Outdoor Stewardship
Climb with care.
leave it better.
Climbing reminds us we’re all connected—to the rock, the land, and each other.
And this reminds us of our responsibility.
At Touchstone, we believe the joy of climbing isn’t just about reaching new heights—it’s about how we show up for the people and places that make climbing possible. From supporting local coalitions to building educational tools and cleaning up the crags ourselves, we’re committed to caring for our outdoor spaces.
Explore the sections below to get clear understanding of what we’re doing, why we do it, and the impact we’re having.
Our Impact: Giving back to the land and Community
Since the beginning, Touchstone has been more than just a collection of gyms. We’ve always worked to protect and preserve the outdoor spaces that inspire us. Our commitment shows up in the small, consistent actions we take, as well as in the long-term partnerships we continue to build along the way.
Here’s a snapshot of our contributions:
- Long-term donor to the Access Fund
- Founding supporter of the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA)
- Ongoing supporter of the Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) and its Facelift cleanup efforts
- Frequent gym-to-crag clinics and regional clean-up events
- Fundraise for and donate to community organizations and environmental initiatives throughout California—in 2024 alone, we donated $165,640
- Invite local orgs to table at nearly every Touchstone event
- Sharing Access Fund, BACC, and other educational resources in our gyms and online
- Helping fund the first climbing ranger in Yosemite
Spotlight:
Stewarding the buttermilks
Each year, thousands of climbers travel to the Buttermilks—drawn by world-class bouldering, sweeping Eastern Sierra views, and the deep sense of history that lives in the land.
As visitation grew, we wanted to do our part to help steward this special place. Thus was born a collaborative effort to educate and inspire responsible climbing for generations to come: the Buttermilks Kiosk.
We’re proud to have partnered with activists, Indigenous leaders, and local organizations to bring this project to life, including:
- Jolie Varela of Indigenous Women Hike
- Matt Ulery, founder of Bay Area Climbers Coalition
- Payahuunadü Alliance
- Bishop Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Friends of the Inyo
- Bishop Area Climbers Coalition
- Access Fund
Touchstone Tips: Learn to be a better steward
Whether you’re new to outdoor climbing or a seasoned sender, we all have a role to play in taking care of the places we love.
Our Touchstone Tips Outdoors video series offers quick, practical reminders for how to minimize your impact and be a respectful member of the climbing community.
watch the series
Park Mindfully
Clean your tick marks
Taking care of business — the right way
Crags aren’t doggy daycare
Leave it better
When you’re ready to take your commitment further, visit your local climbing organization’s website or sign the Access Fund’s Climber’s Pact to pledge your support for responsible climbing.
regional best
practices: Respect
Every REgion
Each climbing area in California has its own ecosystem, history, and challenges.
Before you head outside, take a moment to learn how to climb responsibly in the region you’re visiting.
These local best practices were developed with our partners across the state. Please follow them to help keep access open for everyone.
Bay Area & Los Angeles
From sandstone boulders to ocean-side cliffs, these urban oases are precious and fragile:
- Wait at least 3 sunny days before climbing on wet sandstone
- Stay on trail and keep pads off vegetation
- Respect closures and wildlife
- Keep noise low and share the space
- Carpool when you can — parking is limited
- Bring a WAG bag and pack it out
Local orgs:
Bay Area Climbers Coalition | SoCal Climbers Coalition
Yosemite National Park
World-renowned for its immense, glacially polished granite, Yosemite National Park is the rock climber’s Mecca. It deserves care worthy of its legacy:
- Camp only in designated areas
- Use toilets or pack it out
- Remove trash and old slings from anchors
- Use preexisting trails, tread lightly, and avoid vegetation
- Use preexisting fire rings and windbreaks
- Put out your fire
- Follow Peregrine Falcon closures
- Keep the wilderness wild — don’t feed animals
Learn more:
NPS Yosemite Climbing | Yosemite Climbing Association | Yosemite Conservancy
Bishop & the Eastern Sierra
As an all-season haven for climbers of every type, the Eastern Sierra is one of the most visited climbing regions in the world—and one of the most vulnerable.
- Camp responsibly and use toilets where available
- Brush off tick marks (yours and others’)
- Stay on existing trails
- Keep pets under control–or don’t bring them
- Park in designated areas only
Learn more:
Bishop Climbers Coalition | Friends of the Inyo
Joshua Tree National Park
A sacred and spectacular high-desert national treasure, Joshua Tree’s wild rock formations, otherworldly landscapes, and Dr. Seusesque trees are appreciated by millions each year.
Let’s do our part to preserve, protect, and respect this sacred landscape for all peoples:
- Stay on trail to protect cryptobiotic soils
- Use the many vault toilets (there are 94!)
- Stay hydrated—always bring extra water
- Respect sacred sites and Indigenous lands—First Nations peoples stewarded this land for over 1,000 years before colonization. Cultural resources and sacred sites are plentiful, as 15 tribes have ancestral homelands here. Respect them.
Learn more:
Friends of Joshua Tree
Get Involved
Join the Movement
Stewardship is a shared responsibility. When we act together, we can protect the spaces that bring us so much joy and meaning.
Here are just a few of the incredible organizations leading the way, and some ways you can support them—volunteer, donate, attend a cleanup, and amplify their messages online.
national partners
- Access Fund — Leading advocacy for sustainable access and conservation.
- American Alpine Club — Uniting climbers in respect for the places we climb.
- Yosemite Conservancy — Supporting projects that preserve and enhance Yosemite.
Community Partners
- Trailmothers — Building access and safety through education and stewardship.
- Payahuunadü Alliance — Advocating for Indigenous-led protection of Eastern Sierra lands.
A Shared Responsibility
Climbing gives us so much—joy, challenge, community, and perspective. Let’s give something back.
Every climber has a role to play in keeping our outdoor spaces healthy and accessible. Together, we can make sure these places—and the spirit they connect us with and inspire—endure for generations to come.
Sign the Climber’s Pact, watch our Touchstone Tips, and join us in climbing with care.
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