by Alicia MacLeay
Like it or not, the holiday shopping season has begun. Buying gear for yourself is fun. Buying gear for others can be hard, unless you know your hiking or climbing partner very well (Hey, I just thought you could use some new, non-stinky socks, no offense).
For an all-around, feel-good gift, consider supporting your friend's outdoor passion with a gift membership.
If you have a climber on your gift list, check out a membership in the Access Fund. The Access Fund is a non-profit that works to keep climbing spots open and accessible and helps conserve the climbing environment for all forms of climbing: rock, ice, mountaineering, and bouldering (Trailspace is an Access Fund supporter).
Access Fund memberships start at just $35, but you can make a bigger impression with an Access Fund holiday package:
The Access Fund Super Holiday Package ($95)
Basic Holiday Package ($75)
One-year Access Fund membership, Access Fund organic cotton T-shirt from prAna, Metolius Climber’s Hand Repair Balm, Osprey Pack Repair Kit, The North Face/Access Fund logo beanie, Omega Pacific biner, Petzl mug, half pound of your favorite Higher Ground Roasters’ Access Fund Brew, and seasonal CLIF Bars.
Super Holiday Package ($95)
The Basic Holiday Package (above) plus, new Falcon Guides title Maximum Climbing: Mental Training for Peak Performance and Optimal Experience, Black Diamond Shot pack, and Omega Pacific locking biner.
