, the SCC faced its first major test. Developers had set their sights on a boulder field outside Atlanta—an area called Boat Rock. Climbers who knew its delicate granite maze knew exactly what the loss would mean. And so, the community rallied. Fundraisers were held. Donations trickled in, then poured in. And against all odds, the SCC purchased its first property, saving Boat Rock from becoming another neighborhood buried under cul-de-sacs and concrete.
That victory became a blueprint. It proved what was possible when climbers organized, collaborated, and believed they had a stake in the future of outdoor access.
Today, that blueprint has grown into something far bigger than the founders ever imagined.
The SCC now owns 9 climbing areas and manages more than 40 across Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. We’ve helped secure access to some of the most iconic boulder fields and cliff lines in the country. We’ve built partnerships with landowners, land trusts, local governments, and conservation organizations. And we’ve watched a community grow—stronger, more connected, and more invested every year.
But even with all this progress, we’re still just scratching the surface. Across the region, there are untouched boulder fields hidden deep in the woods, cliffs that have never been open to the public, and beloved areas facing increasing pressure from development, overcrowding, or changes in land ownership. The work isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s accelerating.
Why This Giving Tuesday Matters
This year, we launched a special Membership Matching Campaign—and the response has already blown us away. Thanks to the generosity of new and renewing members, we hit our $5,000 goal ahead of schedule.
So now we’re aiming higher:
A stretch goal of $15,000 to protect more climbing, more forest, and more access than ever before.
When you join or renew your membership today, your contribution is ensuring that the work gets done and access is protected. Plus, you get a Limited-Edition SCC Hat!
But it’s not just about doubling donations & getting all the perks. Membership is at the heart of our model because it represents something deeper: commitment, participation, and community buy-in.
And it comes with real benefits that keep people engaged—not just with the SCC, but with each other.
What You Get Out of It
Membership is more than a donation; it’s something that tangibly enriches your climbing life. It weaves you into the fabric of Southeastern climbing and hands you the tools, perks, and community that make the experience better.
Some benefits are practical. Maybe you’re the type who loves beta and history—your membership gives you access to free guidebook PDFs for Hospital Boulders, Boat Rock, and Woodcock Cove. That alone has saved countless climbers from wandering in circles looking for “that one arete that’s definitely somewhere over there…”
Or maybe you climb harder when you feel part of something bigger. Each year, members get discounts to our comps like Float the Boat and The Sickness, plus deals at outdoor shops and gyms across the region. The perks stretch far—from 15% off at Burlaep and discounted day passes at High Point, to discounted stays at The Crash Pad and $2 off drafts at The Bitter Alibi (which, let’s be honest, is sometimes the real send that day).
And sometimes the perks are about becoming the strongest version of yourself:
“If you live in Chattanooga, one of the great perks of being an SCC member is the discounted monthly rate at Crux Conditioning. I started going in the spring, and it’s been an awesome way to improve my overall strength, mobility, and joint stability to prep for the climbing season.”
— Annie Graefe
And from our Executive Director’s perspective, membership is what keeps the mission alive:
“The Southeastern Climbers Coalition is extremely fortunate to have a very dedicated army of volunteers. Individuals who don’t think twice about rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to help build a new trail, cut trees, and help at events. However, it’s your membership and donations that keep the SCC wheels turning in-between the exciting announcements and big events. We are a small but mighty organization that constantly moves behind the scenes to help plan out the next community events, manage over 40 different climbing areas, and of course seek out our latest access win or acquisition. This year, when you’re considering where to make your charitable donations, we hope that you will consider making an investment in your own back yard by giving to the Southeastern Climbers Coalition. That way we can continue to grow and support a community that we all care so deeply for!” – Ben Lowe
Being a member ties you into the story that began decades ago at Sunset Rock and carried through the fight for Boat Rock. It connects your climbing days to a legacy of stewardship and ensures that the next generation has the same opportunity to fall in love with these places.
What Your Membership Makes Possible
Memberships fuel every acre we protect, every boulder field we maintain, every crag we keep open. They allow us to negotiate with landowners, steward fragile ecosystems, build sustainable trails, and take action long before access issues become emergencies.
Your membership is what keeps us moving—toward new land acquisitions, toward restoring areas under strain, and toward finally opening the doors to climbing areas the public has never had the chance to explore.
Help Us Reach $15,000 — And Protect the Places That Brought Us Here
Since 1993, climbers have shown what’s possible when they come together. They can save places like Sunset Rock. They can protect Boat Rock. They can secure access for tens of thousands of climbers. And they can continue expanding that legacy for decades to come.
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us—or renew your commitment—as we push toward our $15,000 stretch goal. Every bit of progress is shared. And every one of us has a role in shaping the future of Southeastern climbing.
Become a member. Become a sustaining member. Upgrade, renew, or spread the word.
The cliffs are still waiting. The work continues. And we’re doing it together.