We acknowledge the history and continued efforts of climbers, community-based affinity groups, and leading voices who have advocated tirelessly for action.
We hope to go forward with you.
This timeline aims to provide transparency into Climb United's progress and a look at the work we have planned for the future.
Where We've Been
2020
August | The American Alpine Club (AAC), Mazamas, Mountaineers, and Colorado Mountain Club release Joint Statement on Climbing Route Naming, denouncing harmful and derogatory route names.
REI and the AAC begin formal discussion about strategies to evolve the practice of route naming and promote a more inclusive climbing culture.
September | Eddie Bauer and the AAC begin conversations about route naming and climbing culture. The AAC proposes Climb United, a two-year initiative to accelerate cultural transformation in climbing.
March
20 representatives from 12 publications and guidebooks convene to discuss diversity and inclusion in the climbing community and their role in creating change.
In mid-March, 23 publishers, affinity group leaders, and other members of the climbing community unite as the Climb United Route Naming Task Force (RNTF). They meet to identify core principles to anchor the development of draft guidelines for publishing route names
Informed by input from the RNTF, the AAC develops a draft of Industry-wide Guidelines for Publishing Climbing Route Names
Adidas Outdoor signs on as a Climb United corporate partner.
Where We Are Going
Based on community feedback, all upcoming work is subject to change in scope, content and timing.
2021
April | The Route Name Task Force will host a public forum on April 12 at 6 p.m. MDT (LINK TK).
All climbers and community members are invited to engage with AAC CEO Mitsu Iwasaki and the Task Force members
May | First version of Industry-wide Principles and Guidelines for Publishing Climbing Route Names finalized by Route Name Task Force and shared with the public.
2021 - 2022
Industry-wide Principles and Guidelines for Publishing Climbing Route Names adopted and voluntarily put into practice by publishers; supporting the development and expansion of new or existing tools.
2021
June | Climb United Working Group comprising climbers, affinity group representatives, publishers, and industry leaders will convene.
The goal is to guide the development of a crowd-sourced Climbers’ Code of Conduct, advise on the structure and content of the Climb United Summit and Forums, and formulate recommendations for ongoing work.
2021 - 2022
Climb United Forums will convene small groups of climbers, affinity groups, industry representatives, and other stakeholders at local events in various regions and cities to learn, share, and plan collaborative action.
2022
Summer 2022 | Host the Climb United Summit and introduce the Climbers’ Code of Conduct.
This timeline is indicative of the tangible work that has taken place from the point of formalization forward. It does not directly represent the years of work that inspired and led to Climb United’s creation.
The climbing community and the American Alpine Club are indebted to the climbers, community-based affinity groups, and leading voices among us who have advocated tirelessly for years for action.
Got Questions?
Contact us at climbunited@americanalpineclub.org
Photography credits in order of appearance: Photo by Jason Gebauer | Tonde San on his project, Amandla (5.13d) at the Lower Town Wall, Index, WA. (Snohomish, Tulaip, Pugest Sound Salish lands) Photo by AAC member Andy Wickstrom | Photo by Brian Meyer | Photo by AAC Member Sterling Boin | Photo by Unknown | Photo by Unknown | Photo by Bryan Miller | Photo by Andrew Burr | Photo by AAC Member Sterling Boin | Photo by AAC Member Andy Wickstrom